2001 McCorry Family Christmas Letter

Christmas 2001
Dear All,

During this time of national challenge and terrible tragedy, we appreciate the affirmation that life is beautiful and goes on. It is in that spirit that I begin by telling you of the first birth of a great-grandchild of the McCorry USA family. Abigail Jane Zbinden was born Nov. 29 in Milwaukee to Jane (Jonas) and Matthew Zbinden, who were married in 2000. Jane is the daughter of Peter Jonas and grandchild of Bud and Teresa, which makes Peter a grandfather and Bud and Teresa great-grandparents. Abigail, weighing in at 9 lbs., 9 oz., including a lot of hair, is doing fine, as is her mother. Congratulations and best wishes to all.
The Jonases also welcomed a new business into the world this year when Sarah (Jonas) Przybylowski (spell-check stops here every time) and her business partner in April opened Café Lulu, an eatery in Bay View. It is a funky little diner in a former George Webb’s restaurant and has already received a write-up in Milwaukee Magazine. Famous celebrities spotted there include Srs. A & B, Aunt Betty Schield and Tricia Freer (Mullins). Jonas Shaner (Jane’s youngest son) moved from Minnesota to California in June to continue his studies there to become a chiropractor.
Bill Mullins moved from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area in March to be closer to his other California siblings and to take a job with an optical networking company. Unfortunately, when business stalled after Sept. 11, he was let go and is job hunting. He, Robert, Tricia, Ken, Erin (their daughter) and Maureen (Kathy’s daughter) visited Milwaukee in August to attend IrishFest and the Dwyer Family Pig Roast. It was dedicated to John (“Moon”), who died Oct. 17, 2000, and was the chief pig roaster. Joe Mullins assumed John’s duties ably. Joe lives with sister-in-law Linda (Dwyer) and nephew Casey, who now attends the same elementary school that the Jonases attended at Immaculate Conception parish. Brother-in-law Bill Van Pelt lost his father in November. Bill and I drove to San Diego to join Bill Van Pelt, wife Mary Mullins and their daughter Lizzie for the service for Wally Van Pelt, 84. Bill, Mary and Lizzie spent seven summer weeks in Europe as Bill taught at a school in Germany. Betty traveled to New York City in November to defy the terrorists, though she chose train travel over flying.
Members of the Schield family took a bike trip in Italy this summer. Pat (Schield) Werth, her daughter Megan, Wendy (Schield) Smail, Bobbie Schield (Dan’s wife) and her daughter Miranda, were joined by Jane Jonas (Teresa’s daughter) on the tour. Megan met a young man in Paris and stayed there. She is studying French and planning to apply to graduate school. Jim Schield is recovering from hip replacement surgery Dec. 11, already walking around a bit within a few days. Dan is scheduled for surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome Dec. 31. Aunt Betty says she is giving her blue rosary beads a workout. We pray for a speedy recovery for both men. Pat and husband Jay hosted a cookout at their Santa Rosa home for the California Mullinses (Kathy, Bill, Robert, Tricia) Labor Day weekend.
The McCorry family had a reunion this summer in Woodbridge, Ill., home of Maureen (McCorry) and David Drabik. Brian and his family were unable to attend, however. Brian’s son Patrick was in France for a few weeks this summer chaperoning a group of high school students.
Sr. Mary Benedicta reports from Chicago that Sr. Mary Aquinice celebrates 60 years with the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 2002, and she anniversary #66. They attended a high school orchestra competition in Evanston, Ill., this year to see Dan McCorry’s sons Devin and Gavin perform. Their school won top honors in the competition. From Ireland comes news that Margaret McDonald (David's wife), who hosted many McCorrys when they visited Newry, died this year shortly after her 90th birthday.
I hope all of you have a great Christmas and a happy 2002. If you want inspiration for the season, listen to the outgoing message on Aunt Mary Ann McCorry’s answering machine: “It’s not the things you do at Christmas that count, it’s the Christmas things you do all year long.”


Love,


Robert Mullins