When Mary Heffernan and her husband Brian They found out they were going to be parents for the first time, they decided they wanted to honor «a long tradition of strong Catholic women» that, by chance or fate, exists in both branches of their families.
So, when their first daughter was born, they called her Mary Frances Borchard in honor of Brian’s great-aunt, who was named Frances Borchard, and Mary Heffernan’s great-grandfather, whose name was Francis. They both liked the name and decided to honor «the strong members of both families.»
What they never imagined is that, in the next three pregnancies, they would have only girls. But, as they noted in a Facebook post, once they started «there was no turning back.»
His second daughter was baptized Mary Marjorie Sheehyin honor of Mary Heffernan’s grandmother -Mary Sheehy-, who died shortly before Mary and Brian’s wedding. And also to honor her sister, Marjorie «Marge» Sheehy, the family’s «favorite» great-aunt.
«Aunt Marge cries every time she sees her and says how much she she looks like her late sistermy mother’s mother, who was a wonderful woman,» said Mary, 47 years old.
As detailed, the second girl «is lucky to have inherited the pretty and delicate appearance of the Sheehy girls, as well as their sweet and loving personality«.
For the third pregnancy, they thought it was their turn to have a boy, but it wasn’t like that. Mary Jane Regan is the third to bear the name. In her case, she honors Mary Jane Simonson, Mary Heffernan’s paternal grandmother. «I never knew my dad’s mother, she died young, but I know that He had a strong and bold personality.just like its namesake,» he said.
Finally, the fourth pregnancy was no exception. was born Mary Teresa Katherinein honor of Aunt Tere, Godmother Kathy and Grandma Kate, all part of the maternal side. Kate passed away when Mary Heffernan was pregnant with her fourth daughter.
Four daughters, one name: the family tradition that unites the Marys in California
The story was shared on Five Marysthe Facebook profile and branding of the family’s farming business, which resides in Fort Jones, a small historic town in the northern Scott Valley, Siskiyou County, California, United States.
The publication received several comments among users, who wondered how he avoided confusing his daughtersor worried about how it might affect them in the future and limit their independence.
«The Internet has its opinions. «I don’t worry too much about that, if it helps people remember us and our brand of cattle,» Mary Heffernan told the Daily Mail.
The 47-year-old noted that her family «doesn’t need outside approval,» and said that «the girls love their names, and that’s what matters.» «Over time, the name Mary became a common thread in our family and something that really unifies our family culture, something I appreciate even more now that we are raising teenagers in today’s world,» she said.
For her, Mary «is a strong name»which represents «humility, firmness and strength», and which lasts «for generations». «I love what it represents as a foundation for our family,» he added.
To avoid chaos in daily life, each daughter has used a different nickname since childhood. Mary Frances is known as Francie, Mary Marjorie responds to the name of Maisie, Mary Jane es JJ and the youngest, Mary Teresaes Tessa.
«In everyday life it is rarely confusing. Only when we try to go through airport security as a family,» Mary Hefferman said ironically. In the face of criticism, she assured that each of her daughters «has a strong sense of identity and very different personalities.»
«The shared name did not define them, but, if anything, rooted them in family tradition»he concluded.
