Graf - Locke Family History

My mother, Virginia Touby Coan, has been collecting bits of family history for years.  During the past three years, she and I have worked on assembling this document that traces the history of the Philip Graf and Elias Locke families and their descendants who still reside in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana.  Today is my mother's 92nd birthday and I honor her efforts by publishing this document on our family blog.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Click to view: Graf - Locke Family History

Touby Cousins Reunions

We've done all the "O" states !

 OHIO   OREGON   OKLAHOMA

In 2012 the Touby Cousins decided to do a reunion at a former Touby home - now a B&B -  in Mansfield, Ohio.  2013 took us to McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, and in 2014 we gathered in Grove, Oklahoma. 

CLICK HERE for the link to the 2012 Reunion Book.

Somewhere in Time B&B, Mansfield, Ohio  2012

Caddisfly Resort, McKenzie Bridge, Oregon  2013

Grove, Oklahoma 2014

Virginia's 90th Birthday Book

A little late to this blog, but CLICK HERE 
for the book celebrating Virginia's 90th.

Lament

 

This past October the Touby Cousins trekked to McKenzie Bridge, Oregon for our second annual reunion.  My mother had so hoped to be able to make the journey, but as time drew near she realized she was just not able.  She asked that we read this poem she had written (neither Nancy nor I thought we could do it, so Charlotte volunteered).  It was a sobering moment.

Lament

I've waited too long
To travel Northwest -
California, Washington and Oregon.
Friends invited me there,
I wish I had gone -
Now I've waited too long.

I've waited too long
To visit Vermont
in the beautiful fall of the year.
It's such a lovely season,
What was my reason?
Now I've waited too long.

I waited too long
to read the great books -
the History, the Classics,
the Bible I planned.
Others, too, through the years that have spanned,
Sadly, I've waited too long.

I've waited too long
To finish the cross-stitch
or the quilt top from fabric I've saved.
I look back o'er the years
and recall with some tears
Those little girl dresses I made.

I've waited too long
To learn to play jazz
at the piano I love so much.
My fingers, no longer nimble,
My hands seem to tremble,
I've simply lost my touch.

I've waited too long
Now that I have the time,
I can no longer see well enough.
To finish these tasks,
the time has passed.
Sadly, I've waited too long.

Touby Families celebrate Dorothy Touby Kearney

The last week of February, 2013, marked a gathering of Touby families to celebrate the life of Dorothy Touby Kearney.  Sister to Virginia, now the only one remaining of the five Touby sisters.   Mother to Mark and Caroline.  Nanny to Jennifer, Kari, Nate and Matt and their children, Elise, Kylie, Caden, Nina, Ethan and Evan.

Here are a few photos of our time together.

Dorothy T. Kearney

Dorothy T. Kearney, 95, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 2:55 p.m. at Waterford Place Health Campus in Kokomo.  She was born May 8, 1917 in Howard County, the daughter of Emmett and Elsie (Locke) Touby.  On November 4, 1942 she married Fred Billings Kearney in Kokomo, and he preceded her in death on January 7, 2006.

 Dorothy grew up on the family farm in rural Howard County. She was a 1935 graduate of Howard Township High School and went on to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Ball State University.  She taught at Wallace, Riley, and Roosevelt schools in the Kokomo-Center School system for over 30 years, retiring in 1978.  Following her retirement she was instrumental in establishing the interdenominational preschool, Joy Day.  Known to many as "Nanny", she will always be remembered for her creative ways and love for children.

She was an active member of the Rich Valley and Northview Christian Churches. She was also a member of the Kokomo Art Association, Materian, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Home Study Club.  As a member of the Kokomo China Painters Association, she loved to paint china  and share her artwork as gifts.

She is survived by her children, Mark (Pauline) Kearney, Kokomo, Caroline (Kent) Tudor, Delaware, OH, grandchildren, Matt (Kelley) Kearney, Kokomo, Jennifer (Dan) Hedrick, Westerville, OH, Kari (Matt) Stegner, Delaware, OH, and Nate Tudor, Delaware, OH, great-grandchildren, Ethan & Evan Kearney, Elise, Kylie, & Caden Hedrick, and Nina Stegner.  Her  sister, Virginia Coan, Greentown, and several nieces and nephews also survive. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, George Touby Kearney, and three sisters, Louise Coan, Frances Touby, Joan Coburn. 

 The family wishes to thank her friends and the staff at Northwoods Commons, Waterford Place, Wagoner Medical Clinic and St. Joseph Hospital. 

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Northview Christian Church, 2059 N. CR 100 E. Kokomo, IN 46901 with Reverend Charles Armstrong officiating.  Private burial will be held at a later time at Crown Point Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2013 at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd. Kokomo, IN 46902.

Auntie Marianna

Marianna Riddick was one of my mother's best friends.  They met at college and remained close all through the years.  We kids always called her Auntie Marianna.  She was the best entertainer!  She played the piano and sang with us.  She held all our kittens.  She wrote and illustrated voluminous letters. Mother said of Marianna just today, "Marianna was the most truly genuine person I have ever known."

Marianna Riddick, July 2010

Marianna passed away on April 5 at the age of 90.

Jan. 17, 1922 - Apr. 5, 2012

LAGRANGE - Marianna Riddick, age 90, died on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, IN. Marianna was born on January 17, 1922 in Plymouth, Indiana, the only child of Paul Merrill and Lois Lucille (Dilley) Riddick. The family moved to LaGrange in 1928 when Mr. Riddick assumed ownership and editorship of the LaGrange Standard and News. Marianna graduated from LaGrange High School in 1939. She attended Albion College before receiving an undergraduate music degree from Ball State and a master's degree from Northwestern University.  She studied foreign language while studying and performing opera at LaScala Opera in Milan, Italy. In 1963, she was awarded the outstanding music alumnus of the year from Ball State University. The greater number of her teaching years were spent as a music teacher and administrator in the South Bend Community School Corporation, where she wrote and produced a series of music lessons that were broadcast on the school's Educational Radio station, WETL. She was an active member of several musical and educational organizations including Tri-Kappa Sorority and Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher's honorary organization. She was member of the First United Methodist Church in South Bend, IN. Upon retirement in 1981, Marianna returned to her parents' home in LaGrange. She was active in Coterie, the LaGrange Cultural Arts Council, the LaGrange County Retired Teachers Association and a member of the First United Methodist Church in LaGrange, IN. Marianna has no immediate family survivors.

Published in South Bend Tribune on April 7, 2012

While studying voice in Italy, Marianna lived with Adriano Bogoni and his wife Maria Pia near Milan.  Adriano was an artist and did this portrait of Marianna.  Below are a self-portrait and a portrait of Maria.

Virginia and Marianna at the Riddick home.

Marianna and Virginia at the Touby home. 

Virginia and Marianna in July, 2006

Virginia and Marianna with Stephanie, Sarah and Emily

Marianna and Jane

Marianna and Nancy

Marianna and Virginia - July 2010