Mary Jensen
(George Jensen's Wife)
Mary Jensen, George’s pregnant 41-year-old wife, feared the worst with her husband’s departure for the U.S. Army in 1942. For this demure, shy woman who was nearly five-years older than her husband, distant memories of childhood abandonment surfaced for the first time since the ending of World War I nearly a generation earlier. Prior to American entrance into that long-ago conflict, Mary’s father walked away from his wife and six children.
At the beginning
of another world conflict, this middle-aged woman was haunted by fears of again
being left behind and facing financial hardship, separation, loneliness, and the
possibility of losing a loved one. For the most part, these burdens were born in
silence. She was now married to a loving man, but those traumatic early years of
childhood followed her into adult life.
Mary Jensen, home
front civilian
The only food that could be bought this
week was flour, flour products, fresh fruit, vegetables (just a few of those),
paper products, and fresh meat, if you could find anything. The butcher told me
that there will be no more T-bone, sirloin or short-cut steaks after rationing
is fully implemented on March 1, 1943. But, I am not crabbing so long
as you eat. We are getting along just grand. Only, we miss you so very much.
Sometimes, I think I just live on memories and hopes. I suppose people shouldn’t
love anyone as much as I do you. It is hard on me at times.
We may not buy a
turkey for Christmas this year. I am afraid I would choke on it, thinking about
you not being here to help eat it. I’ll buy one if you come home on a later
furlough if you can get one.
I hope things will
be better for us next year. A person must have some happiness. It was quite a
shock when you called last night and told me you wouldn’t get a furlough. Of
course, I never plan too much on anything. I hope you aren’t sent too far away.
If things turn out so that we won’t see each other soon, we will have to make
the best of it. I don’t know how right now ….
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| Denver, Colorado at beginning of war |
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George Jensen says "Goodbye" The Jensen Home in Denver, CO George Jensen to wife, Mary, on July 17, 1942 on leave in early 1943 |