Agatha Rossetti Hessley papers, 1970-2005.

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  • Collection ID WLA1996.32
  • Creator Names Hessley, Agatha Rossetti, 1906-1994.
  • Title Agatha Rossetti Hessley papers, 1970-2005.
  • Physical description 1 linear foot.
  • Collection arrangement Series 1: Correspondence, 1970-2005 ; Arranged chronologically.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Born April 14, 19906, died May 31, 1994. Homemaker. Agatha Rossetti Hessley was born April 14, 1906, the eldest of four children of immigrant Italian parents. She lived with her family in Sheffield, Pennsylvania. When she was 9, her mother died. Agatha became surrogate mother to her younger sister and brothers. Although busy raising her siblings, she graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in 1924. She won a partial scholarship to Penn State but was unable to go to college because her father, a tannery laborer, could not meet the remaining costs. She worked as a clerk and bookkeeper in Sheffield until she married Joseph B. Hessley on January 30, 1929. The couple moved to Warren, Pennsylvania. During her time in Warren she raised three daughters and two sons. Her daughter Rita described her as "a traditional, classic homemaker" although, as her letters demonstrate, her interests ranged beyond those prescribed by her traditional role. When her husband's health began to deteriorate, she lied about her age and was hired by the N.K. Wendelobe Paint Company as their bookkeeper. She worked for the company for 28 years, retiring in 1988. Hessley died on May 31, 1994.
  • Collection summary The papers of Agatha Rossetti Hessley consist of letters written to her daughter, Rita K. Hessley, and document Hessley family events. Many of these letters contain Agatha's views on subjects including politics, current scientific research, and the Catholic Church. News clippings are often included with the letters.
  • Finding Aids Note
    • Finding aid available in repository.
    • Finding aid available in repository; folder level.
  • Access and usage restrictions Some restrictions may apply.
  • Names
    • Hessley, Agatha Rossetti, 1906-1994. Archives.
    • Hessley, Rita K. (Rita Kathleen) Correspondence.
    • Hessley family Archives.
    • Loyola University Chicago. Women and Leadership Archives.
  • Subjects Catholic women United States Correspondence.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid to the Agatha Rossetti Hessley papers http://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/wla/pdfs/Hessley,%20Agatha%20R.pdf