Mary Cecily Parsons

  General Notes:

1935 census

S. Flynn Tree
Notes for Mary (Mae) Cecily PARSONS:
Mary Cecily Parsons, as told to Cassi Flynn
Born on Sunday, 24 Sep 1927 in Clattice Harbour NW, weighed about 8 pounds.
Mother: Adelaide Mary Leonard (25 Nov 1907), who was born in Isle au Valen. Adelaide was a shy
person. She had one sister who died young, and 5 brothers - Paul, David, Herbert, James and
Pius, and one step-brother, Patrick Joseph. Adelaide's parents were John Leonard a fisherman,
and Mary Griffiths.
Father: Cornelius Aaron Parsons (28 Jul 1902). He was call "Neil". He worked as a fisherman,
farmer, and shoe repair man. He loved to read, tell stories, and sing songs. Cornelius' parents
were James Bernard Parsons, who was born in White Point. He was a fisherman and had his own
boat. He also hunted birds and deer. His mother was Cecilia (Cecily) Collins who was born in
1869. Cecilia had three sisters - Nora, Margaret and Josephine; and four brothers - James, Peter,
John and Joseph. Two brothers died young, the other two lived into their 80's and 90's.
Siblings: Lawrence Cornelius (3 Jun 1929); Genevieve (5 Nov 1931), Christina (2 Dec 1933),
Veronica (19 Jun 1936), Cornelius (29 Nov 1938), Walter (18 Apr 1941), Gerard (5 May 1946),
Martin (10 Dec 1948), and Alphonsus (23 Sep 1951),
Personal Communication with Mae (July 2015)
Mae attended school in NW Clattice, completing Grade 8 and had started Grade 9 when her Mom
became ill and she was needed at home so had to leave school. Her favourite subject was
arithmetic.
Once her Mom recovered Mae did some domestic work in various communities. At one point she
worked for the Osbourne Hayden family in Petite Forte for 2 months.
When she was 16 years of age Mae did some teaching at Prowston, NL. She taught primary
grades and had about 9 students. She only stayed teaching a short time because her Mom had a
miscarriage and nearly died and Mae went home to look after her. Once her Mom was well Mae
worked for the Pomeroy's in Great Paradise. It was during this time that she met Nick at a card
game in Clattice Harbour. She was 18 years old and Nick was 24.
Nick walked her home after the card game because he had a flashlight and she did not. Nick was a
crew member on the fishing schooner the Madonna [Madonna Hayden] which was owned by the
Hayden's. Mae said "it was love at first sight"; she "liked his big eyes - they were sparkly". After ten
months of dating Nick proposed and they were married 9 Jan 1946 in the Church of the
Assumption in St. Kyran's by Father A. Nolan. Jack Brown, Nick's best friend, was best man and
Irene Parsons Chaulk, Mae's best friend, was bridesmaid.
Mae and Nick lived with Nick's parents in Great Paradise for 4 years while Nick built their own
home, also in Great Paradise, Placentia Bay, NL

http://ngb.chebucto.org/Newspaper-Obits/tele-obits-mar16.shtml
FLYNN (nee Parsons), Mary (Mae) - (September 24th, 1927 - March 22nd, 2016)
A gentle, kind, loving heart stopped beating 12:07, March 22, 2016. It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our dear mom. She slipped away at Placentia Health Centre in the presence of her loving daughter. She is predeceased by her husband Nick, son Gary, parents Cornelius and Adelaide Parsons, and friend Mike Critch. Left with broken hearts, daughter Ann Marie McGrath (Jerome); sons Derm (Dianne), Ray (Sandy), Terry (Carole), Don (Lois), Danny (Donna), Les (Audrey), Ken (Linda), Rod (Sandie), and Keith (Tracey); daughter-in-law Judy (Denis); brothers and sisters Lar (Anne), Con (Mary), Walter (Ann), Gerry (Evelyn), Martin (Donna), Al (Annie), Genny Follett (Johnny, deceased), Chris Furlotte (Omer), and Veronica King (Michael, deceased); 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, whom she adored; and many other relatives and friends. Mom spent her lifetime volunteering and helping others from ministering to the sick and shut-ins, to Scout Leader, 4-H, teaching dancing to school children (which she excelled in), Senior Citizens Clubs, Star of the Sea Ladies Auxiliary, St. Anne's Sodality, and her daily visits to Lions Manor Nursing Home, just to name a few. She was never one to mince her words, but there was love and concern behind every word. She will be remembered as a hard worker with a heart of gold, and a very giving, caring soul. Her wit and humour will be remembered in years to come, and will bring smiles to all who knew her. Special thank you to Dr. Mangat and the staff at the Placentia Health Centre, and to her life long friend Dr. Ross Penney. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Maher's Funeral Home. Visitation to take place on Thursday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, and Friday from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral Service to take place 11 am on Saturday, March 26th at Sacred Heart Church, Placentia. Interment to follow at Dermot McGettigan Memorial Cemetery, Southeast Placentia. Flowers greatly accepted or donations may be made to the Janeway Telethon.
"Her life on earth was a personification of her love of God, her family and her friends. In turn she will be ever remembered and ever loved."

Mary married Nicholas Lawrence Flynn, son of Nicholas Flynn and Anne Healey, on 9 Jan 1946 in St. Kyran's, Newfoundland. (Nicholas Lawrence Flynn was born on 17 Mar 1921 in Paradise, Newfoundland, died on 1 Apr 2000 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and was buried in Dermot McGettigan Memorial Cemetery, Placentia, Newfoundland.)

  Marriage Notes:

NFLD vital records