This is the first of two articles my sister Debbie recently rediscovered that were written to my children by my mother in the late 80s. Both articles were featured in the West End Word.
My 93-year-old mother, Jean Heiss Donegan and her brother, the late Gordon Heiss, were the children of Marie and Charles Heiss. My grandfather left his home in Germany at age 13 and worked in hotels around Europe before emigrating to Canada, where he worked for a Statler Hotel. He was later sent to manage the Statler Hotel in downtown St. Louis, which became part of what is now the Marriott St. Louis Grand. Eventually he built his own hotels, The Mayfair at 8th and St. Charles, and The Lennox, at 8th and Washington.
P.S. – This morning, my mother recalled that she broke her arm (see caption above) falling into a pigsty in Estes Park, CO.
Next up: My mother’s recollections of City House.
Would Charlie August Heiss, happen to be your great grandpa? I have a bible I found in a box of books from an auction. It was a Christmas present from Marie Heiss to Charley August Heiss 1912.
My heavens yes! How amazing! How can I get that from you. His daughter, my mother, is 95 and would LOVE to have that. Thank you so much for contacting me.
My email address is [email protected]
Oh my goodness, just reading this article again and sharing it with Ada. I love that photo of her and Gordon. Did the man ever get that Bible to you??!! What a wild connection and beautiful thing. xo
Nicki – I love this! I can completely imagine all that your mother describes. It makes me more determined to clearly remember what is here now.