Collection: Wilch family papers | Boise Dept of Arts & History

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, cards, photographic prints and negatives, advertisements, bills, and ephemera. The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence and cards addressed to Mary dated between 1942-1968. A significant portion of the correspondence is from 1956, when Mary’s mother Edith and sister Hazel traveled to Chicago. Correspondents include Edith McCarthy, Hazel McCarthy, William McCarthy, Mrs. Kenneth Lingley, Blanch McCarthy, and Frank "Tex" Branning.

Dates

1920-1970
Majority of material found in 1942-1968

Creator

McCarthy, Mary E. (1920-2012) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are stored offsite; advanced notice is required.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Mary McCarthy was born on October 7, 1920 to Charles and Edith McCarthy in Oregon. She grew up with two siblings, a sister, Hazel, and brother, William. Sometime between 1920 and 1930 the family moved to Ada County, Idaho. Mary was employed as an auditor at the Idaho State House. She passed away June 6, 2012.

John Peter Wilch was born November 9, 1919 to Peter Wilch and Mary Wilton Towle in Nebraska. He served during World War II in the Army, and then married June Martin on December 28, 1945 in Silverton, Oregon. They lived together in Canyon County until their divorce in 1963.

Mary and John married at some point prior to John's death on June 21, 1983. Mary died on June 4, 2012. They are buried next to each other in the Dry Creek Cemetery.