The Gallaghers of Ballinrobe

Pete and Mary in their senior pictures from high school. At
bottom are their college graduation photos.
They would bring Patsy along.
After the stop in Niagra, the family continued on
to Canada, where they ran into a snag at the border. Unlike
Uncle Pete, who was quick to get his citizenship, Aunt May
had seen no reason to rush her application. The border
agent said there was no problem letting her out of the U.S.,
however, he didn’t think she would be allowed back. Uncle
Pete and Aunt May did some fast negotiating, and
eventually were able to proceed to Quebec, to the Shrine of
St. Anne de Beaupre, then on to Montreal and Ottawa. The
entire family was able to make it back into the country.
About 1954, Uncle Pete settled into the job he
would keep the rest of his working days. He began as a
chauffeur for the George Edmonds family. Mr. Edmonds’
wife, the former Natalie duPont, was a niece of P.S. duPont,
who created Longwood Gardens. She was the daughter of
Lammot duPont and cousin of future Delaware Gov. Pete
duPont. They had a home in the upscale neighborhood of
Westover Hills. George P. Edmonds was originally from
Massachusetts and went to MIT. He later became president
of Wilmington Trust Bank. The home had a four-car garage
and at least four live-in servants. Uncle Pete worked there
for almost 30 years. At some point in the mid-1960s, the
Edmonds estate was rearranging some landscaping and had
a few young red maples that were not needed. Uncle Pete
was asked if he would like them. He gave one to Uncle Jim
and one to Uncle Tom. The tree in Uncle Jim’s backyard,
50 years later, is still doing well. Jim’s daughter, Margaret,
now owns the house on Sycamore Street. Uncle Jim’s son
Owen actually has two offshoots of the tree at his home in
South Jersey. When Aunt Ann died, the tree given to her
and Uncle Tom also was still doing well on Champlain
Avenue.
1960s, 1970s
Mary can remember an occasion in the early
1960s that further amplified her mother’s aversion to credit.
On a return from Atlantic City, Uncle Pete’s new Impala
was rear-ended. Even though it was repaired, it never again
ran properly. Another car had to be purchased. The second
vehicle was bought on credit because it came so soon after
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