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| - MacAdam Clan - (Descendants of Alban Bertram and Margaret Tena - MacDonald - MacAdam) Morell, PEI, Canada |
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| 1916 |
| 1967 |
| BIOGRAPHY - JEAN TERESA MACADAM (Born: November 7, 1926) Jean Teresa was born on November 7, 1926 at the MacAdam homestead in Morell. She was child number eight. Her mother Tena said that Jean came into the world with her mouth open and it has been that way ever since! She went to school in Morell from grades one to eight. Jean lived with her Aunt Mae and Uncle Reg in Mount Stewart for grade nine and returned to Morell for Grade ten. She had wonderful teachers and made lifetime friends during those school girl years. Five of them still get together every summer (Cacky Kelly, Lois Cox, Joyce Jay, Teresa Rossiter and Jean) and you can hear the laughing for miles! After finishing grade ten in 1943, she went to work at the Bank of Nova Scotia located next door to her home. She didn't know a typewriter from an adding machine. Jean was married to Bill O'Hanley on September 16, 1953, officiated by Fr. A. Sinnott. The ceremony was supposed to start at 8:30 am, but Jean didn't wake up until 8:00! Talk about getting to the church on time! When they were on their honeymoon in Moncton, a man knocked on their motel door saying, "Come and see the Bore" (Tidal Bore). Jean thought that he meant 'boar' and wondered why he wanted them to see an old pig ?!? Billy was in the Air Force for 24 years, which meant that they moved around alot: Morin Heights, PQ (twice); Quebec City; Goderich, Ontario; Seven Islands, PQ; Sydney, Nova Scotia; and the last posting was in Barrington, Nova Scotia. Billy retired in 1973. Billy Joe was born in Goderich, Ontario in 1962, after 9 years and 10 months of waiting. She was teased that instead of taking 9 months to have a baby, it took her 9 years! Michael was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1964. Jean and the boys moved back to the homestead in Morell in 1972 after her mother died. During this time, she took care of her older brother, Gerry (along with his truck drivers!) for three years, until Gerry's death. She worked in the office at the Morell CO-OP for 18 years. The head office in Moncton claimed she had the best organized books in the Maritimes! While living in Quebec City, she worked at the John Ritchie Shoe Company for three years. In Goderich, she worked with the Royal Bank for two years. Jean has a love of stylish hats and can be seen in church each Sunday wearing one from her vast collection and looking like she just walked out of Vogue. Jean is famous for hosting wonderful teas and parties for friends and family. There are always so many delicious sweets to pick from that one can't help but try one of each! In recent years, she began hosting the 'Nieces Tea' for her MacAdam and O'Hanley nieces and nieces-in-law, whom she loves dearly. It is a wonderful opportunity for the nieces to catch up on each other's news and, of course, to enjoy Jean's scrumptious lobster sandwiches and decadent desserts! And, maybe, just maybe, a few laughs here and there! At the 2003 nieces' tea, she invited the nieces up to her bedroom to view and model her legendary hat collection... and event unprecedented! While Jean loves to host parties, she's also been surprised by a few in her honour. For her 75th birthday, family and friends almost gave her a fright when they came walking in her back door singing 'Happy Birthday' while she was baking cookies one night (we weren't surprised she was baking!). When she saw that each person was wearing a funny hat (ranging from sharks to birthday cakes) in honour of her 'hat lady' status, her laughter could be heard throughout all of Morell, if not all of PEI. At Christmas time, Jean and Billy's home is a sight to behold, both inside and out. Her nativity on the verandah and, of course, her blue Christmas balls gracing the dining room ceiling are always eye-catching and a treasured Christmas memory. Jean has always had a soft spot for her dogs. Beginning with Ben, then Sam and now Jack, it wasn't an uncommon sight to see one of them carrying milk or Jean's purse home from the CO-OP store! A hard worker, Jean has volunteered many hours over the years including scheduling foot clinics, CWL, visiting the sick, and bringing food to those in need. Many fortunate people were blessed with a delicious home-cooked dinner at the O'Hanley household. The fact that her feet were constantly swollen never kept Jean off her feet. Jean can often be seen sitting on her swing on the verandah - a great spot from which to watch the Morell parade, to wave to Bernie or Owen Kelly across the street, or to take a breather from her busy day. On the rare occasion you see Jean relaxing on her swing, you know her chores are done and that her freezer is stocked with goodies! Jean's faithful devotion to the adoration chapel and to her weekly Cenacle group is a testament to her strong faith. Many an afflicted person has received God's grace through Jean's numerous prayers. This lady is one in a million who enjoys the 'sweet' things in life and gives to others more than she receives. Hats off to you! |