Sushannah sent this letter to Nelly Daisy Atkinson, my grandfather’s sister, it appears in response to news of the death of Mary Daisy Atkinson, my great grandmother. Mary passed away in July 1933. My father was only 3 at the time so sadly, he has no stories to tell me about her. What I have learned of Mary has come from these letters and postcards and information shared by a few generous relatives that have reached out to me. (You can read some of those stories on the blog by clicking here.)
I am uncertain how letters to Nelly came into my grandparent's possession. Perhaps when Nelly passed away, the letters she had were randomly distributed among her living siblings. Perhaps Nelly was my grandpa Ben's favorite sister and the few that existed were given to him. I continue to be puzzled by this but I’ve come to accept with family history, there are some things one may never know. However, that does not stop me from searching...
Letter from Sushannah to Nelly
George St.
Annerley South Brisbane Queensland
Sept. 3rd 1933
My Dear Dear Nelly,
It is indeed bad news you have sent me in your first letter to me. I got a fearful shock but now I feel better about it. All her troubles are over; while we live we never know what troubles are coming to us, your mother was a wonderful woman & a good loving mother & there are quite a lot of L.D.S. women here who knew her & they all speak well of her & they send you all their deepest love & sympathy.
I suppose you have heard your dear mother speak of Mrs. Yone here, well last monday I went to see her I was there nearly all day & we were both taking about your mother & we both said we would just love to see her & have our arms around & when I got home Dorothy gave me the letter & we were very sad for awhile.
It must have been a bad time for you just after having your baby but the Lord gave you strength & I am sure your sister & brothers & all helped as much as they could.
Give them all my love & tell them not to fret. I remember them all but of course I never saw you or Cliff. It is very kind of you to ask me to keep on writing & I will write & you must answer my letters & tell me all about your children & how many you have & what are their names & how many are at school & if any of the others would write I would be very pleased.
I wrote to Uncle Ben but I have not answered my letter yet, I am sure they will be very sorry for you all.
With lots of love from all of us to all of you,
I remain your loving Aunt Sushannah Haskins
There is a President from here coming to see you some day soon his name is Kenneth W. Leak, I asked him to call & see my Dear sisters, he is on the SS. Mariposa but there is a sickness on board so he may be quarantined for awhile he left here on August 23rd.