Mary Evelyn McGinn

Mary Evelyn Overton McGinn (1929-2008)

Mary Evelyn Overton was born to Ruth Evelyn Fowler and Louis Overton on April 5, 1929 in Memphis, TN. In 1930, she lived with her parents, her older sister Louise, her cousin Clarence Davis, and her grandmother Minnie Overton. Minnie had been widowed four years before, in 1926, and later died February 1931. The Overton family lived in Memphis- in a home they owned and was worth $1,500. Louis was a spoke turner at spoke factory. Mary’s younger sister, Doris, was born in 1933. Due to the Depression, the family moved to Arkansas, close to Ruth’s sister, Aquila Fowler Hoffman.

Throughout her parents’ marriage, Mary saw turmoil. Her mother, Ruth, was mentally unstable and would sometimes run off. Louis would have to go to convince her to come home. Ruth always came home.

Louis was remembered by his daughter, Mary, as a good man. He taught, Mary her times tables at an early age and she skipped a grade in elementary school.

The best estimate of timing is that Louis Edward Overton died in Pulaski country, Arkansas on January 14, 1939. Family memory is that he died of Malaria. When he died at night, Louis's child, Mary, remembered that she ran over to her Aunt Aquila's to tell her the bad news and somehow, Aquila sensed it, because she was waiting for her on the porch. Mary lost her father at 9 years old.

According to family memory of Mary Overton McGinn’s story, she had been forced to leave home (which home?) when Ruth tried to force her to marry the old man down the street at the age of 14 (approximate 1943). Mary moved away and though underage, started working at a factory making war supplies. When Ruth discovered her, she threatened to tell Mary’s employer that she was underage unless Mary paid Ruth a portion of her salary.

When she was 15, Mary was working as a waitress at the officer’s club on an army base in Memphis, TN. There she met and started dating John Joseph McGinn. They were married in May 20, 1946 when Mary was 17 and John 24.

Mary saw that her sister Doris was begging on the street

with her mother, so Mary asked Doris to come and live with her.

When John got out of the army, Mary and John first lived with his parents on Chapin Avenue. John became an electric motor mechanic. Mary convinced her husband to use his bonus from the army to build a house. He and Joe Catronio built the house at 47 Long View/Longue Vue in North Providence, RI and the family moved in the house in 1951. Mary was very happy that her children could now run around the house and make as much noise as they wanted. Her father-in-law lived over the garage after he was widowed. When her children moved out of the house, her sister, Doris, and her husband moved into the second floor.

Mary and John had 9 children: Patricia Gertrude (1947), Helen Frances (1948), Mary Louise (1949), Ruth Evelyn (1950), Joan Ester (1954), Linda Jean (1956), Theresa Ann (1958), John Joseph (1960), and Jane Pauline (1969).

Patricia’s middle name was after her great aunt, Gertrude Feeney. Helen had the McGinn family names, Helen (Aunt Nellie) and Francis. Mary Louise was named after her mother and maternal aunt. Ruth Evelyn was named after her maternal grandmother. Joan’s middle name is after her aunt Ester McGinn. Theresa was named after St. Theresa of the Roses, a picture that hung over her crib. John and Jane were both named after their father (Jane sounds like John), and Jane’s middle name is after her paternal grandmother, Pauline Feeney McGinn.

Linda Jean was born a “blue baby” with Down Syndrome. She died in her crib at age of 7 in the room she shared with her sisters Helen and Ruth. Linda was a sweet, happy little girl.

Mary was an amazing, hard-working woman. When the family was in danger of losing the house, she rejoined the working world as well as managing a large, happy family. She worked as a waitress and hostess for the Holiday Inn, Providence. She was the owner of Maritique Cosmetics. She also was site manager at Rumford Towers and Hagan Manor. She graduated from the Institute of Real Estate Management and was licensed in Rhode Island and Florida. Yet every night, she would make sure that her family had a healthy dinner on the table with at least two vegetable dishes.

Mary, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother died July 5, 2008 in North Providence, RI.

Obituary

Mary McGinn was born in Memphis, TN., she was the daughter of the late Louis and Ruth (Fowler) Overton. Mrs. McGinn had worked as a waitress and hostess for the Holiday Inn, Providence. She was the owner of Maritique Cosmetics. She also was site manager at Rumford Towers and Hagan Manor. She graduated from the Institute of Real Estate Management and was licensed in Rhode Island and Florida.

Mother of John J. McGinn, Patricia Marshall, Helen Sheehan, Mary Hoffman, Ruth Bucci, Joan Piccardi, Theresa and Jane McGinn, and the late Linda McGinn. Sister of Louise Roberson and the late Doris Montanaro. Grandmother of 9 and Great-Grandmother of 7.