Classically trained to the level of masters in the art of baking in their homeland of Switzerland, Theodore and Marie dreamed of opening a bakery of their own…
Coming to America to begin life anew, they settled in the wild west…a small town found, perfect for their growing family, and growing plans…
They worked hard—never complaining. While Theodore had many civic and church duties to tend to, Marie tended her babes and stayed up late into the night sewing all the clothes for her children…
…baking for all—bread each and every night…cookies and sweets…not much sleep was had for the hard-working Marie.
She also made beautiful wedding cakes to order…25 cents a cake.
And she was grateful for each and every penny…
After years of planning and saving, the time was right. A building built in the center of town. New bakery equipment and ovens were installed in the confectionary, as they would call it…a new home for the family built in the back—their dreams, at last, were coming true!
One evening, just before the shop was to open, a heavy-hearted Marie came to her husband… “I’m so sorry, Theodore…you will have to do this alone. I won’t be there to help you.”
A feeling? A premonition? We will never know…
Shocked, Theodore immediately called for the local doctor, who hurried over to the Brandley house to care for Marie. The patient he left to answer the urgent call had typhoid…and the doctor did not wash his hands afterwards…they just didn’t understand this simple safeguard yet…
Marie was delivered that night of a miscarriage…and contracted typhoid herself. After a few weeks of suffering, she passed away…
Her daughter, my beloved great-grandmother, Anna, remembers it as a time of unspeakable sorrow for their little family…
“I was 10 years old”, she writes, “just when I needed my mother the most…Everything now seemed lost. How could we go on without her love, courage, and the wonderful mother she was?”
The ovens and equipment were sold. The plans were given up for other things…and life DID go on. Marie’s love, teaching and example continued to help and bless the lives of her family, even after she was gone…
I knew her daughter, and saw evidence of Marie’s love and teachings myself. A far sweeter legacy than a confectionary could ever be….
Julie
{all papers & images on my heritage page (except for the Victorian hand brooch) found on Crafty Secrets’ “Creating with Vintage Illustrations” CD}
