Billy

I found a newspaper article that Mom had cut out of the newspaper about a memorial service that was held for parents who had lost a baby through miscarriage, stillborn or died in the first months of life.  Across the top of the page, mom wrote the following:

 

"Our Billy - born Sept. 17, 1951 - Forest Lake Clinic Hospital - Dr. Ruggles.  Bert buried him in Calgary Cemetery by a fence.  He looked like Steve.  He had a dimple in his chin.  I was about 6 months pregnant.  Dr. Ruggles said the unusually long cord was wound around his leg - he would have a deformed leg.  A sweet baby." 

 

I don't recall mom ever talking to me about Billy.  All I knew was that I was in second grade and dad had to get me ready for my school picture.  He either took me to the beauty shop to get a permanent or I had just received a permanent.  Anyway, he combed my hair and, of course, it looked terrible.  All mom ever told me was that he was a stillborn.

 

I wonder if dad received permission to bury Billy?  What was his middle name?  Did he get baptized in the hospital like I did (called "conditional baptism" - until a priest could be found)?

 

                                                                        Mary Vogel McGraw