My Mom’s Memories
by Ellen Dorothy Van Cleef
edited by Dorrie, Ellen’s daughter
Some years ago my mother started writing her down her „memories“. My dad finally introduced her to using a computer, at the age of 80!!, and with Dad’s help she could even add pictures. Taking her age into consideration, you’ll find some repetition in her tales and/or years missing.
I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did!
Dorrie, October 2002, corrections made : 2024
Update, May 2024
The pages need a complete re-formatting and while doing that I decided to add pictures from my archives to the entries. The entries themselves are the original as written by my mom, with only minor corrections (typos mostly).
Not all of the entries mentioned below so you will find some missing, at the moment (May 2024)
1944; Mom and Dad
1871-1938; The Beginning;
1941; Unhappy and Happy Times
1943; Navy Life Begins
1943; Ocracoke, North Carolina
1945; The War is Over
1947-1948; On to California
1950; Annapolis Maryland
1952-1953; Back in Fall River and Carl arrives
1953-1956; Quantanamo, Cuba
1957; Arrival in San Diego
1961; Square dancing in the Philippines
1962; Sailing to the Philippines on the USS Barrett
1965; Back to El Cajon again
1966; Trip back East
1967; More Changes
1968; Meeting Michael
1970; Retirement
1971; Bob and Mary’s Wedding
1971; Family Trip