Myrtis in Memoriam

Posted on by Todd Elsworth Posted in Reflections
Yesterday was our maternal grandmother’s birthday. This is what our “sweet” mother wrote about her mom:
 
“Your Grandmother Mildred Myrtis Hooper Mancuso was born, along with her twin brother Curtis, on May 19, 1911 in Chillicothe, Texas. Her parents, Isadora and Gustavas had a large,Texas-size ranch and a big Texas size family with 8 kids. They went to a one room school house, dodged tornadoes, rode horses, shot rattlers, ate watermelon and kept the parlor for entertaining guests. They could roam wild and free but when home proper etiquette and manners were strictly enforced by their Mother. When I look back on my childhood, my brothers and I were raised the same way!
MHooper

Soon after the banks crashed, the family moved in 1920 to Ilwaco Washington where they brought another ranch and raised cattle. Their Texas accent was a novelty and a source of teasing. Mom rarely spoke in school for a couple years. She always maintained a bit of that southern drawl and eventually became proud of her roots. Mom’s childhood dream was to be a nurse. When kids played cowboys and Indians..there always had to be a part for the nurse! She did fulfill that dream, becoming an RN and having a career that took her from Washington to California and on to DC. She specialized in surgery and then pediatrics. While she was working at providence hospital in Seattle she got engaged to a doctor who tragically died 3 days before their wedding.

Getting away from these memories, she left for a nursing position at Georgetown University Hospital in DC where she became a private duty nurse. Through one of her patients she met and married the quintessential city slicker…my Dad, Joseph Mancuso. He was the total opposite of her in most every way. Their black hair and dark eyes were their only similarity. She was considered an “American Girl” by his family, who was opposed to any non Italian marrying into the family. This may have been a factor in my parents leaving DC for the west coast and eventually back to the other Washington.

NurseMyrtis

She was an incredible woman who had the strongest fortitude and the gentlest of hearts We were cared for with the tenderness of a nurse and the strength of a ranch hand. She could grow an acre of vegetables, fix anything,……do carpentry, plumbing, electrical work…and oh could she cook!!! We were a family that didn’t have financial wealth but we were rich in an abundance of love and devotion from both parents. There is so much of my Mother in my being. and II feel blessed. The Yellow Rose of Texas is in my heart and soul. I love you Mom.” ~ Frances Marie Mancuso Elsworth

Rest in Peace Grandma!

Mildred Myrtis Hooper Mancuso

b: Chillicothe, Texas May 19, 1911

d: Redmond, WA

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