Thucydides - From Two Families to One

The State of Maryland beginning in the late 20^th century and continuing through the 21^st century

Jennifer, a daughter and a sister, wrote the history of her family, beginning at the time when her parents were young children and continuing to the story

of their life together. She believed it would be an interesting story, and her beliefs were correct. Jennifer’s parents, Mary Anne and Philip Neil, come from two families who lived in Baltimore decades earlier. Philip has four sisters, and Mary Anne has two sisters and one brother, and they came together to be one family.

Mary Anne was born on July 9, 1962 at 6:10 AM. Mary Anne was born in Mercy Hospital, located in Baltimore City, Maryland. Once located in a former schoolhouse, Merc

y Hospital is flourishing as one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation. Both of her parents lived and still live in Maryland. Mary Frances, the mother of Mary Anne, gave birth to her beloved daughter at the age of 25. Mary Anne’s father was 24 years old when his daughter was born (see appendix for certificate of birth).

Philip was raised by his parents Mary Patricia and Neil Carl. On April 30, 1962 at 7:42 AM, Philip was born. His father was the age of 33 when Philip was born, and his mother was the age of 28. Philip was the youngest child of five. He followed four sisters – Deborah, Susan, Cheryl, and Kathryn (see appendix for certificate of birth).

Philip grew older and became a lifeguard at Gardenville Swim Club, where Mary Anne belonged, thus the two met. Mary Anne and Philip met at the age of 16. Eight years later, they were engaged and then wed at the age of 24. The marriage was held at St. Anthony of

Padua, which was founded in 1884 as a mission of Saint Joseph Church. In its earliest days, St. Anthony ministered to German farmers. The farmers had settled in the area of Baltimore that is now known as Gardenville. St. Anthony of Padua Church is now consisted of two church buildings, a school, a rectory, and a convent.

The date of the wedding of Mary Anne Hartman and Philip Neil Kreis was August 10, 1986 at three o’clock. Mary Anne wore a beautiful floor-length white wedding gown with a transparent veil. Lace covered the top of her dress, her lower back, and her arms. Mary Anne’s bouquet was made of white tiger lilies and green ferns. Mary Anne’s bridesmaids, her sisters Jane and Christine and best friend Judy, wore long light blue dresses and matching shoes. In their hands were pink and red flowers. The flower girls, Mary Anne’s nieces, were dressed in matching dresses similar to that of the bride. (see appendix

for photographs of the wedding and wedding party)

The wedding reception took place at the Overlea. Tables were lined with white lace table cloths. Mary Anne and Phil’s first dance was to “Lady” by Kenny Rogers. The wedding cake was four levels high and decorated with a bride and groom statue at the top. At the end of the night Mary Anne changed into a blue floral print dress. She and her new husband drove away in a red car, heading to the airport for their honeymoon in Bermuda.