At the Altar

O'Dea-Maddigan 

The wedding of my mother's youngest brother, Ronald Patrick O'Dea, known as Pat, was reported in the Southern Cross newspaper in 1944. Unfortunately, I do not have a wedding photo of this couple.

Pat and Thelma had announced their engagement in June of 1943.

My mother must have travelled from Tarlee to Port Lincoln for this wedding as my eldest sister Monica Horgan is mentioned as hanging a horseshoe over the bride's arm as she left the church.

The Wedding

ON Saturday, March 25, at St. Mary's, Port Adelaide, the marriage of Thelma Ellen, younger daughter of L. G. and the late James Maddigan, of.Canning Street, Yatala, to Patrick, youngest son of Mrs. G. E. and the late Patrick O'Dea, of Port Lincoln, was celebrated with Nuptial Mass by the V. Rev. Prior Meehan, assisted by Fr. McLean.

The charming bride entered the church on the arm of her brother, Denis, to the strains of the Wedding March, wearing a gown of magnolia satin and chantilly lace, which merged from the centre-back into a flowing train. The long embroidered silk-net veil was held in place by a top-knot of frangipanni. Her sheaf was of gladioli, pale pink carnations and rose buds. She was attended by her sister Vera, frocked in a blue dinner gown with silver-beaded bodice with accessories en suite, and wearing a beige picture hat and carrying a sheaf of pink gladioli. The mothers of the bride and bridegroom looked very smart in black, with autumn oned shoulder sprays; As the bride left the church, a horseshoe was hung over her arm by little Monica Horgan. The organ was played by Miss Vera Dowd, and solos were rendered by Miss Linda Wald and Mr. Mick O'Dea, brother of the bridegroom.

The bride was the past president of the Alberton J.C.W.L. and Children of Mary. The bridegroom has been an active executive member of the C.Y.M.S. for many years. At the reception, well-wishers from the two societies and relatives and friends from Port Lincoln, Peterborough, Linwood, Tailem Bend, Pinnaroo and Negalla (Vic.), gathered in a happy convivial atmosphere.

As a travelling frock the bride chose a blue french-morocain frock with pintucked bodice, black tailored coat, and black accessories. Her small chic hat perfected the smartness of. her ensemble. The happy couple are spending their honeymoon at Murray Bridge.

1944 'At the Altar O'Dea—Maddigan', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 31 March, p. 9. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167780909

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin