My maternal aunt, Alice Elizabeth Harte, has been an inspiration throughout my adult life. Her story is personal to me, but I believe it is an example of the never-give-up attitude that is characteristic of so many immigrants who came to America and became part of the country's fabric.
Like so many others from around the world, during the last part of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th century over four million Irish immigrated to the United States seeking a better life. One of them was Alice Elizabeth Harte. On October 5, 1904, Alice, 21 years old with five dollars in her pocket and one suitcase, arrived in New York City. The ship's manifest noted Alice's occupation as "Servant," but for the US District Attorney of New York, Henry Wise and family, she was deemed a "nurse" to the family children.
On October 5, 1904, 21-year-old Alice Elizabeth Harte arrived New York City with five dollars in her pocket and one suitcase. Like so many other young female Irish immigrants, she became a “nurse” (nanny) to many wealthy families. She is pictured here with the McKelvy children in Easton, PA.
Alice the “Nurse,” AKA Beloved Nanny
By 1920, Alice was working for the Frank McKelvy family in Easton, Pennsylvania. Frank McKelvy was the First Vice President of the Alpha Portland Cement Company. Alice was beloved by the McKelvy family, especially by their daughter Louise, known as "Weedie."
By 1927, Alice had moved to Union Vale in Dutchess County, New York, to be closer to her sister, and my grandmother, Mary Harte McCleary. In October 1927 Alice married a widowed farmer, Patrick Quinlan. Patrick had been married to Margaret McGolric Stanton, a second cousin of Alice and Mary Harte and who came from their same village in Ireland. Alice was back to living a farmer's life.
Aunt Alice (circa 1940) with four of the five Gackstatter siblings that came to live on the Union Vale, Dutchess County N.Y. farm in 1932. Also pictured is Peggy’s mother, Mary McCleary.
Alice the Foster Mother
Never having children of her own, she and Patrick became foster parents to five siblings whose father and mother had abandoned them in a New York City apartment. This was the Depression Era, and sometimes people committed cruel and drastic acts in order to survive. Others did what they could to help those who were disadvantaged. Alice worked with the Catholic Charities organization to ensure these city children could remain together as brothers and sisters.
Sadly, in 1937 Patrick Quinlan died tragically in an accident on the farm. Their marriage had lasted a brief ten years. After Patrick's passing, Alice continued to live on the farm. She eventually worked as a seamstress at the Harlem Valley State Hospital nearby.
Alice the Networker
Alice was always willing and eager to help others. My favorite story of Aunt Alice is how she helped my father start his business. Anthony Pasquariello started his own company, Cesco Steel, in Torrington, Connecticut in 1947, the year I was born. This was a steel distribution and construction company and to get started properly, my father needed some supply companies with whom to establish a continuing relationship. At that time, the largest and most impressive company was the Bethlehem Steel Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. How could Alice Harte possibly help my father?
It turns out that her former McKelvy charge, Louise "Weedie" McKelvy, was now the wife of James Walker, the CFO of Bethlehem Steel. An introduction from Alice to Walker opened the door to a long relationship where Cesco Steel provided customers a wide range of steel products from Bethlehem Steel for many years. Alice knew a thing or two about networking before there was a name for it!
Lessons from my Great Aunt Alice
Alice Harte died in 1966 at 83 years old, in Duchess County, New York. She left a small inheritance to my mother. Alice's legacy and life lesson is to never give up—to adapt to whatever obstacle appears. Her grit and grace are the gifts she left me and my family, and generations to come.