The old slide was in with the art slides I’ve been scanning. Danica wanted to know right away who was in the car. My mother Helen is at the wheel, with my stepdad Raabye over her shoulder. I have a feeling I should know who was in the back seat, but I can’t say.
The shot probably dates back to 1958 or 59. Not sure about the location, but likely somewhere in Vancouver. Love the fender skirt and whitewall tires.
In the same packet of slides, I found this one of Helen and Raabye on the steps of the church. Newlyweds.
10 comments
Comments are closed.
Great memories! Neat car!
I wrote to you about my guess for who’s in back.
The location appears to be Stanley Park, eh?
Think the car is a Pontiac and it has a split front window so I’m guessing it was an early 50’s model.
I’m sure you nailed it with your guess Joni. The photographer must have been Liz (née Collins) Boychuk, Helen’s best friend from her nursing school days. Liz was a true friend and would definitely been there for the wedding. Liz was married to Abe Boychuk, who was a fireman. That must be Abe smiling in the back seat. As you observe, he is wearing epaulettes… no doubt part of the dress uniform he would have donned for the occasion.
Great sleuthing, Joni! And you are right about Stanley Park, too. Now I recognize the spot as the lookout, with the little snackbar building behind. That would be the North Shore in the distant background. They must have gone to Stanley Park after the wedding, to take some wedding photos.
Good eye on the split windshield, Brian. Thanks for the ID.
The wedding photo at the church door reveals conventions of the time. Helen uses the steps to make sure that Raabye looks taller than her. That way, she could wear the high heels she would have really needed to look her best, yet bow to the conventional wish for the man to be taller. In fact, Raabye was the same height as Helen, or even a tad shorter.
Convention strikes again, centering the photo on the man, while the bride stands to one side, looking up at him.
Last convention. This was Helen’s second marriage, so no white for the bride. It seems so silly now, but back then, white on a previously married woman was a no no.
However, there were elements of the wedding that were ahead of the times. For one thing, us kids attended. Nowadays, the wedding often follows the arrival of the children. Not so much, back then. (Raabye adopted us, so we all became Andersens.)
Another thing: Raabye was 10 years Helen’s junior. Unconventional, even today.
Good observations about height and colour requirements for the conventions of the day. Helen was subtle about being taller, having the bills in her name, and being the driver of the car. Age difference was only one of many ways she broke with tradition. She had to hide her light under a bushel back then.
My guess on the car is 1951 Pontiac Eight.
Thx ||
The Boychuk’s had a wonderful home! i enjoyed the band room upstairs and the piano; playing with their daughters Janice and Shelley Boychuk. (I remember spending the measles with them)
I’m pretty sure that the chrome badging says Silver Streak. Early 50s for sure.
Right you are Frank!
The writing on it’s side is in the same spot, even the colour is stock for Silver Streak.
Good one!