“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
― Jane Austen
It wasn’t easy for my Dad when his wife went to work outside the home. You see, the husband was the breadwinner in his day and the wife took care of the house and the kids. Dad probably saw himself, as others may have seen him, as being unable to provide for the family.
The “Seamstress”
Mostly known around the Braidwood region as “the seamstress,” mom’s talents far surpassed the needle and thread. Yes, she could make wedding and bridesmaid dresses from pictures (no patterns) as well as routine alterations for literally hundreds of people. All in her house. But while she sewed, she also created poems that were later written and hidden. My sister, brother, and I found copies of her work as well as an article she wrote for the Herald-News after she passed away in 1987.
Mom learned the sewing trade by necessity when she was very young. When her sister, Alice, was born on mom’s tenth birthday, their mother announced that she was through with raising any more kids. “Adele, baby #7 is for you to take care of. I’m done!”
Mom would cut up old dresses and the wardrobe of her sisters (causing more than a few problems) and make baby dresses for Alice. All by hand. With this early age self-training, mom became quite adept at visualizing from pictures. Wedding dresses would come later!
Other Jobs
As long as she worked in the house and took in sewing, that was probably ok in the minds of the traditionalists. Mom crossed the line when she went to work at the Rossi Macaroni Factory on the East side of Braidwood. She also worked later cleaning rooms at the Rossi motel for some time.
Her longest tenure outside the house, in a way, was being the coordinator of the Joliet Herald News delivery for all of Braidwood. All three of us kids, plus a number of other kids, delivered papers and collected the fees from our Braidwood customers. Mom became the best “paper folder” around while continuing her sewing and poetry writing.
She also helped some of the older people in Braidwood. She would take Mrs. Kaiser, Allie Dillon, and Mrs. Jeffrey for doctor appointments and shopping. Mom also prepared Sunday dinners for two elderly neighbors. At Christmas time, she would bake hundreds of cookies and distribute them to many old folks around town.
Self-help Health
Mom seemed nearly invincible when it came to her physical health, although she passed away at an early age of 68. When she was 46 years old, she survived an 8-foot fall through the attic over the garage while putting Christmas decorations away. Mom landed on her back on the concrete floor, and, after regaining consciousness, literally crawled up three steps into the kitchen and then to the living room couch, where she essentially healed herself over the next four weeks. Mom refused to go for x-rays or see a doctor.
Until she died in 1987, she had not been to a doctor since my brother was born in 1949. No needles, such as vaccinations or other injections, in her entire life! Her physical stamina and strong will may have also deceived and betrayed her, in a way, by convincing her that routine medical checkups were for other people.
Mom as a Jokester
One trait that few Braidwood people would never have suspected was mom’s rascally sense of humor. Her favorite time of the year was April Fool’s Day when we would accidentally discover that our coffee sugar bowl was filled with salt. She was notorious for serving water in unsuspecting guests “dribble” glasses. If you saw a wallet or purse on the street near our house, it may contain nothing but a note that said “April Fool! I’m watching you!”
Obviously, Adele Kennedy was a most talented, witty, and strong-willed woman who grew up during the Great Depression. She was also a loving mother and grandmother for her kids and grandkids.
“I have an independent streak. You know, it’s kind of hard to tell an independent woman what to do.”
Betty Ford
Braidwood Beginnings 
Remember your mother well, great lady.
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I’m thrilled to finally have the time to share your memories. This story made my day (And gave me some ideas).
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Tucked away in a little box where I keep things that are close to my heart. Inside that box you’ll find a skeleton key nothing fancy just a key. But what makes it special to me was that Aunt Adele gave me that key and told me it was the key to her heart. I was about eight years old when she gave it to me and I’ve treasured it since. She was one of a kind.
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Thanks, Troy. This is a great story and thanks for sharing it. Hope all is well with you.
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