I just love looking at pictures of people's mothers "back in the day"-- I think it's a universal fascination. My mom, Mary, has always been an exceptionally beautiful, well-dressed woman, and these photos of her in what are now "vintage" fashions thrill me to bits. She thinks its really funny that I love her "beehive" hairdo, but I guess that's what happens when you live through history-- if someone today was excited about my perm and teased bangs circa 1984, I would be mystified!
My mom grew up in County Kerry, Ireland, and moved to England for nursing school as a teenager. This was one of few vocations available for women in the late 50s, and it was a job that promised good pay and career opportunities around the world. Many of my aunts took the same path, and nursing brought three of them to the U.S.
In Nursing School in Rochdale, Lanchestershire, England, late 1950s
My mom (far left) and her classmates, Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, Lanchestershire, early 1960s. Nursing school is no piece of cake these days (some of my friends are becoming nurses, so I hear all about it), and at this time things were run basically like boot camp. The head nurse was a terrifying figure, like an army sergeant! The upside was that the students were always fed really well.
Christmas card, early 60s
England, early 60s, with a friend's hairdresser
My mom and my Aunt Betty came to Red Bluff, California, in 1964, having secured positions at the local Catholic Hospital. Red Bluff is in remote far northern California, and it was every bit the "Wild West" they had seen in the movies, with real cowboys and people speaking with a country twang! Here she is in their apartment, decorating the tree.
Passport photo, early 60s- I just love black and white passport photos. They were so glamorous! But then again, so was plane travel...
More pictures coming soon- and a big thanks to my mom and dad, who scanned these photos for me!
she is lovely! i love seeing pictures of everyones moms! :o)
Posted by: Quincy | 02/01/2010 at 12:05 PM
what a treat, i just LOVE old photos! especially of a beautiful sweethearts, beautiful mom!
Posted by: marleah | 02/01/2010 at 12:57 PM
Love this! Sa, your mum looks soooo much like Mary Poole in some of these pictures. Please say you'll post some of Rod as well.
Posted by: Automne | 02/01/2010 at 02:18 PM
Such a cool post. You should enter your mom in my parents were awesome ;) I just love her look and how mature women dressed even in their late teens. Now we all kind of dress like kids. Which is okay, but man those fitted dresses were cute.
Posted by: Milla | 02/01/2010 at 03:59 PM
not only is she stunning, she has a sparkle in her eye
Posted by: hollie may | 02/01/2010 at 07:47 PM
Lanchestershire - I think you mean Lancashire, lol!
Posted by: EdinburghVintage | 02/02/2010 at 04:09 AM
thank you so much for sharing those! i am looking forward to the next batch.
hope you are doing well. xo
Posted by: nicole | 02/02/2010 at 10:30 AM
Yay Sash! I have finally gotten around to putting pics of my mom into WordPress. It is so nice to see where you came from!
Posted by: Violet Folklore | 05/07/2010 at 07:50 PM