Grandparents Day and Marian McQuade

Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13, 2020

Ah, Labor Day – the unofficial end to the summer, a day off work, and a great excuse to gather (masked and distanced, of course) for BBQs and fun in the sun one last time before we set our sights on fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Grandparents Day… Wait, what?

Yep, Labor Day signals Grandparents Day, designated as the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. How did you not know that?! Actually, it hasn’t made the “holiday” cut for your Google, iPhone, or day timer calendars from where I’m sitting. Nonetheless, Grandparents Day is legit, and we never forget about it in our home because National Grandparents Day was FOUNDED BY MY HUSBAND’S GRANDMOTHER. I kid you not. In 1978, then President Jimmy Carter, signed a proclamation designating the first Sunday after Labor Day each year as National Grandparents Day – all because of the efforts of Marian McQuade of West Virginia.

Marian McQuade was raised to care for, visit, and honor the elderly in her community, often accompanying her own grandmother on frequent visits to older folks around town. After raising 15 children of her own, Marian became a dedicated advocate for the sick and the elderly, especially those confined to nursing homes. “She was deeply saddened, day after day, witnessing the loneliness and despair of the aging ill. They lay in bed or sat in wheelchairs, helpless [and] forgotten… Most disheartening were those victimized by Alzheimer’s. Marian’s concern led her to social action.”

Marian worked tirelessly for 35 years – serving on boards and agencies for the aging and elderly, meeting with state legislators and civic leaders, writing letters to elected officials in 50 states, and meeting with U.S. presidents – to bring attention to the forgotten senior members of society and to propose “that a day be set aside to remind people to visit oldsters.” Her efforts finally gained national attention and were immortalized in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation designating that the following year “Sunday, September 9, 1979, and the first Sunday following Labor Day in each succeeding year as National Grandparents Day.”

Marian was stricken with Alzheimer’s herself at age 77 and was forced to give up her mission. She died in 2008 at 91 years old, but her legacy lives on in her own grandchildren and all those throughout the nation.

Honor and cherish your own grandparents every day, but especially on National Grandparents Day, September 13, 2020.  And encourage others to add it to their calendars – the first Sunday after Labor Day each year – so that we may continue Marian McQuade’s mission.

Sources:

“Grandparents Day and Marian McQuade”, published by Jim Comstock 1982.

“National Grandparents Day” pamphlet, by Shirley McQuade Davis, Dona Jo McQuade Lancaster, and Margaret McQuade Salimi

A Word From a Grandson

Commemoration of the 25^th Anniversary of National Grandparents Day September 7, 2003, by Paul McQuade – Grandson of Marian McQuade

We should all know by now that Grandparents Day is NOT just a Hallmark holiday. But, that doesn’t mean that Grandparents Day began in 1978 after a proclamation by then President Jimmy Carter that such a day would be held the first Sunday after Labor Day each year.

It did not begin in 1973 when the Governor of West Virginia decreed there would be a Grandparents Day in my grandmother’s home state.

It did not begin in the 1960s when my grandmother decided to spend more of her time visiting nursing home and helping with the care of the elderly.

It did not begin in 1956 after she had her 15^th child and after doing the math realized the potential for gifts she could get from her future grandchildren if only there were such a day.

For my grandmother, I think Grandparents Day began when she was just a little girl and her grandmother, Mrs. Maude McClung Dickerson, finished her full day on the farm and would take Marian to visit with the elderly folk in the community and drop off some homemade bread and jelly. It was “just to be neighborly” her grandmother would say.

For me, Grandparents Day began at my grandparent’s farm playing around the cows and riding the tractor.

… Our grandparents deserve our honor, our thank you, and an ovation worthy of this most respected station in life. My wish is that we all realize the benefits of making every day Grandparents Day.

Paul McQuade

For my children, Grandparents Day probably began splashing around the waters of Boyd Lake with Nanny and Poppa or perhaps when their grandparents gave them candy after their parents would not – but you would have to ask them.

For each of you, Grandparents Day likely began with that first cherished memory, and it likely wasn’t the first Sunday after Labor Day. It isn’t one day each year. It’s every day.

My grandmother did an amazing thing founding Grandparents Day, but she would be the first to shift the attention away from herself. With this, Grandma McQuade taught me how to be humble through her own example. In fact, she would be red-faced now as I tell you about her efforts in establishing Grandparents Day – she would prefer everyone’s attention be on the senior members of our families and the elderly in the community. It was out of her life’s service to the elderly that the motivation to be a champion for elderly arose.

As you think about your grandparents near and those far from you; as your heart weighs heavy for those grandparents you have lost; as you think fondly upon those grandparents that have taught you, hugged you, spoiled you, and most of all loved you – our grandparents deserve our honor, our thank you, and an ovation worthy of this most respected station in life. My wish is that we all realize the benefits of making every day Grandparents Day.  By Paul McQuade