Lairds of Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, Scotland:Information about Marjorie Janet Van Swol
Marjorie Janet Van Swol (b. July 05, 1923, d. January 28, 1953)
Notes for Marjorie Janet Van Swol:
[Laird Family Tree 2000a.FTW]
Her nickname was "Margie".
She was born at 10544 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago, Cook Cty., IL
She is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Gresham, OR.Block G, Sec. 67, Lot 3.
The house where the family lived at the time of her death in 1953, is still standing.The address is, 32151 S. E. Stephens, Springdale, OR.
Jo (Laird) Hinds speaking: "I don't remember very much about my mother. I know, and have been told by people who knew her, that she was a quiet spoken, and very kind lady.
Jo Ellyn (Laird) Hinds speaking, "I vividly remember the day she died. It was the day before my sixth birthday. My mother had just finished baking a birthday cake.My sister Margie, my brother, Jim, and I were playing in the living room. It must have been about midday. My mother was sitting, reading, in a large overstuffed chair on the side of the livingroom. Suddenly she gasped and slumped in the chair. My grandmother, Alma Laird, came immediately and called for help. I remember her ringing on the telephone.
I remember standing on the edge of the yard watching as the fire trucks came. The only other thing I remember is my Dad talking to me the next morning while I was still in my bed. I remember crying, and my Dad holding me for a long time.I don't remember much about anything after that day, until the end of my second year of school. Little bits and pieces have started to come back in the past five years, but there is a very large gap.
I remember my Aunt Marie carrying me past the open casket, and I asked her, "Why is my mother sleeping in that box?" Although I have pictures of Margie and Jim at the gravesite, I don't remember going there.
I had begun school at Springdale Elementary the previous fall, and I have some good memories of going to school. I remember going to the Springdale Store across the street from the school so we could buy a penny candy. (the store building is now a tavern) My teacher was Miss Pomante. She was also our nearest neighbor in Springdale. Several years after we moved from Springdale, our family went to her house for her wedding reception.
I don't remember my father remarrying. I don't remember my Grandmother Laird leaving for New Mexico. I don't remember moving to 9935 S. E. 99th St., Portland, OR. (The corner of 99th and Cora Street.) I don't remember my brother, Frank, being born.
During my third year of school I do remember having friends in the neighborhood, and I remember the house where I spent most of my years growing up, being built at 2212 S. E. 98th, Portland, OR (Near 98th and Division St.). After we moved to the new house, my memories are more clear.
I have a picture of my grandparents, Cornelius and Bertha Van Swol, and my grandmother, Alma Laird, standing in the same spot where I stood to watch the fire trucks arrive.
About two years ago, (1997) my brother Frank gave me a telephone from the house in Springdale. He said my Dad had taken two telephones out of the house when the family moved to Portland. One of these old fashioned phones is the telephone I vividly remember Grama ringing to call for help the day my mother died. When Frank offered me the telephone he had no idea what it would mean to me." (Jo Hinds, February 29, 2000)
More About Marjorie Janet Van Swol:
Burial: February 03, 1953, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Gresham, Multnomah Co., OR.1
More About Marjorie Janet Van Swol and Walter James Laird:
Death of one spouse: January 28, 1953, Springdale,Multnomah, OR.1
Marriage: 1942, Chicago, Cook Co., IL.1
Children of Marjorie Janet Van Swol and Walter James Laird are: