Today, for the "Women's History Month" project,
it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to this amazing young lady that stole my heart the moment she walked into my studio.
Meet Eunice Savoy, 92, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 19 children, a warrior...
Eunice is 92 years young. Born on April 27, 1928 to Edith and Earl Jameson. She was the second oldest of 5 sisters. Living through the great depression and WWII she has seen a lot in her 92 years of life. At a young age Eunice's dad up and left her mother and sisters. Leaving her mothers only option to pull Eunice out of school a few weeks shy of completing her 8th grade year, so she could stay home to raise her sisters while her mother was working to provide.
Unfortunately even though Eunice was the main caregiver for her sisters, doing the cooking, cleaning and everything else a mom would do. Eunice withstood years of abuse from her mother. On top of taking care of her sisters, Eunice also began helping her mom provide for their family by delivering baked goods her mother would make. Every morning, even in snow and rain. Eunice would fill up her wagon with fresh baked goodies and set out to deliver them locally. Struggling to make ends meat, there wasn't always a lot of food to go around her family. Sometimes during her deliveries Eunice would sneak a few of the baked goods because she was so hungry and hadn't ate anything. Thankfully her mother never found out. Eunice also recalls before being taken out of school she would be sent to school without a lunch. Sitting in class with her belly growling she remembers kids used to bring potatoes to school to cook on the wood stove. She remembers being so hungry at times that she would sneak other peoples potatoes to put something in her belly.
Before her dad left the family, Eunice had great childhood memories of riding the trolley cars that her dad used to drive or going to her grandparents farm. That was her favorite place to be. Although Eunice never made it to highschool, she taught her self to read and write. She also learned to be an amazing cook and mother at a very young age. Being left home alone with 4 sisters she quickly taught her self all of the skills she needed to keep the house running while her mom was not home.
At the age of 14 she got her first job as a Nurses Aide at the Biddeford Hospital. Already being a great care taker she was a great fit and found pure joy in taking care of other people. Soon after starting at the hospital Eunice met her husband Real Savoy. He was 7 years older then her. Eunice and Real fell in love fast. She and Real married soon after and then at the young age of 16 they were expecting there first child. During their 61 years of marriage they created a very big family. Having 7 kids of their own. Loosing one son to a rare blood condition that was not well known during this time. Eunice now has 10 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Eunice continued working as a nurse. She was well liked at the hospital by her co-workers and her patients. Her husband was a pipe fitter at the shipyard. After 61 years of marriage he passed away in 2005 at the age of 85 on Thanksgiving day.
After selling their family home because it became too much work for Eunice on her own, she now lives in the Pines in Old Orchard and loves her little apartment. Eunice still drives, and still cooks her famous meals daily including her famous homemade fudge. Her favorite thing to do is babysit her 3 great grandsons Parker, Blake and Landon, visit with family and go shopping. Eunice is looking forward to her 93rd Birthday next month. As she always enjoys her family throwing her a BIG party at the Clam Bake every year. Last year Covid put a damper on her yearly party so her family planned a sweet birthday parade to celebrate and the celebration even made to Chanel 6 news. This year she's hoping she will be able to have her traditional party at the Clam Bake with her family.
Here is a picture of Eunice and her beautiful granddaughter, Brittany Dion!
Eunice's favorite quote is one of her own. Her advice is-
" You have to be strong, no matter what. Things get hard and you have to stay strong to survive".
It sounds like great advice coming from someone who has birthed 7 kids, lived through WWll, the great depression, now a pandemic and two heart attacks.
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Thank you Eunice, for sharing your journey and for te great advice!
#whm #womenshistorymonthproject #womensempowerment #womansupportingwomen
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