A Radio Station Helped an 81-Year-Old Find Her 104-Year-Old Birth Mother
How’s this for a Mother’s Day story: There’s an 81-year-old in Ireland named Eileen Macken, who grew up in an orphanage and never knew her parents.
She started searching for her mom when she was 19, and kept searching for 60 years but never found her. Then last year, she told her story on a radio show in Ireland. And a genealogy expert who happened to be listening offered to help.
And after some digging, they found out her mom was STILL ALIVE.
Her name is Elizabeth. She lives in Scotland and turns 104 years old this weekend. And last month, Eileen flew to Scotland to meet her for the very first time.
Eileen’s family was a little worried about her traveling because SHE’S so old. And she’s had some health issues. But she told them she HAD to do it.
Apparently, her mom had no idea she was coming. Eileen just showed up at her door, and her half-brother answered.
She called into the same radio station the other day and told the whole story. And it couldn’t have gone better.
She said her mom is incredibly kind . . . wouldn’t let go of her hand the whole time . . . and didn’t want her to leave. And there’s a great photo of them posing together in Elizabeth’s living room.
(RTE / The Journal)