We are delighted so many of you enjoyed “First Lady Friday”! We will be back with that series in our next Postcard.
Today, we wanted to delve into our wedding collection. We were inspired after our Smith Barn being named one of the top orchard wedding venues in the US by Brides.com. See link here!
In 2017, Peabody’s Mary Theo gave us a treasure trove of her family’s most important items, in loving memory of her mother, Mary “Barbara” Comeau O’Neil. The donation included her grandmother’s wedding gown, along with accompanying photographs and newspaper articles. Today, we would like to share their story with you.
Mary Helen Doyle was born June 30, 1906 to Martin and Mary (O’Brien) Doyle in Peabody. Martin Doyle’s occupation was listed as an “expressman,” or deliveryman. They lived at 205 and then, 286 Washington Street. Mary Helen had six siblings: Martin, Alice, Arthur, Raymond, Dorothy and Lillian.
Charles Augustine Comeau was born July 31, 1903 to Francis and Mary (Dee) Comeau in Peabody. They lived at 197 Washington Street and later moved to 19 Dustin Street. Francis was a carpenter. Charles had six siblings: Marie, Francis, William, Edmund, Edna and Elizabeth “Bessie.”
Mary and Charles Comeau married at St. John’s Church on October 24, 1933.
Mary Doyle Comeau, her wedding October 24,1933
An image of the same wedding dress today
Mary Helen Doyle and Charles Comeau with wedding party. Far left is best man, James Dee, cousin of groom, and next on the right is maid of honor Dorothy Doyle, bride’s sister.
Mary and Charles had one daughter, also named Mary, born November 7, 1934. She was called by her middle name, Barbara. The family lived at 301 Lynnfield Street, 21 Bartholomew Street and finally, 17 Cedar Grove Avenue. Barbara graduated from the Peabody High School Class of 1952 and was a majorette.
Christmas card with a photograph of Barbara, at 1 year, 1935
Photograph of Barbara at 2 1/2 years old. Per writing on back of photograph, “Nanny Doyle’s House 286 Washington Street, Peabody.”
Charles Comeau and his daughter, Barbara
Mary Comeau and her daughter Barbara. Both photographs take place in 1944 at 52 Johnson Avenue, Peabody.
Health Inspector Badge, Charles Comeau, circa 1945
Photograph of Charles Comeau taken at 17 Cedar Grove Avenue, Peabody, circa 1955
Photograph of Barbara and her parents, Mary and Charles Comeau for her high school graduation on June 8, 1952. Sadly, Mary Comeau died shortly after in 1953.
Wedding photograph of Barbara Comeau (bride) and her father Charles, 1963. It was evident from the family photo albums how close Barbara was with her father, and the how much she cared for him after her mother’s passing.
Wedding photograph of Barbara Comeau (bride) and her bridal party. Left to right: Jeannette O’Neil Litwin, Kathryn O’Neil Johansen and Lynda Murphy Boisclair
Wedding photograph of Barbara Comeau and Francis (“Buddy”) O’Neil, on June 16, 1963
Barbara and Buddy both attended Peabody High School. Buddy served 4 years in the Navy and was a Peabody police officer. They had three children: Shaun, Kathleen and Mary (our donor).
Thank you to Mary Theo for sharing her family’s story with us.