top of page
Photos of Family Heirlooms
These photos are of family heirlooms that are relevant to Sweetie's life that have been reviewed in the Podcast thus far.
Sweetie's Wedding Album
This is Sweetie's original Wedding album / Bridal book. Sweetie did not attach photographs to this wedding album (they were saved elsewhere), but she documented a good deal of information about who was at the wedding and other matters within these pages.
Sweetie and Lew's Wedding Cake Topper
This item, remaining hidden for decades in a box of sewing supplies, is the original wedding cake topper from Sweetie and Lew's wedding cake that they enjoyed on December 3, 1943.
This 80+ year old cake topper is a sculpted pair of a sailor with his bride. From the photos of the wedding (which can be viewed in Sweetie's Wedding album on this website), it can be seen that the bride used to have a fabric veil. The veil has been lost to time, but the fact that Sweetie preserved this cake topper was a delightful surprise when it was found in that small box of ribbons and buttons.
This 80+ year old cake topper is a sculpted pair of a sailor with his bride. From the photos of the wedding (which can be viewed in Sweetie's Wedding album on this website), it can be seen that the bride used to have a fabric veil. The veil has been lost to time, but the fact that Sweetie preserved this cake topper was a delightful surprise when it was found in that small box of ribbons and buttons.
Sweetie and Lew's Wedding Rings
These are Sweetie and Lew's original gold wedding rings. Note their initials on the inside of each of the bands. K.F.D. for Kathryn Frances Demaree (Sweetie) and L.S.G. for Lewis Sidney Graham.
Both of the wedding rings are also engraved with the date of the wedding - 12-3-43.
Both of the wedding rings are also engraved with the date of the wedding - 12-3-43.
Sweetie's Gold Cameo
This is the gold cameo that Sweetie wore at most special events throughout her lifetime. It is suspected that the cameo was originally gifted by Sweetie to her sister, Jeanne, and Jeanne can be seen in Sweetie's Wedding album wearing a cameo on her dress. Additionally, there is a piece on the back of this cameo that would allow it to be on a chain for a necklace, and Sweetie specifically indicates in the summer of 1943 that she is purchasing a necklace for Jeanne in celebration of Jeanne graduating Nursing School, and is careful to note that she has sent it to Jeanne by insured mail as it is quite valuable. Months later, the picture shows Jeanne wearing a cameo at Sweetie's wedding.
It is also possible that Sweetie's parents gave the cameos to their daughters and both Jeanne and Sweetie had one.
Regardless, as the Podcast progresses Sweetie's storyline and new pictures are added of her, check carefully to see if Sweetie is wearing the cameo.
Sweetie would wear this particular cameo for as long as she attended any public events or family gatherings, including up through the early 2000's.
It is also possible that Sweetie's parents gave the cameos to their daughters and both Jeanne and Sweetie had one.
Regardless, as the Podcast progresses Sweetie's storyline and new pictures are added of her, check carefully to see if Sweetie is wearing the cameo.
Sweetie would wear this particular cameo for as long as she attended any public events or family gatherings, including up through the early 2000's.
The Marriage Service book of Samuel Graham and Sidney Bonsall Lewis
This Presbyterian Marriage Service book records the order of service for the wedding on June 16, 1909 of Samuel Graham and Sidney Bonsall Lewis (Lew Graham's parents).
The book itself was copyright 1907 and published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication in Philadelphia.
Please view the pdf scans of the book to see the pages. Note the page near the end of the book in which the family noted the children of Samuel and Sidney. Curiously, Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew" is noted here as Sidney or William Lewis Graham. This page also notes that Samuel and Sidney's son, Samuel Lewis Graham was killed in 1935. Because of this, this text was likely added to the book at some point after that event.
Also shown in the scanned copy are two items that were inserted into the book by the family. One is a card for Samuel Graham (Lew's father) noting "of Bailey Banks & Biddle Co.", a renowned jewelry company in Philadelphia, as well as the original wedding announcement from the paper of Samuel and Sidney's wedding, noting that the bride is descendant of the Revolutionary Colonel, Timothy Matlack.
The book itself was copyright 1907 and published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication in Philadelphia.
Please view the pdf scans of the book to see the pages. Note the page near the end of the book in which the family noted the children of Samuel and Sidney. Curiously, Lewis Sidney Graham a.k.a. "Lew" is noted here as Sidney or William Lewis Graham. This page also notes that Samuel and Sidney's son, Samuel Lewis Graham was killed in 1935. Because of this, this text was likely added to the book at some point after that event.
Also shown in the scanned copy are two items that were inserted into the book by the family. One is a card for Samuel Graham (Lew's father) noting "of Bailey Banks & Biddle Co.", a renowned jewelry company in Philadelphia, as well as the original wedding announcement from the paper of Samuel and Sidney's wedding, noting that the bride is descendant of the Revolutionary Colonel, Timothy Matlack.
Graham Family Bible
This Bible was presented to Joseph S. Lewis and Annie Matlack (Lew's maternal grandparents) on their wedding in 1866. The Bible itself was printed in 1866.
the Bible was subsequently passed down to Samuel Graham and Sidney Bonsall Lewis (Lew's parents) on their wedding day on June 16, 1909. Sidney passed the Bible down to Lew and Sweetie at an unknown date.
the Bible was subsequently passed down to Samuel Graham and Sidney Bonsall Lewis (Lew's parents) on their wedding day on June 16, 1909. Sidney passed the Bible down to Lew and Sweetie at an unknown date.
Sweetie's French Huguenot Cross
This gold pendant, which hangs on gold chain, is a necklace that Sweetie would wear at times.
While Sweetie was raised and practiced as a Presbyterian, she had an incredible respect for family history, and knew that the family was descended from French Huguenots who had left Europe to escape religious persecution in the 1600's.
The Huguenot Cross features eight points, symbolizing the Eight Beatitudes (in French, the boutonné). In between each of the arms of the cross are fleur-de-lis (French for flower and iris), which each have three petals. Since there are four of these in the design, there are twelve petals, symbolizing the twelve Apostles. The empty space below the fleur-de-lis and the arms of the cross form hearts, which is the symbol of loyalty and is thought to reference John Calvin, the French reformer.
The dove (the pendant portion of the cross) symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
While Sweetie was raised and practiced as a Presbyterian, she had an incredible respect for family history, and knew that the family was descended from French Huguenots who had left Europe to escape religious persecution in the 1600's.
The Huguenot Cross features eight points, symbolizing the Eight Beatitudes (in French, the boutonné). In between each of the arms of the cross are fleur-de-lis (French for flower and iris), which each have three petals. Since there are four of these in the design, there are twelve petals, symbolizing the twelve Apostles. The empty space below the fleur-de-lis and the arms of the cross form hearts, which is the symbol of loyalty and is thought to reference John Calvin, the French reformer.
The dove (the pendant portion of the cross) symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Chester Demaree's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Hat Pin
During the Depression, Dr. Chester Demaree (Sweetie's father) served as an officer in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Latin logo at the bottom of the pin is "Semper Patria Mea" or "Always My Country."
Dr. Chester Demaree worked hard to take care of his fellow countrymen during the Great Depression. Jeanne Demaree would later write of him during this time that "[h]e was very thoughtful of people during the depression and charged only $1.00 for an office call."
This pin, which was found in a box containing another one of Dr. Demaree's items, is thought to be from the 1930's.
Dr. Chester Demaree worked hard to take care of his fellow countrymen during the Great Depression. Jeanne Demaree would later write of him during this time that "[h]e was very thoughtful of people during the depression and charged only $1.00 for an office call."
This pin, which was found in a box containing another one of Dr. Demaree's items, is thought to be from the 1930's.
Lew's World War II Medals
These are Lew's World War II medals. Lew served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945.
From left to right:
1. United States Navy Good Conduct Medal - required three years of service
2. United States Naval Reserve Faithful Service Medal
3. World War II American Campaign Medal (Lew earned this due to aggregate service in the United States during the War for more than one year)
4. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - required active duty service in the European Theater
5. World War II Victory Medal - awarded to service members to served in the United States active duty military or reserve forces between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946
From left to right:
1. United States Navy Good Conduct Medal - required three years of service
2. United States Naval Reserve Faithful Service Medal
3. World War II American Campaign Medal (Lew earned this due to aggregate service in the United States during the War for more than one year)
4. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - required active duty service in the European Theater
5. World War II Victory Medal - awarded to service members to served in the United States active duty military or reserve forces between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946
Lew's Medal to Sweetie during World War II
Lew made this medal on his 3-month Anniversary to Sweetie. He dates the medal February 3, 1944, and inscribes the medal with a flower in the top right-hand corner.
The rest of the inscription reads "Dear Kay, here is the spoonful of flour back, I Love You Honey."
The rest of the inscription reads "Dear Kay, here is the spoonful of flour back, I Love You Honey."
Sweetie's Gold Watch
This beautiful gold watch is referenced many times in the letters, and was given to Sweetie by her parents before she went to Parsons College in the fall of 1941.
This is the watch that Sweetie trusts to Jeanne many times to be fixed.
This is the watch that Sweetie trusts to Jeanne many times to be fixed.
Sweetie's Gold Identification Bracelet
This gold bracelet was given to Sweetie by her husband Lew during their first Christmas together in Ottumwa, Iowa in December 1943.
Sweetie and Lew were married on December 3rd of that same year. This piece of jewelry is engraved with the date it was given - 12-25-43.
Sweetie and Lew were married on December 3rd of that same year. This piece of jewelry is engraved with the date it was given - 12-25-43.
Sweetie's Sewing Machine
This is the Sears Kenmore sewing machine that Sweetie ordered in late summer 1946 and received in November 1947, after a 16-month wait.
Sweetie used this sewing machine all her life, and it is still in working order as of 2025. The spool of thread seen at the top of the machine is there where she left it before she passed away. It remains in the middle of whatever last project she was working on, no doubt something for her grandchildren.
Sweetie used this sewing machine all her life, and it is still in working order as of 2025. The spool of thread seen at the top of the machine is there where she left it before she passed away. It remains in the middle of whatever last project she was working on, no doubt something for her grandchildren.
Chester Demaree's Painting of the Grand Canyon
This painting by Sweetie's father, Dr. Demaree, was probably completed in the 1930's. The painting is discussed in a letter in Episode 78 "The Man Who Makes the Marionettes Work" as the siblings try to determine who should receive the painting in the future. Since there is no mention of Chester completing this painting in any of Sweetie's letters from the 1940's, it is most likely this was completed before that decade.
The painting is about four feet wide and about 3 feet tall, and it is oil on wood (not canvas). The frame is original to the painting - it is possible Chester made that as well.
Chester was not a professional artist, but his attention to detail and perspective in some parts of the painting (especially the detail on the boulders / cliffs) is exceptional.
The painting is about four feet wide and about 3 feet tall, and it is oil on wood (not canvas). The frame is original to the painting - it is possible Chester made that as well.
Chester was not a professional artist, but his attention to detail and perspective in some parts of the painting (especially the detail on the boulders / cliffs) is exceptional.
bottom of page