Maggie (Small) Stroop

Maggie Stroop - ca. 1924

Margaret Hester “Maggie” SMALL, daughter of Robert Andrew SMALL Jr. (1855-1883) & Maggie Capitola FITZSIMONS (1858-1936) was born on 13 Apr 1878 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA.  Maggie died in the Panama Canal Zone (CZ), in Gorgas Hospital, on 6 Nov 1947; she was 69. Burial was on 10 Nov 1947 in the Corozal American Cemetery in the Panama CZ. See Memorial #19246379 on findagrave.com.

Maggie and Hayes were married in Mahoning County, Ohio on 6 Jul 1898. Hayes was 21 and Maggie was 20 (although the marriage record shows her as 21). No city name is shown on the marriage record; however, it is assumed that they went to the county seat which was (and still is) Youngstown.  No reason for marrying in Ohio has been found. Youngstown is about 70 miles from Pittsburgh, over the Pennsylvania, Ohio border.

Click on image to enlarge.

I REMEMBER MOTHER

By

CLYDE

I remember Mother, the best true friend and counsellor I ever had or hope to have.

I remember her as the gayest - the most helpful when help was needed - and one of the best card players I ever played against. I suspect she lost many games to me on purpose, just to make me feel good! She was that kind of person, and seemed to enjoy losing as much as winning.

I remember Mama when I was 15 or 16, and I went on the town one nite and got lit, and got home about 3:00 A. M. She was waiting up for me, met me at the foot of the steps and took my shoes off so Pop wouldn't hear me come in, then put me to bed in her room so Pop wouldn't know I had been tight when he got up. I don't think he ever knew about it!

I remember the first time she caught me smoking corn-silk. She gave me 10¢ to buy a package of Camels and when I brought it home she gave me one and told me to come to her when I wanted to smoke. This took all the enjoyment out of doing something I shouldn't so it was many years later before I smoked again. She was a good and understanding teacher.

I remember Mother for her great love for her family. Without it, we would have been bereft of the prime need of growing children and as adults.

My Mother was the only person who ever said “I am very proud of you” (when I was promoted to S. S. Ticket Agent), and that was the highest honor ever bestowed on me.

My blessed mother!

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By

HESTER

I remember Mama for the first time when I was about 3 years old. It was just before Hayes was born and Mama was baking pies, so she gave Ethel and I some dough and we made pies too and put them in the oven and turned on the gas for them to bake. Of course we didn’t light the oven, and when Mama lit the stove, it exploded and burned her face and hands and arms very badly.

I also remember how wonderful she was with each and every one of us. When Ethel and I would bring our joys and sorrows to her she was our age, and in less time than it takes to write this, she was as young as Bertie and Doris and playing their games with them! She was such a help to me through my whole life. She taught me right from wrong and was quite adamant that we do right, but when we did wrong she was so understanding and forgiving but never condoned our wrongs.

Mama left a heritage of love for one another and all mankind, as well as love of all things beautiful, and love of all music, but especially good music. 

As for me, I remember what a pal Mama was. She understood me better then anyone, as she did all of her children. I remember one time she wrote and asked me if I needed her on a certain day at a certain time, and I really had needed her then, at least for moral support or something. I remember how elated she was when she went visiting her children.

Oh yes, I remember how Mama played the piano at anytime for anyone and as long as anyone would listen. She loved to play the piano as much as she loved to eat - and she always loved to eat! I remember she was always planning picnics and parties for us and gave them too.  One time, when we all got off a street car, the conductor said “Are you sure you have them all, lady?” and Mama replied “Just one minute - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Yes, thank you, they are all here”.

I remember another incident. On our first trip to Panama, Mama was ascending the stairs to the Social Hall on the ship when she heard a voice saying “Oh Superintendent, Superintendent, Superintendent of the Orphan Asylum!? - and Mama turned and smiled and said “Yes”. She was such a good sport about everything. 

I remember so much more but I guess I had better get on.

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By 

ETHEL

I remember Mama when I was about 6 years old, and she had made a cake for choir practice to be held at our house - and the cake fell - so she sent out and bought cake for the people who came that night, and next day she allowed all of us to invite every kid in the neighborhood over for a party! Then she took the cake layers and “iced” them with all the odds and ends of jam, jelly and peanut butter in the house and cut each layer into diamond shaped pieces no larger than 2 inches and each child got one piece - and you never saw happier children - WE HAD HAD A PARTY!!

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By

HAYES

Sorry the Movies, TV, Etc., make my saying sound re-used, but “Most of all, I remember Mother” - her lifetime of deep-rooted devotion and love for her large family - her love and smile offered to every living thing - her sacrifices in favor of us all - her efforts to side with us against any adversity - her joviality and quick wit when she had any part to play hostess (or helper to a hostess) - her natural ability to make and keep friends - even beyond the grave - and, selfishly I suppose, I remember, and never shall forget, how I have always believed she bestowed love on me - who deserved least of all. Only God, in his infinite wisdom, will every really know how I miss her, how I wish I was endowed earlier in life to demonstrate my feelings to the one who bore me - M O T H E R !

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By

VIOLET

I remember Mama - When I’d come home (611-A Ancon Blvd.) very late at nite after one of the Ancon Clubhouse dances and find her sitting on the front porch playing cards (whole games of bridge all by herself!) and when I’d come in I would sit down with her and start telling her jokes and she would roar with laughter - at about 2 in the morning!! People used to tell us they heard us and how wonderful she sounded!

I remember Mama - playing the piano for me when I danced on the stage - and how she would laugh so hard she could hardly play - and we’d both be performing just for each other.

I remember Mama - laughing and happy!

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By

BERTIE

Mother was my pal, my friend, my champion and my confidant. She was always urging us on to make ourselves whatever we wanted. I remember Mother getting ready for the big card party - her pink satin and lace evening dress, etc. She looked so beautiful! That was the time she had her hair fixed at the beauty parlor and she was so excited! But I couldn’t get her to use lipstick. She always had such fun going to all the card games she could. I loved the many opportunities to be her partner but I also didn’t mind when she had someone else for a partner because of the immense satisfaction she had out of going to a card party!

I remember the one time - it was the first time, I think, that I had had to stay out all night - Bobbie Ann was little and I took her when I was invited on a trip to Gorgona Beach - and the gang didn’t want to leave until dawn. Mother was on the porch with a cotton blanket around her shoulders. She assured me she had been sure I was all right but she just couldn’t sleep - but now she was going to bed!

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MAMA

By

DORIS

I remember my Mama as one of the most jolly and the sweetest, best woman of my life. How she worried about me and laughed at me, both at the same time. How she used to love to play cards! I used to wait for her to come home from playing cards and then she and I would enjoy an onion sandwich or a Limburger cheese sandwich! 

She was wonderful to all of us. Everybody loved her and she loved everybody!

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER TAINAW

By

BOBBIE ANN

Studying her lessons and dressing me for Sunday School.

Playing the “laughing song” and making us all laugh!

Playing solitaire by the hour.

Fixing a St. Patrick’s birthday dinner for Pap-Pap.

And one day, when I was very small, Tainaw made doughnuts, and I was thrilled beyond words!

Eating licorice with me.

Laughing so hard at Donald Duck that I was forced to laugh myself even though I was embarrassed! (I was about 6.)

*****************************************************************************************

I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER

By 

WILLARD

A jolly, lovable old lady who had part of my heart with her always when I was near her or thought of her.

The temper of an “Irish Washerwoman”, who loved those dear to her with the same kind of strength of emotion.

A woman who showed kindness to strangers who carried their memory of her halfway around the world. I met three of them in India and they talked with me for a full evening about the wonderful “Club House Lady” they met in Panama.

You didn’t meet my Grandmother but what you knew you had encountered a “Lady”!

*****************************************************************************************