Dottie's parents, Alma Grace Carey Stearns and Eric Stearns, met in in Washington, DC, in August 1919. Alma had traveled from her childhood home in Harford, PA, to work in the federal government after graduating from high school in 1918. She was living with the aunt and uncle of her good friend Genevieve (from Harford) while the two young women worked and saved their money in hopes of one day going to college.
Alma tells the story of how she and Eric met in this memoir written in 1970. She wrote these reflections on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Alma and Eric were married on September 8, 1920, at Alma's family home in Harford Pennsylvania. (See the invitation to their wedding reception.)
Alma and Eric spent considerable time apart during the early years of their marriage due to Eric's travels associated with his work for the United States Census Bureau. During their time apart they kept in touch through letters sent via U.S. Mail, most likely because long-distance telephone calls were prohibitively expensive in those days. A archived set of letters is a treasure for succeeding generations, providing readers with a glimpse into Eric and Alma's loving relationship.
Alma and Eric raised their three children--Russell, Dottie and Barbara (see details below)--in Cheverly, MD, where the family was very involved in church and community endeavors. When Eric retired after a long career in the United States Census Bureau in 1959, they purchased a farm in Harford, PA, just up the road from the home in which Alma was raised (and where they were married). For many years "the farm" was the place that the grandchildren would visit to learn about life in an earlier era when people lived rurally and farmed the land. On the farm there were cows to feed and a garden to tend -- and several swimming holes nearby for summer recreation. It was a special time in the lives of their ten lucky grandchildren.
Alma's grandchildren recall a number of stories she used to tell, including The Magic Stew.
Alma died on February 29, 1980, at age 80, in Fort Myers, Florida. Eric died on December 30, 1984, at age 88, also in Fort Myers. They are buried in the Harding Cemetery in South Harford, Pennsylvania, alongside numerous Carey relatives including Alma's parents (George Tiffany and Libbie Phillips Carey), great-grandfather (Ziba Carey), and great-great grandparents (Samuel and Anna Pickett Carey).
Alma and Eric were married on September 8, 1920, at Alma's family home in Harford Pennsylvania. (See the invitation to their wedding reception.)
Alma and Eric spent considerable time apart during the early years of their marriage due to Eric's travels associated with his work for the United States Census Bureau. During their time apart they kept in touch through letters sent via U.S. Mail, most likely because long-distance telephone calls were prohibitively expensive in those days. A archived set of letters is a treasure for succeeding generations, providing readers with a glimpse into Eric and Alma's loving relationship.
Alma and Eric raised their three children--Russell, Dottie and Barbara (see details below)--in Cheverly, MD, where the family was very involved in church and community endeavors. When Eric retired after a long career in the United States Census Bureau in 1959, they purchased a farm in Harford, PA, just up the road from the home in which Alma was raised (and where they were married). For many years "the farm" was the place that the grandchildren would visit to learn about life in an earlier era when people lived rurally and farmed the land. On the farm there were cows to feed and a garden to tend -- and several swimming holes nearby for summer recreation. It was a special time in the lives of their ten lucky grandchildren.
Alma's grandchildren recall a number of stories she used to tell, including The Magic Stew.
Alma died on February 29, 1980, at age 80, in Fort Myers, Florida. Eric died on December 30, 1984, at age 88, also in Fort Myers. They are buried in the Harding Cemetery in South Harford, Pennsylvania, alongside numerous Carey relatives including Alma's parents (George Tiffany and Libbie Phillips Carey), great-grandfather (Ziba Carey), and great-great grandparents (Samuel and Anna Pickett Carey).
Descendants of Alma Carey and Eric Stearns
Russell Carey Stearns (b. Mar 27, 1926; d. Oct 14, 2012) Spouse: Marilyn Louise Pfaender Stearns Daughter: Bonnie Louise Stearns Wright Son: Richard Russell Stearns (b. Jul 1, 1950; d. Jul 6, 1988) Son: Gary Wayne Stearns Daughter: Wendy Stearns Cornish Dorothy June Stearns Wenzinger (b. Jul 14, 1928; d. Nov 23, 2011) Spouse: Carl Joseph Wenzinger, Jr. (b. Mar 8, 1926; d. Jan 9, 2006) Daughter: Leigh Ellen Wenzinger Walls Daughter: Karen Jeanne Wenzinger Holtz Son: Ronald Eric Wenzinger Son: Donald Evan Wenzinger Barbara Ann Stearns Walters (b. Nov 29, 1933, d. Apr 5, 2008) Spouse: Thomas Lucian Walters Son: Martin Bradley Walters Daughter: Allison Walters Ellis