Nancy.....

This past Sunday, March 25, marked my sister Nancy’s 75th birthday. I was fortunate to be able to share part of my time in Ohio these past weeks with her and we celebrated her birthday

Not much can be said, but a lot is said about Nancy….She is gentle, kind, soft spoken, very spiritual and truly loves everyone and has a huge heart.

As we were growing up, I really didn’t feel like I had a sister….she was just an older person who lived with us. During the years, we both married the loves of our lives, I had children and now grand children and a great grand child!

As we lost our parents and I finally grew up (that is still debatable!) we realized that the 9 years difference in our ages was not an issue any more…we were becoming equals….even though she still refers to me as her ‘baby sister’!

The attached picture was taken approximately March 12 of this year with her ‘kids’….Benji and Angel….they both bring her so much joy.

I am so grateful to have you to be my sister….I truly wish I were more like you. I love you more than you will ever know.


Happy 75th birthday to the cousin that Pat Callahan referred to as ‘the boss of the cousins’!!

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Blogged by Dede

My Dad.....

My Dad…..

March 17, 2012 marked the 100th birthday of my father, Michael Patrick Jackson! He was always so proud of the fact that he was born on that day.

Memories of ‘back in the day’ is Dad and Leo Tormey (born on March 16) always celebrated their birthdays together….by usually going to Sullivans, Sophies, and probably the East Erie Turners and other watering holes whose names long ago slipped from my memory. I think John Tormey, Bill Henry, and Harry Callahan tagged along on those ventures too!

I was fortunate this year to get to spend St. Paddy’s day with a bunch of the Tormey cousins….we all met up in Dublin Ohio. And as the Irish are prone to say ‘ a grand time was had by all!! The Tormeys and their kids and grandkids were my only relatives on my Dad’s side of the family in Erie.

This weekend we did them all proud….We had Pat Tormey from New Hampshire, Pete Tormey from California, Margie Wegelin, Amy Cross Lombardo, Judy Cross Murphy and husband Jim, Mary Dale Anthony Rzymek and husband John from Erie. Rick Cross and wife Darcie came from Tennessee. Sherry Wilt Tortora and husband Chuck, and Kelly Wilt Shooltz and husband Duane from Michigan. Roberta Cross Nesbit and husband John from Washington, Pa, and Guy Anthony and wife Jodi from Pleasantville, Pa. Jan Schoen Scopel and husband Drew came from Erie also (Kelly family relatives) and John Rzymek’s brother and his family joined us on Saturday. And of course me from Florida!

The weather was great….we all decided we would go out to lunch to and to an Irish Pub or two on Saturday and do our ‘pubbing’ in the afternoon and then head back to the Marriott. The Marriott had a courtyard that we kind of took over as our meeting and imbibing place. They had an outdoor grill and the guys collected $ and bought and cooked a prime rib on the grill! Outstanding!!

The attached picture shows that table ‘centerpieces’ that we had. We dined al fresco and had a wonderful dinner!

It was a great weekend filled with laughs and lots of toasts!! It always amazes me though that every time the Callahan name is brought up, Pat Tormey is amazed that I am related to the Callahans.

The Crotty connection just keeps going! Happy Birthday Dad!! (we toasted you by the way!!)


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Blogged by Dede