Kathleen with her sister Mary Carley; Halifax, Nova Seotia (September 2011)

One special bond is that with her older sister Mary. When Kathleen’s mother died, she and Mary, who was ten years older, formed a special relationship. Mary had also come back to Kinkora during the war, bringing her young daughter with her, and that further strengthened their relationship. When Mary and her family moved back to Halifax from Ottawa, the two sisters were able to keep in closer touch with one another.

In her later years, however, Mary developed Alzheimer’s disease, and

was placed in a nursing home in Halifax. Kathleen visits her whenever she can. Although Mary’s memory has faded, Kathleen brings along old photographs which Mary instantly recognizes. The pleasure that Mary experiences during those visits is a poignant reminder of the happy times that they shared together. Kathleen sits, holding her hand, holding on to the bonds of family and loved ones.

As a mother and grandmother, she is gratified with the close ties to her family, and the ways in which her family, despite their busy lives, have kept in touch with her and with one another.

The members of her family also return the support given to them when they were growing up. One year, Kathleen was delighted to discover, on

188 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC