Mary K. Bowes Astephen

I was 24 years old when I came through Pier 21 in May, 1946. There is a picture of this sailing in the book "Pier 21: The Gateway That Changed Canada" by Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic and J.P. Le Blanc. My husband, Stephen Astephen, was waiting for our four year old son, Francis, and me at the dock. We traveled that evening (after being welcomed at the Pier by the Red Cross and other organizations) as far as Truro by car -- next day up through New Glasgow, Antigonish, and the ferry crossing at Canso, along the Bras D'Or Lakes from St. Peters to Sydney -- beautiful scenery and the blue water! We then went on to Sydney Harbour -- the "Gateway to Newfoundland".

I still watch the Marine Atlantic Ferries sailing from my window. We had a wonderful welcome by my husband's parents and family and have lived in this home ever since. We brought up a large family of 12 -- 6 of whom are married with children in the area. My husband was involved in local government, the Harbour Board and small boat racing and sailing. We have had a full and enjoyable life, with family and friends across Canada. Our eldest son is settled in Massachussetts. We have 32 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. It is a great consolation to have a large family since losing my husband to cancer almost 6 years ago. Canada has certainly been good to my family and me.

War Brides in our area have been friends since we arrived-- knowing each other's families and children. We had a Cape Breton reunion in 1976 with great help from the Royal Canadian Legion. Then the Saskatchewan War Brides came to visit Pier 21 in 1985 and were joined by the Nova Scotia War Brides.