Living history
Posted on September 18, 2024, by Loretto Community
In this 1961 photograph, taken in the museum at Loretto Motherhouse, Antonina Ryan SL shows an old spinning wheel to Marian Wheatley Medley, daughter of Carl Wheatley, Loretto’s farm manager. Marian’s family lived in Clare House on the Motherhouse grounds for many years. Sister Antonina, born in Denver and daughter of Irish parents, entered Loretto in 1900 at the age of 17 and obtained a master’s from Denver University. She taught in schools in Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri and New Mexico before moving to the Motherhouse in 1958. She died in 1975 and is buried in the Motherhouse cemetery.
In late July, 63 years after Marian was photographed with Sister Antonina and the spinning wheel, Heritage Center staff enjoyed staging a recreation of the 1961 photo. Marian traveled to Loretto Motherhouse where she was photographed with Johanna Brian SL.
To read all the articles in the Fall 2024 issue of Loretto Magazine, click here.
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