EklektikosByStar

Why did MiMi and Pop divorce?

8/14/19: Full story still unclear. But one claim thus far suggests that Everett had an affair with the woman he hooked up with after the divorce. Also, MiMi might not have been terribly keen on sexual relations. In fact, her daughter Beverly spoke of her binding her breasts.

Did you go to the downtown Seattle Rhodes Dept Store (and/or listen to the organist Harry Reed) with MiMi? Frequency? Did you ever observe her speaking to Harry Reed, or to Harry Reed’s wife? Any other memories related to any of the above, even if they were memories passed on through family conversations? Threats made by MiMi towards Harry Reed or his wife?

Do you have any memory of a KKK photo (with or without hoods) or any other memorabilia related to KKK activity in the Pacific NW? This might not have been in reference to African Americans, but rather anti-Catholic sentiment. Have you ever heard stories of Pop having attended any meetings?

8/14/19: One comment in the affirmative regarding a KKK connection.

8/22/19: Additional affirmative comment (making a total of three in my lifetime)– yup, Everett Hawkins (aka Pop, my maternal grandfather) had some involvement with the Klan! In all my contact with him as a kid, even once I was a young adult, I never would have pictured him hanging out with the bigots. But, lo and behold, he apparently did. The irony of this revelation is that it was MiMi that exuded an anti-Catholic view. At least I never heard of Pop trashing Catholics. Additionally, I cannot fathom MiMi ever socializing with the wives of the Klan dudes. Maybe she was having a vicarious experience (likely in the 20’s) through her husband. This is all making me wonder even more about my mom’s decision to convert to Catholicism. Perhaps she was rebelling. Betcha my Granny was royally pissed!

Have you been to the Olympic Hotel (now the Fairmont) Hotel? Or heard it talked about by any family members? Have you seen photos taken there, e.g., of the Spanish Ballroom (where Aud and Pop attended a holiday event, likely in 1933, put on by the Turrell’s Shoe Store)? Did you ever hear MiMi talk about clothing she made for Audrey, e.g., a white organza dress that Audrey wore to that event?

Do you have, or have you seen photos of Turrell’s Shoe Store, which was housed in the Burke Building (which was demolished)? Any memories related to Pop working at Turrell’s? Or stories regarding the Japanese-American man who packaged items for shipment at that shoe store (in the thirties, early forties)?

Any memories of when Pop was in Adak, Alaska? What MiMi was up to while he was away?

Any memories of MiMi discussing my pre-marital sexual activity? Be honest and specific, please. (Her attitude has already been expressed in a letter to me, so no need to be shy.) Also, in regards to chastity, or the lack of it, please elaborate on any references to differences between Bev’s purity and Audrey’s. For example, did anyone ever hear MiMi talk about Audrey cheating on Roy when he was overseas?

Was anyone privy to the fact that Ferne wrote TO Roy WHEN he was overseas…regarding an indiscretion on Audrey’s part? Or that one of the times Roy beat up on Audrey was likely when he was on leave immediately following that correspondence?

Any memories (or tales of memories) regarding physical abuse inflicted by MiMi on any family members? E.g., did anyone other than Audrey (as a child) have a rag stuffed in his/her mouth? Methods of punishment to others?

How did MiMi and Tex meet? Any memories of MiMi’s behavior towards Tex’s daughter (who I believe was mentally challenged)? When MiMi resided in a home behind where Tex’s daughter lived, apparently “with” Tex, was Tex living in both structures? Was his daughter’s name Phyllis? Was she NOT allowed in MiMi’s living space?

8/14/19: Taken directly from a response to the MiMi/Phyllis/Tex question…

Mimi despised the relationship between Tex and Phyllis. It seemed like a real hatred and jealousy from my point of view. Phyllis lived with her mentally disabled husband. Mimi resented the attention Tex gave to Phyllis. Tex slept in an enclosed porch that was connected to the rear house (converted garage possibly) and Phyllis and her husband lived in the front house. Mimi’s house in the back was cutely decorated and very comfortable. She raised finches in a large cage and had a wonderful HiFi stereo system and had lot’s of classical music, mostly Ballets on cassette tapes. She loved “Tchaikovsky” and one of her favorite Ballets was “Swan Lake”.

Have you ever seen or heard of MiMi’s “poison pen letters” (Audrey’s terminology)?

Were you privy to her hand-written story, titled “Say it with Music”?

Did you ever witness, or hear about, MiMi voicing (or writing) strong thoughts regarding the following?:

Catholics and or The Pope

The Kennedys

8/14/19: Mimi hated Catholics and the Kennedys because they were Catholic. Mimi attended “Church of The Nazarene” when she lived in that little back house in Ventura. 

Marxism

True Christianity, Being born again, The Holy Spirit

Spiritual warfare

Toilet training

Punishment

Psychology

Drug addiction

Voting, Civic duty

Other?