On Saturday, February 26, 1949 Mom & Dad got married by Dad's Maternal Uncle; Heeroom
Back then, they were not allowed to get married during Lent. Ash Wednesday was on March 2nd; Easter on April 17.
Mom & Dad after Church back at her Parents' place where they celebrated.
Posing against a straw mat here. Still remember the many uses of those mats, back in the 1950s.
Mom's black georgette dress in a size 6, or 36 European.
She was very slim back then and also taller.
Got this photo via FB from my First Cousin Maria Van Hoek-Gielen (her Mom was my Mom's sister).
Professional photos made earlier at a studio
Photo from Heeroom, on his second departure to Timor, Indonesia on April 21, 1949, less than two months after he blessed Mom & Dad's matrimony.
He was one of my most favorite people and I've written him several letters over the years.
On the day of our arrival, our final visit to Dad in The Netherlands, we talked a lot about Heeroom.
With quite some research, I've found lots of information about him.
He died because of acute kidney problems, while at a conference in Manilla, Philippines and got buried there. Will write more about Heeroom later!
Dad was taking his nap, but he jumped up to show us the photos from Heeroom's solemn requiem Mass and burial.
Dad greatly admired Heeroom, he was very proud of him and talked fondly about him.
Sad, that my siblings did not give Dad his appropriate requiem Mass, just as Dad organized for Mom, where his fellow choir members could have sung...
Dad, who got his Royal Certificates for being a Choir Member for exactly 81 years to the date of his death. He got a Certificate for 70 and 80 years; unique in The Netherlands!
Half a Century later...
Ready for Church... Mother and 2nd born daughter (me).
Wearing my Escada suit that I found at the Chattanooga, Tennessee Escada Outlet.
St. Lambertus, the Catholic Church in Horst, The Netherlands
Above in this photo you view some 14th and 15th Century art work, rescued from the bombed Church.
Taken on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass.
As per Mom & Dad's request—I was the lay reader for their solemn 50th Anniversary Mass.
The Horster Mannenkoor sang, visible to the right.
That was the section where in my schooldays, the children were seated!
Walking back to the pew, to join Pieter and my siblings.
Dad's First Cousin made a video during Mass, brother Martin Van den Munckhof made the photos.
Sadly, their 55th, 60th and 65th Wedding Anniversary has not been celebrated with a Mass.
My sister Diny talked Mom & Dad out of that... only to rectify her own actions we think.
~
Husband Pieter did make a video during reception in the restaurant.
We first had coffee with pie, then dinner and afterwards the reception started.
Coffee and pie is being served during reception as well as alcoholic beverages and others.
What wonderful memories of happy family events. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, Matiette.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you and your family always.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteHope you did listen to Dad's singing as well...
Hugs,
Mariette
Cara Mariette hai postato dei bellissimi ricordi.Buon fine settimana.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteSoprattutto il canto di papà come primo tenore è eccezionale e un ricordo caro!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, I love your parents' wedding photo. In their later photos you have shown us, they never changed very much. You have many wonderful memories of special moments with your family, especially of your father's singing career, which is amazing. An atmosphere of mutual appreciation, such as with your parents and with your Uncle Heeroom, is what makes for a happy life and memories.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteThank you very much and yes, those photos and also the video by Pieter, are treasures now. Dad really appreciated Heeroom and so did I. It sure is a major ingredient for a happy life; the foundation for the soul, laid by a favorite family member with lasting memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
I had to write again, Mariette, because I hadn't realized that the last photo was a clickable link to the performance. What a lovely song, and so beautifully sung by your father and accompanied by the fine chorus. I truly enjoyed it as a performance, and the circumstances of his singing this song as well as the fact that I knew the singer through knowing you made it all the more meaningful.
DeleteYour father's voice is clear and strong, with an attractive timbre. Did he always sing this high, a high tenor or countertenor, or was that a special voice he used for this song? Please remind us or let us know if you have other recordings of his solo singing available.
--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteThank you and yes, I'd cut this section from Pieter's full video taken on their 50th wedding anniversary. Dad had an exceptional high voice, which he always used as being a first tenor. Only got some audio of him singing in this 2nd choir and Pieter once videotaped when that particular choir sang during a Mass at a nearby Church. Sad is that not the entire songs got taped, only fragments... But still valuable.
Hugs,
Mariette
Thanks for sharing these lovely memories, Mariette, and giving us some history lessons, too. Your mom and dad made such a lovely young couple!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteMom & Dad had to wait due to WWII as there was nothing right after the ending of it. But they always worked hard as a team and endured.
Hugs,
Mariette
Those wedding photos are a treasure. Was it the custom to wear black for your wedding dress? That seems so foreign to us now, at least here in North America.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Heeroom reminds me of a young, better looking Bing Crosby!
Dearest Kim,
DeleteGuess it was especially in the post WWII years a custom. Later it went back to white dresses.
There are indeed similarities with the young Bill Crosby and Heeroom.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! How interesting posting!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteA special day, 72 years ago... History made and fond memories left behind!
Happy with Pieter's video taping Dad's singing.
Hugs,
Mariette
Incredible Post - Those Are The Most Amazing Photos From The Late 40's - I Appreciate These Historical Items - Enjoy Your Weekend You Two
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dearest Travis,
DeleteYes, it is our family history and such photos have become cherished treasures as is the video of Dad's singing.
Hugs,
Mariette
These are priceless images .... your parents especially. Thank you for sharing and as always for reading my sometimes nutty poetry.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
DeleteThank you and yes, they are priceless and even more so at present.
Love to read always you special way of phrasing your thoughts!
Hugs,
Mariette
lovely hugs as always and stay happy
ReplyDeleteDearest Ron,
DeleteThank you very much and yes both of us are happy since we have an abundance of fine memories to look back on. They make a great cushion for old age!
Hugs,
Mariette
Wat prachtig gezongen. Dat was wel een heel speciaal optreden van je vader. Wat mooi dat het ook opgenomen is. Mooie foto's van het bruidspaar.
ReplyDeleteFijn weekend, lieve groet Willy
Beste Willy,
DeleteDank je en het was inderdaad, práchtig om het zo te kunnen zingen. Moeke genoot er ook zo van, ze was zo tróts op hem!
Ben reuze blij dat mijn Pieter zoveel tijd besteed heeft aan het opnemen in de zaal waar we aten en ook de receptie was.
Die foto's zijn heel bijzonder nu; een stuk geschiedenis waaruit wij allen zijn voortgekomen...
Liefs,
Mariette
Beautiful photos of your parents wedding Mariette. I think black wedding dresses are back in fashion, my daughter in law wore a gorgeous black dress when they married and believe me they are a super trendy couple 😉 Enjoyed the video of your father singing, how lucky you are to have it 💙
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteThank you and with the wedding dress color, that will change over the decennia and both look good. You might be able to still wear your black dress afterward!
Sure we are glad that husband Pieter captured this moment of Dad singing.
Hugs,
Mariette
Buenos recuerdos de un gran acontecimiento. Presiento que en sus años de convivencia son sumamente felices.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteMaravillosos recuerdos de una relación dichosa. Especialmente mamá era una mujer fuerte, aguantó mucho con muy pocos lujos... Orgulloso de ella como modelo a seguir.
Espero que hayas escuchado a papá cantando como una vez lo pediste... Me tomó un tiempo para digitalizar todos nuestros videos y luego para sacar este fragmento.
Abrazos,
Mariette