One of the many lessons taught to us by Annie Bianco Mower
was the importance of birthday celebrations. We imagine that she is celebrating her 105th
birthday today in a heavenly way with Aunt Jen, Aunt Angie, Aunt Marie and the
dozens of close friends Annie made over her many years of earthly life. Born in 1917 in Kingston, NY, Annie was raised
in the family home on Greenkill Avenue by her Sicilian born maternal grandparents
Biaggio and Barbara Commarata.
Like many of the girls her age, after graduating from
Kingston High School, Annie went to work at Hercules Powder Plant in Port Ewen,
N.Y.
“Anna Bianco, a real Kingston city girl, met a handsome Woodstocker, Al Mower, at the Spring Lake roller rink located just west of the city of Kingston on Lucas Avenue. In keeping with the social practice of the times, Al Mower converted from Dutch Reformed to Catholicism. The couple was then married on May 18, 1943 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kingston. A lovely wedding breakfast followed the service at the Rathskeller Restaurant on Fair Street.” American Tapestry the Mowers of Maple Lane pg 88
Maple Lane What
a Great Place to Raise a Family
“Raising
her family in her mother- in – laws house must have been awkward for Anne at
first. Eventually, Esther and Anne began
to share the household chores. There was a big, deep white enamel sink in the
kitchen, which made it easy to hook up the copper topped automatic wringer
washing machine. They would drag the washing machine from the hallway where it
was stored and push it into the kitchen. The only drawback, it had to be
emptied by hand with a pail. It seems as though every clear day was wash day on
Maple Lane. As the weather allowed, the clothes were then taken outside to hang
on the line. The girls, when they were young, would tease their mom by clipping
clothes pins to her skirt while she was hanging clothes on chilly winter days.
They would later have to help collect the board stiff clothes, usually diapers,
and bring them into the house to be placed over furniture to thaw out.”
American Tapestry the Mowers of Maple Lane, pg 92
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