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| Tribute to "Tweedie" Murphy | 10/25/2010 | | Aunt Tweedie Tribute 10-22-2011
Uncle John, Sean, Mart, Margie and Derm. There are thousands of happy memories connected to Aunt Tweedie. She was known, and loved, by so many people. Tweedie, Tweets, Mom, Irene, Mrs. Murphy, and much to our entertainment, Mrs. McDermott. That's Mrs. McDermott near the stage! And last, but not least, Mamoo. No, we're not Hawaiian. Nicknames just work out that way.
Aunt Tweedie was raised on the southside of Chicago, in Brainard and South Shore. She was from McDermott-O'Connor stock. Just a bit Irish. Like her own mother, Tiny, she was the baby girl of the family, looking up to big brother, Babe, and even bigger sister, Anita. She was born a year before Shirley Temple, so as a kid, she wore the curls and had "the doll". The only reason I mention this is that Aunt Tweedie was so pleased the "curly hair tradition" continues on to this very day.
When she was 11, her family moved to Beverly to live in her grandmother's house, with her grandfather and Uncle Francis McDermott. In her own words, Aunt Tweedie told the story of their telephone, which was in a closet, and you had to put nickels into it. She never knew why they had a payphone in the house. There were many times they didn't have nickels so they would take pennies and hammer them until they lost shape and the phone thought it was a token. The phone company didn't like that very much, to say the least. These were also the years the O'Connors enjoyed countless summers in Cassopolis, Michigan with the McDermotts.
Aunt Tweedie, even before graduating from Morgan Park High School, was working at the Hartford Insurance Company downtown. Eventually, the entire family was on the Rock Island daily. It was there, at the Hartford, she met John Edward Murphy, hailing from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Aunt Tweedie's father, William, bonded right away with Uncle John, for they were both insurance underwriters, and could gab the night away. In short, Tweedie and John, fell in love, married in 1949, started their family and eventually settled down in a little town of 600 called Orland Park, where they began Murphy Insurance Agency.
Aunt Tweedie was a "Marcia Brady". She was on committees for dances, dinners, rolling skating parties, the St. Michael's Womens' Club and the Holy Name Society. She developed life-long friendships with neighbors, friends and parishioners. Everyone knew her; a great hostess. Aunt Tweedie was a champion bridge player...or talker...well, they go hand in hand. Cook? Her spaghetti and casseroles would be consumed in a flash (thumbs up sign).
She was strong, had gusto, and, what's the word? Umph? At Cass, she'd zip up the snowmobile suit, it came with the snowmobile, hop on the seat, with my Mom attached as added weight, and turned the throttle, and ripped across the field at a staggering 1 mile per hour. We watched in silence as they made a turn, tipped over on their side, and were paralyzed...with laughter.
Aunt Tweedie was not only my Godmother, but we were co-workers for 9 years at the insurance agency. I told her one time, as a compliment, "you look just like Shelley Winters". That didn't go over well. "Oh, NO!" She did like celebrities and loved Perry Como. At the office, we had an 8-track tape. A Perry Como Christmas. So when the Season hit, we'd pop it in every day, all day long, year after year. There are witnesses here! The tape wore so thin, that both sides played at the same time. On one side..."Toyland, Toyland". And on the other side..."There Is No Christmas, Like A Home Christmas". So Aunt Tweedie is doing the billing and humming away to the music and the tape is playing..."Toyland...There Is No Christmas...Toyland...Like A Home Christmas". And Aunt Tweedie stops, looks up and says "what in the...what happened to him?" We've been howling about that ever since!
She was a smart, strong woman with principles. A caring wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her 4 children and was so proud of them, and loved all children for that matter. She adored animals. And was so kind and generous to those in need, always providing hope and encouragement. To us, her nieces and nephews, she was an Aunt that truly made a difference in our lives.
In closing, Aunt Tweedie had mentioned how, as a kid, she loved going to the movies with her Mom and Dad and brother and sister. Though none of us were there, you know there must have been pinching and hand slapping over the popcorn and chocolate! Well, she's with all of them again, watching movies, reuniting with everyone who has gone before her, going to parties and having a wonderful time...with plenty of popcorn and chocolate. Until we're reunited with her eventually, she's here (indicate heart), and right here (indicate air). Just a celestial call away. God Bless You, Aunt Tweedie.
Martin John Donovan
| | | | CONTACT US VIA E-MAIL | 01/27/2009 | | You can reach me at my e-mail address; ooiadsl@ameritech.net.
All my e-mails are routed to my blackberry so I'm always just an e-mail away!
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