Happy Birthday, Knarf!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Francis Galvin, known as Knarf: Godson of Seamus the Older; husband of Annette; father of Fiona; cousin, nephew and friend to many more. He is a steady, productive member of the Chicago commodity trading community.

Knarf has been the fifth brother in Jim's family since he was about 7. He is a fine man and a real character. Happy Birthday, Frank, and may you have 84 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keeep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Dear Hearts,

September 4th is the birthday of Henry Aaron Hareid: son of Kate and Aaron; brother of Ava, grandson of Mary Fran and Gary; nephew, cousin, teammate and friend to a lot of other lucky folks.

Henry has just started fifth grade and hopefully is cruising in the world of distance learning. He has always been and continues to be quite an athlete, skiing, playing hockey and baseball. He's also developed a passion for skateboarding and was so excited when his (first) cousin (once removed) sent him a ton of gear to use and wear while practicing.

Happy Birthday, Henry, and may you have 114 more healthy ones, according to the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

God Bless Boom Boom

Dear Hearts,

August 30th is the 117th anniversary of the birth of Marie Frances Sheehan Wiley in Chicago. Everyone called her Boom Boom.

She is the grandmother of all the Chicago Sullivans and the Whalens, the mother of both of those mothers, Mary Claire Wiley Sullivan and Helen Wiley Whalen. She was the wife of Boompa, Irwin Vincent Wiley--married in 1925. They had two daughters and 14 grandchildren. They lived to see about thirty of their great-grandchildren. Boom Boom died on 16 August, 1997, at age 94.

I think Boom was a beautiful example of holding tight to the goodness of the past and embracing the future and all it offers. It's amazing to think about our world in 1903 and the changes she witnessed her her lifetime. She taught us about so much, including loyalty, faithfulness and generosity. We all received the best quality of everything from Boom, with abundance.

Thanks for being such a wonderful presence in our lives Boom Boom.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Aida!

Dear Hearts,

August 31st is the birthday of Aida Labto Whalen: wife of Christian Martin Whalen; mother of Karen, and June; grandmother of Isabela, Seth, Jayden and Sophie; cousin, in-law, auntie and friend to many more. I may have missed some folks here, so I apologize for any ommissions.

Aida works at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center  and loves living in Missoula. She cherishes the role of grandmother to her adorable little ones and spends as much time as possible with them--whether in Missoula, Florida or wherever her family calls home. She is loving, kind and always a pleasure to visit.

Happy Birthday, Aida, and may you have 62 more healthy ones by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Lawrence III!

Dear Hearts,

August 24th is the birthday of Lawrence Kermit White III: son of Whitey (Lawrence Kermit White Jr.) and Signe; brother of Abigail and Dagne; 

Kermit is an aeronautical engineer who has kayaked with his father down the Missouri River in a reverse trace of the path of Lewis and Clark, traversed the entire Appalachian Trail (which is the climbing equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times), is an expert at detailing cars and an all-around great guy. Like his father and mother, he is what makes the country roll along.

Happy Birthday, Kermit, and may you have 83 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Dear Hearts,

August 24th is the birthday of Emma Jill Sullivan: daughter of Paul and Stephanie; sister of Hannah, Jack, Liam, Callum and Ewan Sullivan; granddaughter of Darlene; cousin, niece and friend to many more.

Emma has completed her first year of high school at St. Mary's, albeit it a Covid-19 finish, and has the right personality for staying home for school. Some may think it's just the boys in the family who come up with crazy hair or wacky challenges, but Emma is right there in the mix with them. She is brave, strong, beautiful, smart and very creative.

Happy birthday, Emma, and may you have 109 more healthy ones, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

Love, Patty

Happy Birthday, Damian!

Dear Hearts,

August 21st is the birthday of Damian Michael Whalen: son of John and Helen; brother of Christian, Teresa, Lisa and Mercy; uncle, cousin and friend to many. He has shared his talents with this world as a high school counselor, professor and teacher. Damian has a tender heart, creative mind and impressive intellect. He also is absolutely hilarious and has left many of his cousins with some terrific stories of his visits to Southern California.

Happy birthday Damian, and may you have 61 more years, by the Aunt Joannie Sullivan Law of Longevity Aspiration of 2008.

God bless us and keep us and save us from harm.

Love, Patty