I was born in James Walker Memorial Hospital in Wilmington on October 17,1939. So you don’t have to count on your fingers: I am 82 years old.
My home on Wrightsville Sound was directly across the street from what is now Dockside Restaurant but then was the Wrightsville Gulf Terminal. I was the youngest of four, so I spent much of my younger days entertaining myself. One of my favorite things to do was to walk around to the gatehouse at Airlie, play in the sand and watch Minnie Evans, the Airlie gate keeper paint. She would sell her paintings for fifty cents or a dollar or two depending on the size of the canvas. Now they sell for $15,000 to $20,000. I attended St Andrews-on-the- Sound with my father. My mother, having been raised Baptist, chose not to accompany us.
I graduated from New Hanover High School in 1958. Duke Hospital’s School of Radiological Technology accepted me, and after finishing my training and marrying I continued a life of a lot of moves with my husband. During that time, I had my three children Debbie, Lee and Curt. My three granddaughters were also born during this time. Unfortunately, my marriage ended after 30 years and eventually after retiring due to health reasons I returned to Wilmington.
I attended St. Andrews until I moved into town from Porters Neck. I attended St. James, chosen only because I remembered having my piano recitals in the “Great Hall.” I decided to attend St. Paul’s one Sunday on a whim, and I have never looked back.
It has been a great blessing in my life both the church and the people. My life in the church has been filled with doing flowers for the altar on Sunday, decorating at Christmas and Easter and other special events. I serve as a lector and chalice bearer. The Parish Life Committee has given me many opportunities to serve. Life is good, thank you St. Paul’s.
—Marie Ashworth