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My grandmother, Blanche Unis Hewlett Badger, was born on June 30, 1904. She had many brothers and sisters. Her father was not a nice man. There were few hugs or expression of love in her family and He certainly did not believe in sending his girls to school after the 8th grade. Her father John A. Hewlett was a drinker, and was very active in the KKK. They lived in N.Y.C. where he joined the KKK in marches. Apparently he was very active. When Blanche met Charles Badger, she was just 15 years old. Her father did not approve of him because he was catholic. Just before she turned 17, Charles and Blanche married. About 2 years after they married, My aunt Muriel was born. During this time, John would not even acknowledge the marraige and when Muriel came along, he also ignored her. They all lived under the same roof for a time. Finally when Muriel was about 4 years old, one day she went to him and just climbed up in his lap and he finally spoke to her. It was not easy for my grandparents. Eventually they had 2 more children, one was my mother Jacqueline. My grandfather Charles was in WWI. He delivered Bordens milk to the neighboring homes. That was what he did until he died in 1959, at the age of 59. I was very attached to my grandfather. My grandparents raised me for the first 4 + years of my life. Then my mother and new father came to take me with them. My grandmother meant everything to me. She was a fabulous cook. She worked at soda shoppes, Mattel Toy co, the church where she cooked for priests. During WWII Mattel became a factory making, I believe, weapons. She used to tell me about the depression, and why she did not trust the banks. However, she still taught me how to open an account and how to save money. She and my mother would talk about the black outs during the war. My mother had ear surgery on the kitchen table during that time as well.
My grand mother was much like her mother, I am told. I did have my ggrandmother till I was 7 yrs. I remember her as being very tall and thin. That she was. She was kind and loving. There was not a prejudice bone in her body. They say she was the only one who cried when ggrandfather John died. I am so glad for my grandmother Blanche, she richly blessed my life. I have a great deal of respect for my elders because of her. She died in January of 1987. I miss her to this day. I am grateful that each of my children got to know her for a time.

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