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Nelda Martha Vinnedge O’Neill

Home...BiographiesNelda Martha Vinnedge O’Neill

Nelda Martha Vinnedge O'Neill
(Mrs. Clarence J. O'Neill)

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    1939 LHS junior class
This February 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:

    Nelda Vinnedge Joins Army Nurse Corps

    Miss Nelda M. Vinnedge, R.N., has resigned her position as nurse in the Methodist hospital, Gary, and will be inducted into the army on Mar. 1st.
    She is spending this week at her home in Creston while awaiting the call to go to Fort Benjamin Harrison.
    On Friday of last week she was given a farewell party by nurses at the hospital, who also presented her with a lovely gift.
This March 2, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:

    MISS NELDA VINNEDGE HONOR-GUEST AT PARTY

    On Saturday night, Feb. 26, Miss Nelda Vinnedge was pleasantly surprised with a party in her honor at the home of Mrs. Floyd Vinnedge. The evening was spent in planying bunco with prizes going to the honor-guest, Mrs Clara Hedrick and Jeannie Vinnedge.
    A delicious lunch of salad, sandwiches, cake, olives and coffee, was served at an attractive table, with a doll dressed as a nurse for the centerpiece. The hostess, Mrs. Vinnedge, had favors of American flags and nut cups in the shape of little traveling bags at each place.
    Attending were Mrs. Clara Hedrick, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Prage and Marilyn, of Hobart, Mrs. Donald Patton, Mrs. Terrence Davitt, Ilabel Vinnedge of Gary, Mrs. Herbert Rich of Crown Point, Mrs. Beach Kuns of Hammond, Fay Vinnedge of Chicago, Mrs. Carl Miller and Allen of Lowell, Ethel and Jeannie Vinnedge, Nancy and Bobby and Nelda Vinnedge.
    A cash gift was presented to Miss Nelda.
    The following day, Sunday, Feb. 27, Miss Vinnedge, who leaves Mar. 1st for the army, was given a farewell dinner at the Obadiah Vinnedge home in Creston.
    Present were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Prage and Marilyn of Hobart, Fay Vinnedge of Chicago, Mrs. Beach Kuns of Hammond, Mrs. Herbert Rich of Crown Point, Ilabel Vinnedge of Gary, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Vinnedge, Bobby and Nancy, Robert Phillips, O.G. Vinnedge, Ethel, Jeannie, and Nelda Vinnedge.
    Other guests in the afternoon were Mrs. Alice Taylor, Mrs. Carl Miller and children, of Lowell, Calvin Pixley and daughter, Evelyn, of Chicago.
The following June 8, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:

    MARRIAGE OF LIEUT. NELDA VINNEDGE ANNOUNCED

    Obadiah G. Vinnedge of Creston, announces the marriage of his granddaughter, Lieut. Nelda Martha Vinnedge, A.N.C., to Cpl. Clarence O'Neil of Cleveland, Ohio, on June 3rd, 1944 at Cleveland.

    Cpl. O'Neil has recently returned from overseas service at Guadalcanal. Mrs. O'Neil has orders to be ready to go overseas in ten days.

    Mrs. O'Neil is a daughter of W. Fay Vinnedge of Chicago, but has lived with her grandparents since she was a small child. She is a graduate of Lowell high school and a graduate nurse from Gary Methodist hospital.

    The newly-weds are hoping for a leave this week-end so they can come back to Creston before the bride is called overseas.

The following July 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 5, column 3:
    Ethel A. Vinnedge, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd T. Vinnedge and daughter, Nancy, drove to Camp Ellis, Ill., on Wednesday of last week to bid farewell to their niece, Lt. Nelda (Vinnedge) O'Neill, who left with the 122nd Medical Det. for overseas duty on Friday. Her husband, Corp. Clarence O'Neill, returned home with them for a few days stay prior to his return to camp. Anyone wishing Lt. O'Neill's address may be obtained at this office.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the July 19, 1945, issue (page 8, columns 3-4):
    Word received from Lt. Nelda Vinnedge O'Neill, A.N.C., who has been stationed at a hospital in England for the past year, says that her hospital unit was ready to be shipped back to the States on the liner Queen Elizabeth, a few weeks ago, when orders came for all married nurses to go to 49th station hospital to remain until all hospital cases are returned. Nelda was very disappointed as she has been very homesick and wants to get back where she can enjoy a glass of cold milk and some fresh eggs. Her husband, Cpl. C.J. O'Neill, is stationed at Camp Atterbury. Recently Nelda had the thrill of an air trip to Ireland and later to a resort in northern England.
This August 30, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 4:
    Lt. Nelda Vinnedge O'Neill, A.N.C., returned from England to the States on the Queen Mary liner last Tuesday. She arrived at the home of her grandfather, Obadiah Vinnedge, Saturday, where her husband Cpl. Clarence O'Neill, joined her from Camp Atterbury, on Sunday. Nelda has been in the army for a year and a half and has been overseas for 13 months, as a nurse in the 122nd medical unit.
    Sunday found the O.G. Vinnedge family together once more to enjoy a big chicken dinner in honor of the return of Lt. Nelda O'Neill. Present were: Cpl. and Mrs. Herbert Rich, Lt. and Cpl. C.J. O'Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Vinnedge, Nancy and Bobby, Fay Vinnedge, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Prage, Marilynn and Jimmie, and Obadiah Vinnedge. The O'Neills and Cpl. and Mrs. Rich and Miss Ilabel remained for a week's visit with their grandfather.
Last updated on March 25, 2009.

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