Here’s another piece of fashion worn by my late grandma, Margie Paley. Grandma was the best. She was warm and cuddly (to me anyway). She loved sushi, especially with lots of wasabi. She never pierced her ears. She said she was too scared.
In 1981, my grandfather Bert purchased the Everett Mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It’s an impressive property that I’m proud has been owned and managed by our family for 40 years. When my grandpa got sick with a brain tumor and then passed away in 2008, my aunt took over. A lot has happened there since. Ben Affleck filmed a movie there. Elizabeth Warren announced her candidacy there. And I found a lot of cool old stuff there, including this dress, which I believe is custom made. Grandma might have been even shorter than me (I’m 5”2) and she had smaller feet also. I guess long dresses were trendy at the time, but personally, long dresses are usually too long. Grandma wore it to my aunt Nancy’s wedding. Nancy was 20 and grandma was 41 I think.
My family is selling the mill this month and I’m here in Boston for the day to see it one last time and take some mementos. I will report back if I find anything good. Please also enjoy this picture of my grandmother wearing said dress and kissing her dear friend, “uncle“ sonny, while my grandpa stands next to Gloria, sonny‘s wife! Such a funny picture. And my great grandfather Harry with a young rabbi Michael paley.
Comments