Nana,
my dad Bill, me with dyed black hair and Unk Ile (Maybelline's founder)- 1965.
Nana convinced me to dress up in a black
cocktail dress and heels, but when
Unk Ile took one look at me he said, "My god, Sharrie, you look like a 35 year old woman." I was 18. Nana missed the mark, since Maybelline wastargeting the teenage market in 1966 with a soft, natural sweet look. My hopes of
becoming a Maybelline model were smashed. Nana
watched me mope around a while, then said, "Sharrie, Darling, why don't
you go back to Chicago next summer and stay with your aunts and uncles,
meet your cousins and and get to know the Chicago branch of the family.
My
spirits lifted and I was on my way. Here I am, Queen of the super
rollers, with my sister, Donna with pin straight surfer girl hair. She was happy to see me go for the summer, so she could drive my 57 Chevy to
the beach everyday and surf. I over packed for every occasion and was
excited to take my first plane ride back to where Maybelline first began.
Nana encouraged
me to take notes so I could document my trip in a long letter to Unk
Ile when I got back. I did, and those notes helped me write part of my
book published 45 years later.
uncle
Ches and auntie Eva at their home on Mercer Lake.
It was here, as well
as with Auntie Mabel and uncle Chet, Aunt Verona and Aunt Bunny, that a story unfolded and a world gone by opened up. With
pictures, letters, and precious memories handed to me for safe keeping I pieced together a puzzle and The Maybelline Story was born.
After
two wonderful months of getting to know my aunts, uncles and cousins, I
returned to California, (as you can see I don't look very happy about
it.) I wanted to stay in Chicago and start college, but my parents
insisted I come home. So here I am at the airport, with my mother,
Pauline, My dad, Bill, Nana and little Preston and Billee. I did keep
a diary and wrote a 25 page letter to Unk Ile. He was quite impressed
with my writing and said, "Sharrie, you certainly have a way with words,
I think you'd make a great copy writer someday." I said, "no I want to tell your story." He told me that if I did he wanted to be remembered as the King of Advertising, not the guy who invented mascara. Read
more about my trip to Chicago, and meet the amazing Williams family
yourself in my book, The Maybelline Story.
There once was a little boy named Robert (Williams) Haines, who was so adored, it seemed nearly impossible, he'd ever find a bride acceptable to his doting family
After two adorable daughters, named, June and Marilyn, Eva and Ches Haines, rang the bells with delight, announcing the birth of their baby boy. Bobby was as close to a cherub as any child ever born, and with his curly brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and a sweet disposition, he was like no other.
Little Bobby, though having two doting sisters, was all-boy, growing up loving fast cars, cowboys and pretty girls. (Like most every little boy in the family!!) Bobby's parents encouraged his adventurous nature, believing, someday he'd grow up to be a man they'd be proud of.
And yes, Bobby did grow to be a fine young man, devoted to God, Country and Family, wanting nothing more than to someday find the perfect girl, settle down and raise a family.
Bob, with his sister's June and Marilyn.
So it wasn't that unexpected, when he was bit by the love-bug while a senior in high school. Enchanted by the most remarkable young Maiden, named Jackie, four years his junior - Bob knew, she was the one! Jackie was the new girl in school, from out West in Arizona, a cowgirl, really - now living in the big city of Chicago for the first time. Independent, adventurous - with beautiful blue eyes, and a stunning figure, Bob vowed to follow her to the ends of the earth. But when her family returned to Arizona in her senior year, Bob's family said, not so fast - she's too young son, you might be making a mistake. However, they'd raised him to be his own man, and this was the woman he wanted. So he followed 16 year old Jackie out West - willing to face what ever fate dished out.
As soon, as 17 year old Jackie graduated from High School, in 1953, she married her sweetheart in Prescott Arizona, and they soon started their own family. Bob and Jackie were so in love, nothing was going to stop them, no matter what!!
Jackie and Bob Haines, of the left, followed by Dick and Marilyn Haines-Westhouse, John and June Haines-Gary, Eva Williams-Haines. Below is David and Jerry Westhouse and June and Johns little girl, Kathy.
Soon the Enchanted Maiden, was part of the Williams-Haines family and over the years gave Eva and Ches, 6 grandsons, who grew up to be fine young men, just like their dad and granddad.
Bob and Jackie will celebrate their 62 Wedding Anniversary this year, and as Bob approaches his 83rd, Birthday in August, they remain the longest married couple in the entire family. Now that's a Love Story. Stay tuned for more romantic love stories from The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty, as Valentines Day approaches February 14th.
I like to brag about my Maybelline family, when ever I get the chance... as you can see from the Blog Posts I've done featuring my cousin Jerry Westhouse, below. Jerry is an accomplished race car driver, who is still connected to the racing world 43 year later.
Top fuel dragsters are the fastest sanctioned category of drag racers, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 330 miles per hour (530 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (300 m) runs in 3.7 seconds, or the full quarter mile (402 m) in 4.4 seconds.
Eva and Ches Haines, with their first grandchild, Jerry Westhouse, in the 1970's. Ches continued his love for beautiful automobiles until the end of his life and passed on his legacy to his grandson, Jerry. After the Maybelline ...
A glamor girl, Grandmother at 50, Eva holds her first grandchild, Jerry Westhouse, as a very dapper Ches, looks on. Try Eva's Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler, a quick. and easy recipe, that can be made to feed a small family, ...
Eva and Ches in 1952, with their first grandchild, Jerry Westhouse, Marilyn's son. Jerry grew up, influenced by his grandfather's enthusiasm for beautiful automobiles, and would eventually race them in the 1970's, and is still ...
Surviving are Marilyn's six children, Jerry Westhouse, David Westhouse, Kathy Obermaier, Robert Westhouse, Cindy Callaway and Lori Caveness; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A mass of Christian burial will ...
Jackie and Bob Haines, of the left, followed by Dick and Marilyn Haines-Westhouse, John and June Haines-Gary, Eva Williams-Haines. Below is David and Jerry Westhouse and June and Johns little girl.
I feel a special bond with Carlyle Blackwell Jr, because my father Bill Williams, my cousin Chuck Williams aka BB1, my cousin Jerry Westhouse and my great uncle Tom Lyle Williams all owned, collected or raced some of the ...
By 1955 all the Haines kids were married, in this picture we see, Jackie and Bob Haines - Dick and Marilyn Westhouse and their two boys - David and Jerry - John and June Gary, with their daughter Cathy, and their mother ...
Next row, Richard Gerald, John Gary, Bob Haines, Chris Haines, Jay Haines, Bob Westhouse, Steve Haines, Dave Westhouse & Kathy Gary, Mitch Haines & Lori Gary on the staircase. More Maybelline Vintage ads and family ...
The Groom was Dick Westhouse. Their first born son Richard Gerald was born the next year. Ches and Eva with ... Jerry July 23, 2011 at 8:16 AM. You forgot the Haines side. I was born in 1949. ReplyDelete. Add comment.
Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest. Labels: Baby Boomers, Chuck Willliams, Eva Williams Haines, Jerry Westhouse speedvision, middle class families, Nancy Williams Fesler, Vintage Hollywood ...
My grandfather Preston with his little sister Eve Williams, 1908
Nana was so proud of Maybelline's great success in the cosmetic field that she suggested I give a speech at school.....I did and I got an A+. From that minute on, I was obsessed uncovering the lost story about the people who shaped the Maybelline Company and my life. After spending precious time with my parents, grandparents, great aunts and uncles gathering memories, collecting photographs and vintage Maybelline ads, I was determined to write my book. Then, in 1978, My dear Nana died mysteriously in an arson related fire and I vowed not to let her memory die. So for the next 20 years I studied being an intensive journal keeper, using the Ira Progoff system, until eventually I found my writer's voice.
My father - great uncle Tom Lyle - Nana 1967.
When a fire burned down my home in 1993 and all my treasures were lost, I turned to my father, Bill Williams, to help me reconstruct a 963 page manuscript.
I believe I was divinely inspired to leave a legacy before a piece priceless piece of American history was lost forever. I hope other people will be inspired to research their roots, capture their family's story and preserve it for their children, grandchildren and beyond.
History is the greatest gift one can pass on and connecting with your ancestors is priceless. My Nana's words still ring in my ears today, "Sharrie Darling" she'd say, "you can lose everything, but nobody can ever take your background away."
Check out ancestry.com today and see who's in your family tree.
We little knew that morning, God was going to call your name, In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone. For part of us went with you. The day God called you home.
June, Bob, Ches, Eva and MarilynHaines.
You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one. The chain will link again.
The Cousins in 1934.....right to left....Tom Lyle Williams Jr holding baby Joyce Hewes, Helen Williams, Annette Williams, Bill Williams, Noel Williams, June Haines, Shirley Hewes,Marilyn Haines, Tommy Hewes, Dick Williams, Bob Haines.
June and Marilyn Haines.
Tony Williams-Shaver with Marilyn.
Marilyn with Tony
Marilyn with her parents Eva and Ches Haines.
June, Bob and Marilyn.
At The Villa Valentino, Eva, June Tom Lyle and Marilyn...in the pool, Ches and Bob
Eva and Marilyn.
Bob and Jackie Haines, Dick and Marilyn Westhouse, John and June Gary, Eva Haines, David, Jerry Westhouse with June and John's, daughter Kathy.
Eva, Marilyn and Tom Lyle Williams, at his home in Bel Air California.
Bobby Westhouse, Tom Lyle Williams, Marilyn and John Gary, Lori and Cindy Gary in Bel Air.
Eva and Marilyn with Marilyn's grandchildren.
The Haines family...Eva and Ches' 45th Wedding Anniversary, 1969. Marilyn first on the left seated next to Jackie Haines.
Marilyn, Ann Louise and Shirley at the Family Reunion at Bob and Jackie's in Virginia, 1990.
John Gary, Gloria Williams, Jackie Haines, Marilyn Gary,Bill Williams, Bob Haines. Family Reunion.
Marilyn and John's home in Virginia, the hub of family joy and Happiness for over 30 years.
This picture encapsulates everything Marilyn loved - family, animals, nature, and her home in Virginia. One other thing she loved was plants. Marilyn told Shirley it took her hours to water all the plants she kept in her huge home. She was truly a nurturer. (Linda Hughes) Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me-- God wanted me now, God set me free. Darling Marilyn Rest in Peace....
In the Arms of the Angels
Marilyn Gary's Obituary
Marilyn Frances Gary, 83, of Natural Bridge, formerly of Chicago, died on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 at the Lexington Court Nursing Home in Richmond, Virginia.
She was born on April 11th, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois,
the daughter of the late Chester and Eva Haines. In
addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death
by her beloved husband, John Gary.
Marilyn was a devoted and incredible wife, mother,
grandmother, and great grandmother. A lover of animals and the environment, she took great pleasure in caring for her numerous dogs, cats, and horses as well as exploring the Shenandoah Valley. She spent a significant amount of time nurturing her environment by cleaning litter and debris from roads, streams, and rivers - as well as caring for the home she loved, Forest Oaks.
Surviving are Marilyn's six children, Jerry Westhouse, David Westhouse, Kathy Obermaier, Robert Westhouse, Cindy Callaway and Lori Caveness; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11 A.M.
on Saturday, October 20th, 2012 at St. Patrick's
Catholic Church by Father Joe D'Aurora. Burial will be at
High Bridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery,
Natural Bridge. Marilyn's Eulogy
Good morning. My name is Andrew Westhouse – I am one of Marilyn Gary’s seventeen grandchildren.
LOVE That is the word that comes to my mind – and always has – when I think about Nana and the kind of Grandmother that she was. Nana loved with everything that she had. Indeed, she loved with every fiber of her being. And let me give you a few examples:
Nana loved adventure:
Visiting the Peaks of Otter and hiking to Sharp Top
Exploring Grey Ledge Climbing Indian Rock…and, if you were brave enough, sliding down the steep stream
And, of course, trips down the back road, in the truck, packed with kids and dogs Nana loved nature:
Cleaning up garbage on the side of route 11 and side roads Cleaning sticks and rubbish in the stream leading to the pond Swimming and playing at the waterfall at the Foot Bridge.
Nana loved to cover her mouth after a slight….OR A GREAT…slip of the tongue: Everyone can remember the famous Nana (cover mouth)
Nana loved animals:
Visiting the Cat House on the back road…and trying to make the water pump work
The Dogs – Shamus, Mata, Bridget, Anna, Kelsey, Inga
The Horses – Cricket, Sargent, Mimi, Blue, Finley, and, perhaps her favorite, Keatser
The Cats – Tiny Kitty, Prince Gary
…And about few hundred more…
Nana loved movies – however, there were two strings attached:
She had to have a big, soft paper napkin to put on the bridge of her nose to cushion the weight of her eye glasses
- AND –
(2) No animal of any species may appear - at any point - in the movie.
Nana loved to:
Laugh, she loved Church, Forest Oaks, reading, the Palm Parlor, a Wendy’s frosty, white wine and cigarette on the portico after 5, Little House on the Prairie, and, let’s not forget, peanut butter – jelly – bologna – and mayonnaise sandwiches …
-AND-
More than anything, Nana loved her family: Jerry, Dave, Kathy, Bob, Cindy, Lori, 17 Grandkids, 11 great grandkids …and counting, and…not least of which, the love of her life, Poppa…and, even with such a large roster to manage, she made everyone feel so special and so loved.
Nana also loved St. Francis of Assisi – the patron Saint of animals and ecology…two things that were so close to her heart. So it’s easy to see why these words, a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, so embodied Nana:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred, let me sow love Where there is injury, pardon Where there is doubt, faith Where there is darkness, light And where there is sadness, joy
O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love For it is in giving that we receive It is in pardoning that we are pardoned And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life Nana, we love YOU with all of our hearts and all of our souls. We are blessed and better people for having known you, for having been touched by you, and, more than anything, for having been so deeply loved by you. Memories of Marilyn I remember being amazed that Marilyn was very athletic, unlike the other ladies of her generation. As you know she loved riding horses, but I recall when we went to Mercer she water-skied. I especially remember because a ski came off and smashed into her leg leaving the biggest bruise I've ever seen, but she was very stoic about it. LLL (Linda Hughes) Here's Joyce's story:
When we grow up we often wish we had been closer as children with our relatives. But it usually doesn't work out that way. And as an adult Marilyn was such an exuberant person. I remember at the reunion at Bob and Jackie's house Marilyn just rushed me the moment I appeared on the scene. She was shrieking "Auntie Mabel, Auntie Mabel ". She insisted I looked exactly like my mother. She flung herself at me and almost knocked me over in her excitement. After greeting me, so to speak, that way she then dragged me around throughout the crowd yelling at the top of her lungs, as you know, "Look it's Auntie Mabel. Can you believe it? Can you believe it?!!" She was quite the character. Joyce Hewes Here's Shirley's story: Though Diddy and I seldom saw each other after she and John moved to Virginia we took great pleasure in long phone conversations, catching up on family news. We never lost our special connection. As young mothers Diddy and I took long walks with our first-born babies Janet and Jerry (the world's cutest) whose birthdays were one month apart. (Shirley Hughes)
Bill and his cousin June and Marilyn were best
buddies and played house by throwing
a sheet over the kitchen table and crawling underneath it with
snacks
from the pantry. Sharrie Williams
That was beautiful Sharrie. She was a very special gal. We will always remember zest for life. She was so dear to me always giving me a boost when I needed it. RIP our dear Ditty. (Jackie Haines) Wonderful article about Marilyn! She was so beautiful. Who do I send condolences to? (Donna Williams)
Steve Haines ...Perfect Sharrie, all my Love..............
Steve HainesHow I will miss my "Favorite Aunt" there aren't enough words!!! She is now RIP with my Beautiful Grandparents in this photo. How I miss those days, but so Blessed that I/We had them, huh, cousins? Love You ALL!!!
Sharrie Williams - I miss all of them so much. The fun, the laughter the thrill of being part of an amazing family. I'm so glad another generation of cousins are keeping the memories alive. X0
Jacqueline Ann Haineslove love love
Ann CarnerosLove the picture and the blog. I have a great memory of visiting Marilyn and John in Virginia, we had such a great visit lots of laughs and memories! I really bonded with her after seeing her Santa collection! Ann L.
Andrew Westhouse...Thank you for your beautiful piece on Nana Sharrie - it means a great deal to all of us. With love
Scott R. WilliamsGod Bless all in this family. Had great memories growing up With Aunt Marilyn and Uncle John. Loved the house and view!
Thank you all so much for your kind words about Nana. Her Memorial Service wil l be this upcoming Sat. - a week from today - (please contact me for information on Memorial Service.) The blog and stories will be such a good thing for everyone to see as we celebrate her life. Thank you Linda and Sharrie - please give everyone my love, Andrew Westhouse Watch this beautiful video of Marilyn's life, created by her son Jerry Westhouse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpXjVk7iJiI&feature=youtu.be
After
two wonderful months of getting to know my aunts, uncles and cousins, I
returned to California, (as you can see I don't look very happy about
it.) I wanted to stay in Chicago and start college, but my parents
insisted I come home. So here I am at the airport, with my mother,
Pauline, My dad, Bill, Nana and little Preston and Billee. I did keep
a diary and wrote a 25 page letter to Unk Ile. He was quite impressed
with my writing and said, "Sharrie, you certainly have a way with words,
I think you'd make a great copy writer someday." I said, "no I want to tell your story." He told me that if I did he wanted to be remembered as the King of Advertising, not the guy who invented mascara.
.jpg)
