[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-L, Ed. 5, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jun 27, 1999, Internal Ref. #1.111.5.140512.120]
Individual: Legg, Kathryn
Social Security #: 338-14-0978
A KATHRYN LEGG is listed in the SS Death Index, which, because of the late birth date, I do not believe is "this" Kate, but I include this information here as a note of interest -- this woman may be related to our LEGG family.SS# issued in: Illinois
Birth date: Jan 9, 1916
Death date: Jan 1994
ZIP Code of last known residence: 61764
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:Pontiac, Illinois
ZIP Code of address where death benefit payment was sent: 61764
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:Pontiac, Illinois
It always tickled her daughters that Emily was 3 years and 2 months older than her husband. But they were a close and loving couple, and had a good life together. I did not get to know my grandmother until she was already in frail health, so my memories of her center around "her" old Victorian-style chair in the parlor of their home on Kilpatrick Avenue in Chicago. She had a "milk leg" with a chronic boil, and was severely afflicted with arthritis. She would sit in her chair, leg bandaged and up on a stool, her hands terribly crippled with arthritis, a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face, and her hands always busy with her embroidery work. The only digit that could still move was the thumb of her right hand, but she did beautiful embroidery, all of it given to family and friends as gifts. Grandma did not talk much, but when she did her voice was sweet and kind, and with never a harsh word. Her hair made a silver halo around her face, and with the sun streaming in the window behind her, she appeared very angelic. All the household revolved around her. All conversations were directed toward her, all activities were carried on with her in mind, and yet she never gave the impression of expecting such consideration. She was a very humble and sweet lady. And she was indeed a "lady", in the old sense of the word. Quiet and gentle, always dressed properly, always careful in her speech and manner, always considerate of her guests.
We Egan women are famous for our chattering, and one of my favorite memories of Grandma concerns her chattering daughters. It was Thanksgiving dinner, and because so many people were in the house, there was room only for the ladies at the table. The men and children were scattered around the rest of the house enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. About eight women were seated at the table, with Grandma at the head, her daughters ranged along the sides of the table, and my mother and I seated across from each other. Without exaggeration, I can say that every single woman, with the exception of my mother and myself, was chattering full speed, and each and every one of them was talking to Grandma --- all at the same time! She sat benignly at the head of the table, nodding her head graciously to each woman, a gentle smile on her lips, never speaking a word herself other than a periodic "yes" or "my, my."
Yet she appeared to be following the sense of each of the different monologues! My mother and I simply gazed at each other, eyes wide with disbelief. How did she DO it?! We couldn't make sense out of any of the hubbub, but Grandma was quite comfortable and composed. She was indeed a true lady!
Yet her son, Joe, can tell some pretty funny stories about her. Like the times the kids would misbehave and "Mom" would come after them with the broom. The kids would start running in a circle from the dining room to the study to the living room, around and around, through the little arches that connected the three rooms, Mom brandishing the broom and threatening to clobber them, the kids laughing and racing around 'til all were dizzy!
But she was a good mother. My father remembers many happy hours of sitting with his mother and the other kids as they played all sorts of games together and talked about everything under the sun. She made sure they went to a good school, and the kids still remember her cooking. Her daughters loved her dearly, which says a lot, and her youngest daughter Rosemary lived with her until her death, caring for her mother as well as for her own family. They always got along so well and were such good friends. Not many mothers have that sort of relationship with their daughters.
All of her children were very protective of her, so when I was a child it was hard to spend time with Grandma. "Leave Grandma alone now; she's getting tired." But she always had a hug and a kiss and loving words for me, and I loved her dearly, too. After she died, I received in the mail a beautiful plate that she had left for me. She knew I loved china, so out of her own treasures, she had chosen a beautiful pink bisque plate with hand-painted white flowers for me. On the back, in her own handwriting, was written on a piece of masking tape, "for Susie, Joe's daughter." It touched me so deeply that she had taken the time before her death to search through her things for something that would please me and then had labelled it to make sure that it got to me. I treasured that plate until it was stolen from our household goods when they were searched by the Spanish Customs people. (We were stationed in Spain for a few years.)
Grandma's life was centered around her family and the Catholic Church. It was a great grief to her and her husband when her Irish Catholic son married my English Protestant mother and they chose to become Episcopalians. In fact, she and Grandpa did not attend the wedding, for in those days it was forbidden for Catholics to step inside a Protestant church. Instead, Grandma and Grandpa waited in the car and joined everyone for the reception instead. Every Christmas thereafter, Grandma and Grandpa sponsored the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and offered prayers for Dad. Though I do not agree with their beliefs on that matter, yet it touches and blesses me that they were so faithful to their own beliefs and that they loved their son so faithfully. They were always welcoming and gracious to my mother and her children, never appearing to "blame" her for pulling their son away from the Church.
In sum, Emily Isabel Mary Rose Biggs was a beautiful, gracious, loving and kind lady, and I was very fortunate to have had her for my grandmother. I treasure her memory.Susan Egan Wyatt
January 31, 1999
Alpharetta, GA
Francis, known to the family as "Franny", was the dearly loved oldest brother of the family, popular with everyone. He attended Lane Technical High School, where he majored in electrical and drafting. He loved English architecture and designed a beautiful thatched-roof style home which won him a letter for his school sweater. He was also in the ROTC program of the school, apparently with the idea of entering military service. However, after graduation, Francis went to work for the famous slot machine manufacturer, Bally Company. He and his friends enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he was known to take a beer or two.
Francis was been engaged to be married to a young lady by the name of Anne _____________. They were to be married in the spring of 1934. Francis' goal was to continue his studies and to become an architect. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
In 1933, the World's Fair was held in Chicago, and Francis was among the thousands who visited the Fair. Unfortunately, the hamburger he ate was spoiled, and, along with many other fair-goers, Francis contracted amoebic dysentery. He entered the hospital (his younger brother Joe believes it was either St. Mary's or St. Anne's), but there were no medications for such things in those days, and the dysentery developed into severe colitis. When his colon ruptured, peritonitis set in, and Francis died at the tender age of 21. He was alert and brave to the end.
All of the brothers and sisters speak fondly of Francis and wonder what his life would have been like. They remember him as fun and intelligent, and a real handy man. (He was the one who volunteered to dig out the area under the front porch of the family home so that his dad could extend the basement and increase the size of the living room. Just before he died, he moved the sidewalk in the backyard so that his mother could plant a larger garden.) His youngest sister, Rosemary, remembers that although he would tease her mercilessly, he would do anything for his mother with never a word of protest. His niece Susan, Joe's daughter, can attest that he was certainly not forgotten; whenever the family got together, it wasn't long before Francis' name came up in the conversation, and always with fondness.
George was breech born (legs first), and had to have oxygen administered. In those days the equipment was not suited for the fragile lungs of an infant, and George's lungs were overloaded. He died of "oxygen burn", or too much oxygen under too much pressure.
Marie was 81 years old when she died.
When Marie was a baby, she was bitten by rats. Then, at age 15, she was in a toboggan accident which put her into a coma. During the coma she experienced an "epileptic seizure" and died. The doctors felt that the rat bites had affected her blood in some way and contributed to her death.
Florence was involved in politics in some fashion, but the source is not sure just how.
Florence and Benjamin separated when their son Billy was no more than toddler age.
Florence lived in Arizona. She was in her 90's when she died.
James and his wife Janet are both teachers in Florida.
"Josie", as she is called, was a waitress for many years, possibly at the Chicago Hilton. These days she works at Cook County Hospital, but at present we do not know in what capacity.
Nicknamed "Ollie".
Nicknamed "Ollie".
George retired from the United States Navy as a Commander. He was given early retirement due to developing deafness.
George retired from the United States Navy as a Commander. He was given early retirement due to developing deafness.