This rosary was made from the dried rose petals that adorned the casket of my maternal grandmother, Claire Pawlowski Halvangis (1916-1980). It was subsequently used by my older brother when he made his First Holy Communion.

The story my mother tells is that these rosaries were made by the nuns at Vista Maria, a home from troubled girls run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Located in Dearborn Heights, MI (near Detroit) Vista Maria is still in operation today.

My grandmother died when I was 4. Of the very few memories I have of her, two vividly stand out:

1. She could blow rings with her cigarette smoke. I thought she was magic.

2. She once “pried” open the closing elevator doors at Hudson’s so we could get in. To my four year old mind she had superhuman strength. Only later did I learn that elevators were designed with safety features that allowed for opening with a simple touch. 

All little boys should have a grandmother who is magic and strong.

My grandmother has a special place in the history of The Psychogenealogist as well. She was the subject of my very first blog post in 2016, which you can read here:

My Grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, and The Election of 1916

Thanks for taking a look at the Family History Artifact of the Day Challenge! Every day in May I will be posting a family artifact or heirloom. I hope you’ll join!

To participate or see what other’s are posting consider joining the private Friends of the Psychogenealogist Facebook Group.

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