Catherine

 

This is a photo of my late grandmother on my mother's side. Catherine Janet de Silva (nee Dunlop) born 1916 was 3/4 Scottish and 1/4 Irish. I have many memories of her, such a strong woman. My middle name is Catherine, as is my daughter's. Her mother and grandmother were all named Catherine.

She basically raised 9 children herself, consisting of 5 under 5 and 4 at school while my grandfather worked long hours.

When she was alive as a family we would have dinner parties and gatherings. Everyone would get together at someone's house and all us cousins would play together while the adults socialised.

Referencing Dawn Treader's post about temperance involves this lady. She was a staunch Catholic but regularly she would come around to our house when I was growing up for dinner and she would enjoy a glass of Sherry or Carolans (a liqueuer). At family gatherings everyone would drink but no one got drunk if that makes sense. Drinking was a healthy thing used for socialising and it was never used in excess. It's probably why now at 54 years old I have 1 or 2 drinks on my days off to wind my brain down and that's about it. I do wish I had made more effort to ask her questions about her life when she was alive.

After she passed away in 1996 it's like no one gets together anymore, she was like the glue in the family - now everyone is scattered around New Zealand.