The Cameo Brooch

My mother had a small collection of cameos:  two pendants, a set of earrings, and a brooch.  I always admired the creamy carvings with their peach backgrounds.  Mom -- the private one who revealed little about her past -- never mentioned the history of any of them.  They could have been gifts, heirlooms,  purchases, or....  When Mom passed away I assumed I would never know more about them.

Then I found my parents' marriage announcement with my Mom's other papers.  It reads,

                     Mineral Ridge Girl Marries

(Special to The Vindicator)

     Mineral Ridge, Sept. 16.--Miss Audrey Meinzen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meinzen, and Lee Doyle of Niles, were married at 7:30 p. m. Thursday in the Methodist Church.  Rev. Robert L. Clemmons read the service.
     The bride wore a gown of blue velvet with a cameo brooch, the gift of the bridegroom.  She carried an arm bouquet of pink roses.  Her matron of honor, Mrs. Earl Tuxford of Niles, was attired in wine crepe and carried fall flowers.  Mr. Tuxford served as best man.
     Mrs. Isabelle Woodward sang "I Love You Truly" and "O Promise Me" and Mrs. Phoebe Johnson played the traditional wedding marches.
     Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents.
     Mrs. Doyle was graduated from Mineral Ridge High school, class of 1933, and from Warren Nurses' Training school in 1937.  She will continue her work for the present.  Mr. Doyle is associated with the Niles Rolling Mill.
     Following a short honeymoon the newly weds will live at 20 N. Chestnut Ave., Niles.



"The bride wore a gown of blue velvet with a cameo brooch, the gift of the bridegroom."  As far as I know, Mom had only one cameo brooch, the one shown at right.  I feel confident to say that this was my father's wedding gift to my mother.

They were married on this date, September 15, in 1938.

--Nancy.

Copyright © 2014 Nancy Messier. All Rights Reserved.