Memories of Nell Madigan Sullivan by her Daughter

Helen Sullivan McIntyre, over a period of 10 years, answered questions, glued pictures and in general wrote down her thoughts in a book/journal called The Story of a Lifetime.  Here are a couple of memories about her mother, Nell Sullivan.

What memories do you have of your mother during your childhood?

I had long curls, almost to my shoulders.  Every night before I went to bed she would curl my hair around her finger, then wrap the curls in a piece of white cloth and when I would wake up in the morning my curls were perfect.

Every Friday night I had to take a tablespoon of "syrup of figs" for my bowels.  I hated the taste and had a hard time swallowing it so my Father got some tiny pills instead.  I couldn't swallow the pills and kept spitting them out.  Mother would call Father into the bathroom and say "Al, make Helen swallow the pills!"

One Easter I was about 6 and Mother made my outfit.  It was a pretty blue silk coat with a white lace collar.  A pink straw hat with a fluffy blue feather that matched my coat, white shoes and stockings.  All the neighbors told Mother that I looked so cute but I never like the outfit, I felt too dressed up.  I think what got me was the feather.  Now it all sounds very pretty to me!

When I was 7, my cousin Mary Sullivan and I were flower girls for our cousin Evelyn Hoy's wedding.  Our Mothers made us white net dresses with ruffles.  Mine was the prettiest.  I had ruffles from the waist down with a big white stain sash and hair bow.  Mary only had about 4 ruffles and a smaller sash.  I thought my mother did the best job.

What interests did she have?  What were her hobbies and what did she do for fun?

She belonged to several clubs.  The Culture Club at the LaSalle Hotel, Friends of American Writers at the Edgewater Beach Hotel and one at the Stevens Hotel, I don't remember what that one was.  She had her Neighborhood Club, the North Side Club (friends that lived on the north side) and St. Thomas Aquinas Mother's Club.

She and my Father loved to go to the movies or see a play or ride up to Twin Lakes or Lake Geneva and maybe take a boat ride.

Which of your mother's physical and personality characteristics did you inherit? 

I don't think I inherited any of my mother's characteristics.  She was short, out-going, always ready to help, friendly, always on the go -- I was none of these things.

What else do you remember about her?

She was a bit impatient.  She wanted things done right away.  If it snowed a lot, she wouldn't wait for my Father to get home from work, she'd go out and do the shoveling herself.

One day my Father was supposed to paint the back porch and steps from the 2nd floor to the basement.  He had to work and said he'd do it next Saturday.  She didn't wait.  I came home from school and she had painted it all.  It looked very nice too!

Helen's likes, daydreams, happy memories as a child

From The Story of a Lifetime: The Personal Memoirs of Helen Sullivan McIntyre, Helen records some of the things she enjoyed when she was young.

What games and activities did you enjoy?

I loved to swim.  I loved to read.  I liked to write poems.  I loved movies.  I liked to walk.

Who were your favorite radio and television shows?

Arthur Godfrey, Johnnie Carson, Laurel and Hardy Comedies, Amos and Andy, Jack Paar and Rosie O'Donnell - my latest favorite.

Did you ever have a special place where you went to be alone?

I don't think so -- maybe the BATHROOM!

What did you daydream about?

Being a Movie Star, writing a book, being a dancer, a singer, an artist, a model, a poet, being pretty, being popular, being shorter.

What were your favorite things to eat?  Are there any smells, flavors, sounds, songs, etc. that bring back memories of your childhood?

Ice cream, hot dogs, my Mother's home made cakes and cup cakes  I loved the smell of them as they baked in the kitchen.  I remember the organ grinder across Madison Street with his little money, playing nice songs.  If you gave him money in his tin cup, the monkey would tip his hat.   My Father playing "Moonlight and Roses" on our player piano.

How did you spend your summers?

Always at the beach, lake, pool, sitting in the sun -- swimming -- trying to dive, never learning.  Playing tag, jump rope, jacks, run sheep run, red light, blind man's bluff.

Where did your family go on vacations?  Which is your most memorable vacation?

Helen Sullivan, mother Nell Sullivan, and cousin Mary Collette Sullivan

Up to Lakewood, Michigan or Eagle Lake, Wisconsin.  I remember Eagle Lake because my cousin Mary Sullivan would come up with us. That's where we learned to swim.  We had lots of fun.   The cottage had a row boat and we'd go rowing everyday.

What birthday do your remember most? Why?

When I turned 11 my Mother had a party for me as usual.  I hadn't been feeling good for a few days.  The day of the party my face looked very fat.  My Aunt Mae said, "Helen, I think you are putting on a lot of weight".  I started to cry.  I didn't want to be fat.  Then I felt sick and went to bed.  The next morning I woke up with the mumps.

How did Al and Nell Sullivan Meet?

From The Story of a Lifetime: The Personal Memoirs of Helen Sullivan McIntyre:

How did your mother and father meet?  How long did they know each other before getting married?  What do you know about their courtship and wedding?

(My parents met) At St. Ignatius Hall across the street from Holy Family Church (in Chicago).  My Father went there every weekend.  They had dances and he loved to dance.  My Mother was engaged to John Burke.  He became sick and was in the hospital, so one Saturday night she went to St. Ignatius Hall with a friend of hers and her friend's boyfriend.  My Father saw her from across the room and thought she was the most beautiful girl in the place.  He asked her to dance, she did and he fell in love with her.  He wanted to date her but she told him she was engaged and wouldn't go out with him.

He kept pestering her to date him.  She said he was a pain in the neck! Then sadly John Burke died and she eventually dated my Father and she fell in love too.  They went to dances and saw all the good plays in town.  They had fun and were married about a year or so later.