Anna Reisa Wellington
1920-1983


Originally born Anna Reisa Murray, Anna was the daughter of Larry and Rachel Murray who were casual friends of Garren and Norrine Wellington and in fact stayed at the Wellington Estate for a period of years from 1930 to somewhere near 1934.The generational ties here are strong as Anna was also the grandaughter of Richard "Dickey" Murray; who was part of the expedition that traveled to the area with Lannan Wellington in the 1870's. I think its worthy to note that "Dickey" Murray didnt fare too well after reaching the new territory, Murray became a bit of a wanderer and parted ways with Lannan a few years after arriving here. Murray had a few children through a couple different relationships, one of those children was Larry Murray who later married
Rachel Roccione and the two had a daughter named Anna.

Rachel Murray with baby Anna 1921-22


Anna Reisa Murray 1923



Anna around 5 or 6 years old.


Anna saw the best and the worst of the world growing up as a child. Anna's parents were mostly poor folk, Larry Murray bounced from job to job and it was usually feast or famine yet Anna was close to both of her parents as a child and things seemed normal as you'd expect for a young child.
Family life became more volatile in the struggle to make ends meet and Anna witnessed some of the stresses and pressures that people go through as the Murrays struggled in their relationship. Around the time Anna was 7 years old, her father hit some good fortune as he was hired at the lumber mill at Wellington Timber Company, a year later in 1928 Larry Murray received an award for quick thinking on the job when he took action at the saw mill that evaded a potential accident and injury situation, upon winning this accomodation he met Garren Wellington in person.
Garren and his wife invited the Murrays to dinner at the estate and the couples found they had some things in common, Garren and Larry enjoyed the same drink, good cigars, and billiards. Norrine and Rachel both were interested in art and photography, in fact Rachel Murray had quite a talent for painting. A year later Larry Murray was promoted to a crew foreman and Norrine and Rachel spent more time together as friends and from here the friendship of the two couples had been established.

This is a photo of Anna Murray all dressed up for a train trip to the city with her mother and Norrine Wellington.
**
The Depression hit every one to some degree and it did so to the Murrays as well. Norrine convinced Rachel and Larry to move to the estate and live there for as long as needed to help them get by. Garren had a partial 4th level added on to the estate house some years before and it was more than big enough to accomodate all sorts of people, thus the Murrays agreed.
During the next few years Anna would experience a different side of life. Anna was able to go on trips to the city, eat in upscale restaurants, she sat at formal dinners, and Norrine took endless opportunities ordering clothes for Anna like an Easter dress, a Sunday dress, and any other thing Norrine thought was cute and adorable. There was no decadence during the Depression, but for young Anna, life seemed to be as grand as ever.
Anna reveled in the cozy new home life and she also developed her first crush during this time, it could have been one of the Tabockney children, who also stayed at the estate for some time, but thats not who she had a crush on. Anna had a crush on a young man, athletic looking guy easlily 6 foot tall, brown hair brownish eyes, the guy was 22 year old Liam Wellington.
Liam, being much older and involved in other things, thought Anna was a cute kid but he didnt pay much attention to her, he was known to mistakenly call her "Annie" which young Anna didnt care much for; yet it got worse when Liam found out some liked to tease Anna by calling her "AnnaBanana"
The fate of this two would change in many ways as the years went on.



A very appropriate young Anna photoed at the estate in 1931.


Anna and her mother Rachel were enjoying there residing at Wellington Estate; however Larry Murray didnt feel the same way. Larry's hours at the timber mill were being cut, as was everyones, and his taking to the bottle was increasing with each passing year. Larry had quite a temper especially after drinking it up all night and could become violent, when confronted about this by the Wellingtons and everyone at the estate he decided to leave and his family was going with him. Rachel was not pleased with this decision but felt obligated to at least try to stand by her husband thus sometime in late 1933 to early 1934 the Murrays left the estate.
Leaving the estate triggered a turbulent time for young Anna, her father started to resent the Wellingtons influence and at one point accused Norrine of interfering. Larry's drinking problems continued to worsen and sometime in 1935 Rachel took Anna and left Larry. Larry Murray first thought Rachel came back to the Wellington estate; and Norrine would have hoped as much, instead Rachel took refuge with another man.
**
Anna was now part of a turbulent and broken family, she was furious with her father over making them leave the estate, and now was detached toward her mother for taking refuge with another man. Anna didnt feel comfortable with her mothers new relationship, she felt uncomfortable, like some stranger in a strangers home, shortly thereafter Rachel and her new boyfriend were having troubles and arguing openly quite often.
Anna was nearly 16 years old as all of this was going on around her, she ended up going back and forth living with her mother and father. After the holiday season in 1936 Larry lost his job at the timber company as he had been reprimanded many times for issues related to drinking. Larry told Anna he was leaving town to find other work in a bigger city, and he did just that, he left.



Anna Murray photo somewhere around age 15


A growing up quickly photo of Anna taken at age 17


By the time Anna was 17 she was spending considerable time on her own; estranged from both of her parents she was "shacking up" with people here and there and was leaning to the more shady side of people in terms of who she associated with.
Anna had completed 3 years of high school, just barely, her attendance at school was dropping off more and more, and her notoriety for hanging around night clubs was on the rise. Anna was gaining a reputation as having a liking for the older guys, college age or more. Anna was known to have casually dated a popular young man in town named Jimmy Corey; and in fact, Anna was becoming known for dating a number of characters around town and years later Anna would also become known for not telling the truth about her age.
Anna took a number of cleaning jobs here and there where she could find them, but mostly hung around two local bars serving drinks and flirting with patrons.
New Years Eve at the Katzbars tavern in 1937 would change the course of Anna's life when she met; or one could say was "re-introduced" to a suave young man named Liam Wellington.
**

Above is a steamy and controversial photo of Anna around age 18, its uncertain if Anna was doing photos "on the side" in some regard or whether the photo was taken by Liam during the time they dated, we'll never know the answer, but the visual provides an idea of the sexy side of Anna.
**
It will likely never be known as to who "reeled in" who between Anna and Liam but what we do know is that the two became an item from that new years eve forward.
Anna was a strikingly attractive young woman and stood out in such a way anywhere she went. Anna had developed very good curves, slender legs, and she had "blondie" blonde hair; not that there werent other pretty women in town, but none of them had the look that Anna did.
Prior to new years eve 1937, Liam hadnt seen Anna in some 4 years or better. Anna had grown up considerably in that time, Liam courted Anna for a period of time in 1938 but the relationship clearly grew more intense and by the holidays of 1938 Liam announced his intentions to marry Anna.


Anna's reunion with the Wellingtons was spendid; though there was some concern about the age difference, the Wellingtons felt is was good that Liam "settle down" with someone rather than continue on as the roaming care-free bachelor he had been thus far.
Norrine always adored Anna and was shocked at what a beautiful young woman Anna had become.
For Anna it was a cinderella story, her first crush who she later had basically forgot about had now come back and was going to be her husband. Rachel Murray would attend the wedding in 1939 but Anna would be given away by Garren Wellington since efforts to find the whereabouts of Anna's father were unsuccessful.
A dream come true, Anna was about to become Anna Reisa Wellington.

Continue

1