 |
Sister Mary Gregory Frances Eleanore McLean 1909 - 2008 |
Sister Gregory – an amazing person – for 98½ years –
an amazing person! We will surely miss her! We will
miss her quiet elegance. Yes, “elegance,” for she was
truly a “class act.” She quietly appreciated the finer
things of life: she liked a good steak; she enjoyed a
good martini. Her nieces describe her as a “staple” in
the family. She was solid; she was “there” for them,
to listen to their concerns, and guide them with
wisdom and encouragement.
Information about Sister Gregory’s life is sparse; you
may be able to fill in some of the gaps later. This
presentation will be short for two reasons: she didn’t
leave much material in her file, and her wish was:
“let’s keep it under an hour.”
Frances Eleanore McLean was born in San Francisco on
July 28, 1909. Her father, Edward McLean, and his
lovely wife, Anna Becker McLean, had recently come
from Minneapolis. Her beloved sister, Anna Patricia,
was born four years later. Eleanore started school at
Longfellow Elementary School in Alameda; then on to
Newcastle Elementary, in Newcastle, California; then
to Auburn Elementary in Auburn. The high school she
attended was Placer Union High School in Auburn. From
there it was on the St. Theresa’s College in Winona,
Minnesota for two years. Then back to the Bay Area
and University of San Francisco.
At USF, Father Cornelius Buckley, S.J., introduced her
to Sister Augustine Marie. “I read a short life of
Mother Marie Rose and was convinced this was the
Community for me --- her philosophy of life impressed
me.” Eleanore’s letter asking for entry is very short
and to the point.
Dear Reverend Mother,
My sincerest desire is to be a Sister of the
Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. I surely hope that
the information you have is satisfactory and that
I have omitted nothing you wish.
Yours very truly,
Frances Eleanore McLean
And so, she entered the Novitiate on September 8, 1933
at age 24. After the Novitiate, she taught mostly in
high schools: Ramona Convent, St. Andrew’s, Holy Names
High School, and Marin Catholic. Of her various
assignments she says this:
“I taught until 1971, when I was named assistant to
the Treasurer at Holy Names High School. I always
liked the places and the work I was assigned. Although
many do not like Boarding School work I enjoyed my
years working with the boarders at Ramona Convent.
“During the years I was in Pasadena I was a member of
the Red Cross Youth Advisory Board; Chairman the last
year I was there.” (This was the entire autobiography,
which she left in her file. Three sentences!)
Years of support services followed her teaching years.
At Holy Names High School, and later at Stella
Kennedy, and here at Los Gatos.
As she enjoyed the Boarding School, the boarders
enjoyed her, too. She would sit with them in the
evenings and listen to their concerns, and encourage
them. In those days – the 40s and 50s – girls were
told that they could be a nurse, or a teacher, or a
sister. Period. Sister Gregory told them that they had
the ability (if they didn’t have the ability they
wouldn’t be at Ramona), and they could do whatever
they chose to do, IF they really wanted it and stuck
to it. One of those little girls is here with us
tonight. This little girl had a dream. Now has her
PhD; has taught at the university level for many
years; has been Department Chair at a large
university. She heard the words, “you can do whatever
you choose to do.” She listened, she remembered, and
she went forward because of Sister Gregory’s wisdom
and confidence.
We found, in Sister’s papers, a picture of her father
playing baseball in Topenish, Washington dated 1909,
the year Eleanore was born. This may account for the
frequent moves of her family and Sister’s great love
of sports, especially baseball. She was great fan,
read Sports Illustrated regularly, and was well versed
in the personnel and abilities on the various major
league teams. If she were watching a game on TV, it
was probably not the best time for a visit!
Another skill of Sister Gregory’s was several kinds of
handiwork. Sewing was one. She was famous for dozens
--- maybe hundreds --- of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
Pretty little girls’ dresses, with panties to match.
And her own wardrobe: much of it was handmade and
elegant. Is there a sewing machine in heaven? I hope
so. Knitting, crocheting, and embroidery were other
skills of hers. Baby blankets, layettes, whatever was
needed as a gift for some lucky child. And her flower
arrangements were of professional quality. To make
something beautiful or useful for others --- this made
her happy.
And so --- we say goodbye for now to our friend.
We will miss visits with you; miss dinners with you;
miss advice from you; miss just being with you.
Goodbye Sister Gregory . . . go, and live with God.
Marian Ruth Christensen, snjm |
|