An angel for Christmas: Mother’s gift connects generations

CAPE GEORGE — In 1970, Mary Maltby’s mother gave her a present — a small angel, kneeling, its cupped wings holding an infant.

The angel was a silent acknowledgement of the loss Mary and her husband had recently suffered. That same year, Mary’s father died at the age of 63.

And every year afterward until she died, her mother gave Mary an angel for Christmas.

Now a grandmother, Mary Maltby has collected more than 100 angels of all sizes and shapes, from drugstore figurines to fine porcelain pieces.

Some were gifts, some were inherited, some she bought herself at a gift shop or garage sale.

But each is a keepsake, a symbol of hope and love passed down from mother to daughter, grandmother to granddaughter.

“I gave one of my mother’s angels to my niece, a snow globe with an angel in it,” Maltby said.

“She was only 10 when her grandmother, my mother, died.”

Most of the angels are female, most are young. Some kneel in prayer.

Others, designed as gifts for young girls, have a more lively persona.

Among Maltby’s favorites are a set of three young angels from her mother’s collection, each playing a musical instrument.

Two larger angels are by Lladro, the Spanish porcelain maker, and were gifts from Maltby’s daughter when she worked in Spain.

Of the two, the larger, chunkier angel is one of Maltby’s favorites.

“I like the bare foot sticking out,” Maltby said.

Maltby will share her collection on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church as a new addition to the Presbyterian Women’s annual Nativity Open House.

When Christmas is over, Maltby carefully wraps each angel in bubble-wrap, then places it in a storage crate.

When it comes time, she will pass on the collection to another generation.

“I know my youngest daughter will appreciate them.”

From there, they will be passed down to Maltby’s granddaughter, Olivia, who is the image of Mary’s mother.

________

Port Townsend/Jefferson County reporter/columnist Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jjackson@olypen.com.

More in News

Worst of rainfall over on Peninsula

Atmospheric river unleashes flooding, downed trees

Port Townsend OKs its budget for 2024

Reflects more than $60 million in expenses

Port of Port Townsend’s process for Short’s Farm underway

Steering committee includes farmers, land use organizations

Clallam residents reappointed to advisory boards

The Clallam County commissioners have reappointed several residents to… Continue reading

Blacklight art requested for show

Art for the Bring Your Own Blacklight Art Show,… Continue reading

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and kisses from Maru, a white husky mix belonging to Ally Kreider of Port Angeles, at the second annual Santa Paws holiday photo event on Saturday at Petsense in Port Angeles. Pet owners were allowed to bring their critters for a photo with Santa in an event sponsored by the Soroptimist International Noon Club of Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Holiday kisses

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and… Continue reading

Clallam County: 2-phase approach for Towne Road

Commissioners want trail atop levee

Jefferson County budget has good outlook

Commissioners expected to vote next week

Sheriff’s deputy, good Samaritan rescue two from water

Two people were rescued from 1,000 feet offshore in Squamish… Continue reading

Law enforcement: Sleeping smoker cause of house fire

A man who fell asleep while smoking was determined… Continue reading

Washington state ferries are docked on the north end of Vashon Island on Feb. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Three state ferries projects get federal funding

Washington State Ferries will receive three grants from the Federal… Continue reading

Accasia Anderson, 7, a second-grade student at Greywolf School in Sequim, examines a book for sale on Saturday at the school’s Holiday Bazaar. The event, hosted by the Sequim Elementary Parent Teacher Association, spotlighted the work of more than 50 vendors, including crafts made by students, along with a Scholastic Book Fair. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Book fair in Sequim

Accasia Anderson, 7, a second-grade student at Greywolf School in Sequim, examines… Continue reading