Hi Perry, Delighted to hear from you. Where abouts were the St Thomas buildings? Was it originally a part of the current primary school before the 1950s? Mollie died Dec 1971 and her funeral notice (kindly sourced and sent to me by a woman working in one of Birmingham's cemeteries, after I had searched through the records of every public cemetery in Birmingham!) says she was interred at the Abbey. I had to laugh at your comment that she had retired and then started teaching again. It was clearly her life and it seems she was there a long time, having left Ireland quite young. You have a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing with me. It means a great deal to me as I have been trying to piece her story together for 20 years.
Your photo of a 'young gel' is not how I remember Miss Hyland. I first met as an eleven year old and she appeared to me to be ancient!View attachment 108711 This may be a middle-aged Mollie, or at least one of her sisters. Does she look familiar?
Hi Perry, Thank you so much for these details. I walked up and down the cemetary in 2009 when I visited, and it is quite possible I missed any stone. Given her family were in Cork I have since assumed she didn't get a headstone. Thanks so much for having a look for it. I'd love to see a photo of the spot. If I get back to that part of the UK I will be able to try again. I have another possible photo of Mollie but the woman is a very young woman so would be even less recognisable to you, if it's her. Thanks also for the explanation of the school buildings. You have absolutely made my day. Thank you.Hello Frances
Your query has opened up for me a solution to a query that has bothered me for years, but first details that I have discovered about Miss Hyland. I contacted the manager of the Abbey cemetery and she provided me with the following information.
Miss Mary Teresa Hyland aged 84 was interred at The Abbey Cemetery on the December 7th 1971 in grave A-130B. I shall be visiting the grave sometime next week and if there is a head stone, I shall send you a photo. All this has led to an answer to a query that I have had for many years. The resting place of my form teacher, Mary Margaret Rose. Apparently she too was laid to rest at the Abbey and the manager will have details for me next week.
The secondary school was demolished many years ago but the primary school continues to thrive. There are now houses where the secondary school stood.
Thanks Lynhi NZfrances i have turned the photo round for you and re posted it
lyn
Thanks for the suggestion.just a thought...as the primary school still exists it maybe worthwhile contacting them to ask where their school archives are kept as there very well could be class photos with teachers that were taken that may include mollie on them
lyn
Hi Perry, I am not able to see these. It is so tantalising! Can you see them at your end?I hope this works, if it does, I will send info on each picture. Perry
I was there between 1950 to 1954 and remember well Mr F P Burns, the best headmaster any school could have, Mr Sims (woodworking) Mr McCarthy, A very handsome teacher and a bit of a hero to the girls. Never knew about a Mrs McCarthy, an interesting story there perhaps. All the other teachers mentioned are new to me. There seems to be a bit of a paucity on pupils from the 1950s.Hi, I attended from 1961 - 1965 I remember the headmaster,being a Mr Doughty other teachers I remember ,not in order of preference Mr Morgan ,Mrs Wheeler ,Mr Moore ,Mr Harkin ,Mr Burns ,Mr Corrigan, Mr Sims, Mr and Mrs McCarthy . After two years the school changed from a mixed sex school , to an all boys school, there where two streams which I went in and out of, whilst I was there ,hope to come across a class photo from my time there.