Ethel Hollenden

My Aunt Ethel told me about her high school uniform at Hallahan Catholic High School for Girls. She had to wear a white, long sleeved blouse, stockings and a dark jumper with a skirt that came below the knee. In high school, she played clarinet and saxophone in the band. She also danced in shows and began to play piano. (by Michele Sorrenti Christensen)

Ethel was born at home (2525 W. Gordon St), as was common around that time. She was christened at The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Church. She grew up in North Philadelphia near Connie Mack Stadium. She attended Our Lady of Mercy Church and lived in the vicinity of Lehigh, Allegheny, 21st Street and Smedly Street. They lived 3-4 blocks from the stadium. They shopped mostly at local stores that were within walking distance such as a bakery and grocery store. Ethel lived at home until she got married to Ed, who lived in her neighborhood. They were together for 3 years before getting married and he shipped out in military service right after the wedding. After high school, she had secretarial training and worked in the accounting office of a bank and in a department store. Later in life, Ethel had various jobs including working at Matlock's Farm and at a florist. She had several home based business as well, including making finger sandwiches and dressmaking.

As a child, Ethel's mother taught her to sew and Ethel made all of her own clothes after age 12. She didn't have a store bought dress until later adulthood. Ethel made her own wedding dress and bridesmaid's dresses.

During the Great Depression, Ethel's father had a job, so the family was lucky to be relatively well off. Ethel's mother told her a story of having to walk to the corner store to use the telegraph before telephones. Ethel's brother Francis spoke of having a chance to buy stock in Bell Telephone and thought it was a bad idea.

Ethel's parents Charlotta and Thomas moved from North Philadelphia to Maple Shade, NJ in 1948 or 1949. After the Depression, Charlotta and Thomas wanted to move to escape the declining quality of life in the city. Ethel and her husband Ed bought land from Ethel's parents next door to their house for $1 and moved to Maple Shade as well in August of 1951. Ethel and Ed's son Thomas (Tommy) was born in March of 1951, but they were not able to move until August.