What People Are Saying about The Duchess of Bay State

I am so thankful for the wonderful comments regarding the article about my Irish grandmother that was published in the Senior Beacon March issue. The feedback I’ve received has been astonishing!  Of course, my family members loved the piece – but that was expected. However, the responses in the form of e-mails, phone calls and comments on AuthorsDen (where I posted info about the front page Senior Beacon article) came not just from Pueblo, Colorado.  I also heard from readers in San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, Lubbock (Texas), Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Alabama, Australia, Canada and Wales!

Below are the reactions received so far.

I absolutely love this story. Strong women like your grandmother are huge role models for women all over the world. Thank you for sharing your story. I envision it being made into a musical film with your grandmother's radiant black hair being one of the highlights of the movie. Her determination will remain with me forever and l will use it when I need extra strength! --- Judy Joy Jones

What a wonderful story! Even better because it's true. It's obvious that you get some of your drive from your grandmother. I am amazed with what she accomplished. Your story proves how immigration made our country great and continues to make our country greater. --- Ronald Hull

Your Grandma is a shining example of female empowerment --- Eva Pasco

What a story! And what a woman! I’m amazed. It was like watching a great documentary. --- Vera Ulea

Oh my goodness what a wonderful story! So fun and what a great time you had with her. Sounds like another book or movie! --- Diana Saenger

I   L.O.V.E.D. the article on your Grandmother. Wow! What a legacy you're living up to. --- Lola Griesan

I love these trips down memory lane. Thank you for sharing. It's a wonderful true story. --- Richard Jack Smith

Wonder if Colorado has something in the water that produces strong women, such as Molly Brown and your kin. What great memories and role model you had living with the "Duchess of Bay State." I think her story deserves a movie. --- Shirley Cannon

Thank you for this wonderful story!  It's been quite a day-brightener as I picture your colorful, resourceful and very successful Grandma Donahue.  This would make an entertaining movie.  And if made into a TV series, it would run for several seasons. --- Marge Oldfield

What a totally charming and delightful piece. She certainly sounded a lot like Molly Brown. Unsinkable. You write so vividly and with a lovely touch of humour. I loved it. --- Peter Keogh

Your article is delightful.  Imagine the intestinal fortitude to stow away at age 14 and get herself over here!  And then to be smart enough to go into business after her husband was killed. One very smart lady. --- Shirley Bening

Great article. I cannot fathom how either of you maintained composure during an

armed robbery attempt. --- Geoff Roberts

Delightful! Thanks for sharing. --- Nell Minow

Wow. What a fascinating story! It's quite impressive to read about how your grandma maintained her businesses, managed her family affairs, and was feared and respected. You gave just enough detail here to whet a filmmaker's appetite for a really good story with potential for a film adaptation. --- Misha Zubarev

 What an amazing woman your grandmother was! This story will stay with me. I love how strong she was. An inspiration! --- Debra Lord Cooke

It is a great read. I applauded at the end! A book-length story is just crying out about your grandmother. --- Chris Mansel 

What a Dame! I love your grandmother. Who do you know in Hollywood that could make her life story a movie? --- Grace Allison

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My Irish Grandmother

Josephine Bridget Donahue was a force of nature. She stowed away on a ship sailing from Ireland to America when she was only fourteen years old. She ended up in Pueblo after marrying a young man from Scotland who was hired as the first crane operator for the CF&I. When her husband was killed in a work-related accident, Grandma Donahue was left with four young children to raise on her own. She used the benefits from the steel mill to establish successful businesses on Bay State Avenue and became known as “The Duchess of Bay State.” 

Grandma's courage and tenacity have been an inspiration to me, so I wrote an article hoping it would inspire others who face obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. I am so happy that my article was published by the Colorado SENIOR BEACON in this month's issue. Many thanks to Ron Phillips and Christine Casillas for the beautiful presentation -- on the front page! 

My Irish Grandmother

Each year as St. Patrick’s Day draws near, memories of my courageous Irish grandmother come flooding back to me. When she was only 14 years old, she stowed away on a boat (all by herself) to come to America from Ireland. Later, as a young mother, she was left with four children to raise when her husband died after being run over by a crane at the CF&I steelworks. 

Grandma used the company’s settlement to establish a number of businesses on Bay State Avenue, a street adjacent to the mill where her husband suffered that fatal accident. Surviving Prohibition and the Great Depression, Josephine Bridget Donahue became known as the “Duchess of Bay State.” No one messed with her. Maybe it was that charming brogue – but, more likely, her brave approach to dealing with the problems at hand that kept enemies at bay and friends so close.      

I’m very happy Grandma never lost that Irish brogue. It was always such a treat listening to her interactions with employees, customers and family members. I have to add that she made the best scones in the history of the world! Wish I had one of those delicious scones right now.

Although Grandma Donahue passed away many, many years ago, I still miss her every day.     

Pluck of the Irish

Because of my Irish roots, I know something about the stubborn bravery of Irish women. When she was only 14 years old, my grandmother stowed away on a boat (all by herself) to come to America from Ireland. Later, as a young mother, she was left with four children to raise when her husband died after being run over by a crane in a steel mill. She used the company's settlement to establish a number of businesses on Bay State Avenue, a street adjacent to the mill. Surviving Prohibition and the Great Depression, Josephine Bridget Donahue became known as the "Duchess of Bay State." No one messed with her. Maybe it was that charming brogue -- but, more likely, her relentless approach to the task at hand kept enemies at bay.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!