Happy Birthday Mom!

Mary Elaine McMahon was born 83 years ago today.  Of course, she always went by Elaine until later in life.  She didn’t even know her real first name was Mary until she got her first job when she was 16. 

When she was 20 she got a new last name when Orion Henry Phillips, a young seaman with the U.S. Navy, made her his bride.  After that long turbulent marriage ended, she remained single for most of her adult life.  Then in her late sixties she became Mary Soper when she married the octagenarian Theron Soper. 

After Theron died she met Ernie Best.  They were soon married.  She became Mary Best. 

Mom has had many names over the years.  Mary, Elaine, Phillips, Soper, Best. But I imagine she liked “Mom” or “Granny” best.  Now she has “a new name written down in glory.”  I expect that when we get there, we will recognize her as the one dancing in the roller skates.