Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 03, 2003

"Caed Mile Failte" (a hundred thousand welcomes) were extended to the descendants of Patrick and Katie WARD CARR as they gathered at the Mount Ayr home of Tom and Sharon CARR on June 14, 2003. The event was planned and coordinated by Tom and Sharon, Jane CONWAY, Martha HOVE and Jackie RUPE.

Patrick was born in Ireland as were Katie's parents. Patrick and Katie lived in Beaconsfield for many years and after his death the family moved to Maloy. They were the parents of 10 children. The only descendants remaining in Ringgold county is their grandson, Tom CARR.

Attending the reunion from the family of Gene and Sally CARR were Jane CONWAY of Knoxville; Kelley, Sullivan and Charlotte CONWAY of Madison, WI; Kristi, Kensey and Abby CADWELL of Waverly; and David, Lyn and Grace CONWAY of Mound, MN. Also present were John and Marilyn BESH of Livingston, AL; Anne and Elizabeth DAVIS of Memphis, TN and Karen LORENCE of Edina, MN.

From Jimmy and Marie CARR LAUGHLIN'S family were Gary and Mem LAUGHLIN of Shenandoah; Scott, Johnand Meighan LAUGHLIN of Imogene; and Joe LAUGHLIN of Lincoln, NE.

Kathleen, Rolfe, Kelly and Erin TAYLOR of Knoxville attended from the family of Jim and Margaret CARR HALEY.

From the family of Maurice and Maxine CARR were Jon, Martha and Mike HOVE of Menomonie, WI; Tom and Sharon CARR of Mount Ayr; Jackie, Jason, Gabriel and Meredith RUPE of Lafayette, CO; Jeff CARR and Jen THOMPSON of Cambridge, MA; and Josh HALEY of Mount Ayr.

Phyllis STEELE attended from the Pat and Gladys CARR branch. Gladys was especially missed as she had planned to come to the reunion before her recent death.

From Ed and Marian CARR'S family were Marian CARR HUGHES of Lenox; Pat and Sue CARR of Spencer; Mike, Nancy CLAIRMONT, Alex, Samantha and Adrienne CARR of Chanhassen, MN; and Joe, Vicki, Kate and Matthew CARR of Fairfield. Marian is the only living member of her generation and holds a special place in the hearts of all the family.

Special occasions celebrated were the birthdays of Matthew and Adrienne (AJ) CARR and the wedding anniversary of Tom and Sharon CARR. Jason RUPE brewed a commemorative limited edition Irish red beer for the event. The label incorporated the CARR family crest and the Gaelic motto of "Croi Follain Agus Gob Fliuch" (a healthy heart and a wet mouth). Guests received green souvenir doilies crocheted by Berneeta AUSTIN. A wonderful afternoon was spent meeting new family members, catching up on family news and celebrating the Irish heritage of the CARR family.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012