Mathilda (Tillie) Dorothy Horrigan

"Tillie", "Granny", "Dondee", "Ninnie", the family matriarch, short in stature but full of will and life, Mathilda had several nicknames from family and friends, Tillie, Dundee, Ninnie and best of all, Granny.  All learned to respect her wishes or suffer her wrath. Holidays were family gathering times and Granny- Dundee- Ninie-Tillie was always at the center! Holidays weren't the same for all if there wasn't a visit to Granny's. A less than 1200 square foot house on sixteen acres was always filled with at least thirty to sixty relatives and friends. Granny would make some vegetable dishes while Po Po cooked one of his delicious entrees, with children by their side. The aroma of Aunt Dot's sweet baked ham filled the kitchen. Uncle Richard would arrive carrying his assortment of pies from New Orleans' Dixiana Bakery. Just a stone's throw away, we could hear Aunt Gladys preparing breakfast for her Barrios clan with coffee brewing and the smell of buttered toast. Uncle Roy, if not working on some freighter in foreign seas  would be out in the field mending a fence, smoking his Chesterfield King. Uncle Pat would arrive with his crew pouring out of a new T-Bird. The kids and some adults would gather in the field to play their annual "Toilet Bowl" football game hoping the grounds were a little wet so all could slide in the mud. Some would gather for beer, wine, and high balls playing Canasta while others sat around a large black and white television enjoying the bowl games.If one was contemplating a relationship with someone special, a proper introduction to the family was followed by Granny's introduction, after all she was the matriarch! Many considered this introduction more of an inquisition with a bombardment of questions. The matriarch maybe gone now but the memories will always be in our hearts. This five foot woman with her parental authoritative finger pointed at the receiving party evidently needing this very subjective advice was a sight to behold. Most towered above this lady but all stood at attention listening as she directed her advice as if it were a top military command. I use to think this was out of fear but as we grew older we all realized it was out of love and respect for the woman who had a hand in raising all of us. I'd be in remis if not adding some of our memories of Granny. Mass was always Sunday morning at a small, Catholic chapel less than half a mile away. Granny insisted all staying with her attend this mass. Pews were occupied according to families and the priests who always seemed to be Irish would preach fire and brimstone. H.J. Heitzman, my cousin and I were expected to serve this mass as altar boys. Granny could be found every evening praying on her hardwood floor next to her bed. She would pray for her loved ones. Granny and Popo always had separate bedrooms at the front of the cottage. Her bed was of particular interest. As her mattress became worn, relatives would purchase a new mattress which she insisted should be placed atop the old. Her mattresses were stacked three high. This was a sight to see Granny's five foot body mount the high bed.

  As mentioned previously, Granny might have ten or more grandkids staying the weekend. She believed in healthy meals and healthy bodies. She believed a weekly cleanout of one's colon was a necessity. Friday evenings before bedtime meant a lineup of kids to receive a tablespoon of  "Milk of Magnesia". Her cottage had two baths, one, within the house, the other in the rear washroom. Mornings found children lined up at both anxiously waiting their turn!

   Her cottage had a large, screened front porch. It wasn't unusual to find Irish priests sipping a few while enjoying the porch breezes under the huge oaks. There was never a need for a holiday as friends and family would gather throughout the house celebrating life. The Woolys, Murphys, Millers and other families could be found laughing while telling stories of old. Granny's friend, only known by "Na-nan Beulah" appeared ancient, thin, with white hair, sipping a high ball would respond to these stories with sharp, enormously funny comments. One would readily see this woman as articulate and with a very sound mind at her age. 

Michele--Great Job Fenner, but, here's my memories... My oldest memories start with riding tricycles up and down the sidewalk from Grandma's (Dorothy) house to Granny's, but, NEVER, bumping her screen door or disturbing her...If we, my brother, Joe and I, ever disturbed her, my Grandma would be on us in seconds 'cuz she would get a call from Granny from...601-467-6986 which was her number at the time...I remember it like it was yesterday on the rotarie phone!! I remember many afternoons staying with my beloved Grandma and having to be alone approximately 30 minutes, which seemed like an eternity, 'cuz Granny would call my Grandma, who was a ritired Labor and Delivery nurse and saying, "put Dorothy on the phone, my 'utrus' fell." Being a Labor and Delivery nurse myself now, this makes me chuckle with the memories of what this actually entails for a daughter to a mother!! Ewwww! I also remember if you sneezed, she ALWAYS had tissue and Dr. Tichenor's in her pocket to dot her nostils and say, "Gawd, bless you!!"

One day, Granny feeling her oats and Grandma needing to take care of certain things in her house, brought us over to visit. Oh, how she loved my brother, Joe, who used to be called, Jo-Jo. She LOVED to dance and listen to music with him, especially Hank Williams, SR., and also Chuck Berry. On one of our many visits, she was dancing around with her Chuck Berry LP. She called Joe and I in and what the hell was playing, "my Ding-a-Ling" and my Grandma was LIVID! She TRIED to intervene with the song due to the liriques, but, Granny was in a great mood and simply told her to go away! My brother and I danced until we were exhausted as she played it over and over for us. I'll never forget it! That's BEFORE sensoring was available, but, Granny didn't care, she danced and pranced with her button up house coat, one corner lifted by her finger, and didn't even care as we all danced around in her front living room to her record player!! That's when I learned what a "ding-a-ling" really was later on in that day when I asked my Grandma while we were picking up chicken eggs iin her coops!

Nights when I spent with my Grandma,which were many in the late 1960's and early 1970's, there was a routine...Approximately 6 PM, she went to Granny's to draw her bath then came back. About 7PM, we both went over to her house. Granny knelt at her sanctuary for her rosary as Grandma and I did the sign of the cross and we went into the kitchen to wait for her to finish her prayers. (Remember her rocker in the kitchen??) As we waited, Grandma would just sit and rock then prepare Granny's jelly jar of water and cover it for beside her bed. Then she would prepare her morning "Irish Coffee." When Granny would call to tell Grandma that she was ready, we would go into her bedroom, removing her big Lion and Leopard upon her bed that Grandma made up every morning, she would roll down her covers, Granny would take her meds with her water (don't know what they were) and my Grandma would assist her with undressing, locking the doors and tucking her into bed for the night.

If there ever was a time you got in trouble, Granny always had a story to tell you about when she got in trouble for that same particular situation and how it turned out. You NEVER wanted to get in trouble by Granny! Her big eyes on you and that crooked finger shaking at you, you KNEW your life was in BIG trouble!

I can go on and on with all of the wonderful memories, but, I am probably going to write a book of my life and need to save it. I loved my Granny dearly and there is a great place in my heart for her that has a resonated love and respect for her forever that has carried on to my own children. I miss her dearly! Love your Granny!

We all remember the strict disciplinarian in Granny but we also loved the woman who advised, guided and raised several generations. There is a larger story behind the family matriarch that deserves being told: