There are a few names that can be mentioned to longtime War Memorial visitors that evoke strong sentiment, such as Miss Mary Ellen Cooper, Vincent DePetris, and Chet Sampson. But one name recalled with great affection really stands out as she kept the nascent Association organized, rolling smoothly, and well fed – its first employee, Mrs. McGinty.

The story began in England in 1918, when 25-year-old Irishman, Francis (“Frank”) J. McGinty from County Down, found himself happily separated from both the British Army and WWI after being shot once in the leg and gassed even more times. He landed in Liverpool, England and happened upon a lovely blonde lass with a big, ready smile and dimples, Miss Anne Franklin. The 21-year-old Liverpudlian had been working for the Lyons’ restaurant and hotel chain in Britian and Wales as a waitress and then as a hostess. She found she excelled at cooking, serving, and hospitality, and loved the work. Not long thereafter, the couple married and settled down in Liverpool and soon had two daughters, Norah and Anne.

After a few years they decided to “move across the pond” to America. Francis went first in 1923, to test the job market; Anne and the girls would follow once he was established. By 1926, he was ready. Francis was situated in Detroit, working at the Detroit Steel Products Company, which was located where the huge GM Factory ZERO now sits near Hamtramck. He toiled away with 1,500 Americans producing the in-demand Detroit Springs used in the majority of automobiles and the wildly popular Fenestra steel windows. All Anne had to do was wait in Windsor, Ontario while she was being processed, then join him across the River in Detroit. She quickly found a job as hostess at the upscale Prince Edward Hotel on Ouellette and Park Streets. Once allowed in as a U.S. citizen, she had successive hospitality jobs at affluent downtown Detroit locations: the beautiful Colony Club on Park; the Women’s City Club; and as assistant manager of the Savoyard Club atop the Buhl Building. She also worked on the hallowed 14th Floor of the General Motors Building in their exclusive Executive Dining Room. These were jobs that were not for the faint of heart and served her well, getting her “maximum face time” and experience with the upper echelon of greater Detroit business and society.

Briefly she took on a partnership in a somewhat unusual business venture: a small cottage rental business in the Upper Peninsula’s rather desolate village of Newberry. The census count for Newberry in 2020 was still under 1,500 citizens, and it remains billed as “the Moose Capital of Michigan” to this day. Up there, decades ago, Anne was reportedly “very lonesome” and possibly bored with no people, five cabins, and many moose; she quickly abandoned the Newberry partnership for Detroit again.

To enhance her education of the hospitality business, Anne attended Wayne University (now Wayne State University) and completed their Institutional Management, Nutrition, and Quality Cooking and Buying courses. She also studied at Scranton’s Women’s Institute of Arts and Domestic Sciences. Her next job was not as an assistant or hostess, but as the manager of Detroit’s old Chimes Cafeteria for three years. She now expertly knew the daily ins-and-outs of running an institutional food business, back and front of house.

In spring of 1949, shortly after its inception, the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association appointed her their House Manager, with Francis joining her as the Houseman (maintenance). Anne was the cook, housekeeper, Daily Events poster, and general organizer of everything House-related. Francis was all manner of heavy cleaning, repair, upkeep, and overnight security guard. If it was on the property, he deep cleaned and painted it - repeatedly.

The McGinty’s lived on the second floor inhabiting the northern wing, the former servants’ quarters. The original horseshoe-shaped cluster of seven very small rooms, bathroom, and back stairs were turned into an apartment featuring a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and bathroom, with their own private stairs. At night they would stroll through the gardens or sit by the lake and enjoy the view, probably in the manner the Alger’s used to do so before them. Their two daughters were now grown and married, and there were curious grandchildren who were known to prowl the rooms and grounds afterhours and on holidays.

The former Alger House had nothing in it when taken over by the War Memorial Association, so the grandiose idea of soon holding numerous large events and preparing and serving food was daunting, even to someone with such an extensive food service background as Anne McGinty. The very first items purchased were fifty card tables and 200 folding chairs as they needed something for the Board, Committee Members, early guests, and the McGinty’s to sit on and work from.

The just-created Board of Directors encouraged “friends” of the new “Memorial Center”, as it was long commonly referred to, to visit “flea markets and church sales” to scavenge for cheap but necessary kitchen implements, food preparation, and serveware. The idea of scoring an inexpensive mixer, 50-cup coffee urn, or a used vacuum cleaner was a very big deal back then to them. The great Robert Tannahill brought in the House’s large furnishings (and antiques) via donations – at which he and his Rolodex famously excelled - and he sometimes dug into his own personal collection. But the actual goods needed to operate the business and prepare and serve food were left to the others to secure, and Mrs. McGinty had long but realistic lists of items required to get the Memorial Center up and running like a top.

Success was immediate and great. She cooked for and served a variety of groups from the beginning, such as the Rotary, Optimists, Soroptimists, Kiwanis, Men’s Garden Club, and Veterans Club, and the men’s clubs demanded meat meals. There were even more youth and women’s clubs to plan meals for, plus plenty of teas, special events, outside groups, and frequent dances that kept her hopping.

The Board were very effusive in their respect for the McGinty’s valuable work, particularly Anne’s, and proclaimed that “as of July 1,1950, the McGinty’s should get an additional $25 per month.” For the first fiscal year ending July 31, 1950, Mrs. McGinty earned $3,300 ($275) and Mr. McGinty $3,000 ($250) with a $100 (split) Christmas bonus. The Board of Directors also gifted them a clock.

Beside always earning slightly more than Francis, it is interesting to note that she was listed as a Director and was present for every Board Meeting from her initial hiring onward. Anne received the biggest thanks of anyone in the first Annual Report dated May of 1950. War Memorial Association President Alger Shelden, Jr. remarked, “Her unfailing courtesy and cheerful spirit has covered up so many of the mistakes we have made. Mere words can’t express what the McGinty’s have done to make this Center a success and an enjoyable place to come to.”

According to the Board’s monthly records, Mrs. McGinty was indeed doing yeoman’s work from the outset. From June 1 – June 30, 1950, 12,252 people came via the19 groups that visited. Total attendance in July of 1950 was 1,485 and in August 1950, 825 as per the September figures. Returning after summer break in the autumn, September 27 – October 24, 1950, saw 3,694 people over 76 events, 31 being regular groups. November 1950 saw 96 meetings held and 3,623 attendees.

Dances were very popular here from the beginning and refreshments were always served. Two dances, October 9 and November 6, 1949, saw 403 youngsters. For Teen and Young Adult dances July 9, 1949 – July 31,1950, total attendance was 6,159. In December 1950, 937 “young people” attended a 9th grade open house, and the formal New Year’s Ball saw 241 couples served.

During March of 1951, there were 399 lunches, 140 dinners, and 89 teas with a total of 628 served. 34 groups and 2,594 people were in and out of the Memorial Center, an obvious illustration as to why Mrs. McGinty still had new bake ovens, large mixers, and a deep freezer at the top of her kitchen wish list.

April of 1951, there were 732 lunches served; 1,265 visitors attended teas; and 169 attended dinners.

In the President’s Report to Members dated May 7, 1951, Alger Shelden, Jr. cited an astonishing attendance of over 50,000, with food service to over 8,000 during the past year alone! Yet there were still only four fulltime employees: Mr. and Mrs. McGinty, an office manager, and the gardener. Anne had her hands full budgeting, preparing, and serving those thousands of meals.

Shelden also reported, “In the two Grosse Pointe newspapers alone, more than 430 individual articles were carried – or an average of more than four per paper per week. These were also supplemented by articles and a few spreads in the Detroit papers. Measured in column inches, the news stories in the two Grosse Pointe papers during the past year amounted to 4,121 inches; 21 pictures measured in 647 column inches were printed; and 1,861 column inches were devoted to the papers in running program listings; there were also six excellent editorials. There were over 10,000 Grosse Pointe home owners sent regular mailings from us.”

On September 1, 1952, Mr. John W. Lake was announced as the new Executive Director of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association, effective immediately. Mrs. McGinty reported directly to him and was made responsible for all Housekeeping and Food Service, and was “over the Houseman, the Cook, Maids, Waitresses, and other House Department personnel.” With Lake’s final approval she “could hire House Department staff and temporary help; purchase supplies; sign service contract drafts; make all food service event arrangements; set food and waitress fees; maintain records and approved vouchers for submission to the organization Treasurer; account for all food and housekeeping charges; and post Memorial Center Daily Events on the activities board.”

With that, a part time cleaner was made full time house cleaner and two women were hired part time to help Anne with event cooking. As an example, they cranked out two dozen pies and 1,000 cookies at a time for the 400-person luncheons and 300-person sit-down dinners and special events. Part time wait help was also hired as needed.

For the eight months ending March 31, 1953, Food & Catering costs were $7,656.39, a far cry from costs nowadays.

For many years, the Memorial Center shut down for several weeks to a month in the summer, usually during August. Heavy repairs, large public area projects, construction, or replacement of appliances would generally happen during this time. The McGinty’s took their vacation during this down time, as did the growing staff in subsequent years. The McGinty’s eventually purchased a cottage at Crescent Lake in Waterford Township that became their special getaway sometime in the mid- to late-1950’s. It wasn’t terribly far from Grosse Pointe, but it was far enough to allow them to forget endless maintenance projects and serving thousands of gallons of Anne’s famed “McGinty Punch” or her special English Trifle.

In 1953, John Lake offered to sleep in the House to avoid hiring overnight security while the McGinty’s went on their vacation. The couple usually went later in the summer, but wanted to go earlier that year for a very special reason: their visit home coincided with the once-in-a-lifetime coronation of Queen Elizabeth on June 2. While in England, 60-year-old Francis suffered a major heart attack. In the minutes of the July 13 meeting, the Board was very distressed to have learned of Mr. McGinty’s health emergency and made it their first topic of discussion. They wanted to make sure the McGinty’s “had the funds to finance the illness and to return home when ready.” Fortunately, Britain’s National Health Service took care of his medical expenses. By the end of August, the McGinty’s signaled they were on their way back to Grosse Pointe from Ireland, where Francis had been recovering after his release from the British hospital. (Grosse Pointe News, 8/20/1953). Like clockwork, Anne was listed in attendance at the September 14 Board Meeting.

At the October 13, 1952, meeting, Mrs. McGinty announced that over 600 people were served in one day. At the February 1953 meeting, she had reported 1,726 were served between luncheons, dinners, teas, and refreshments. By September 1953, she had served 2,058.

At the Annual Members Meeting of September 28, 1953, Lake reported over 15,000 more people had used the Memorial Center than the previous year.

As with all things, fast growth also brought some growing pains, especially for the new non-profit. There were frequent discussions about Grosse Pointe group room rentals and food prices versus non-Grosse Pointe residents – and at what percentage of Grosse Pointe membership in each club constitutes being Grosse Pointe. Similar debates were flying over the idea of weddings and veterans; what veterans’ exemptions, if any, should we accept for allowing marriages? Likewise, exactly which kinds of events are allowed and what, if anything can be sold at events? The varying food and room price quotes, and the answer as to if an event could be booked at the Memorial Center, frequently fell to Mrs. McGinty. Everyone was still feeling their way through this process with differing opinions. For example, on December 14,1953, it was decided “Detroit (and other cities’) groups using the facilities catering be required to pay room rent equivalent to that paid by Grosse Pointe groups when no food is served; the Memorial Center dinners start from $2.50 plus tax, except for service groups for whom a special meal will be prepared at $1.65. Luncheons should begin at $1.25 plus tax. Meals for weddings should start at $2.75 plus tax. Waitress fees should be $7 during the day, but $8 beginning with the dinner hour.” Debates for adjustments and refinements happened every few months as different or new situations arose. Mrs. McGinty rolled with whatever changes were instituted and adjusted her prices, menus, and plans accordingly.

During October of 1954, 3,323 were served, up from 2,852 the same month the previous year.

For Christmas time events, she’d make her “special” Christmas cookies and cakes, served with hot wassail, and McGinty Punch. The New Year’s Eve Ball was a buffet for 500 formally dressed attendees, that included cold turkey, ham, assorted relishes, breads, potato chips, cakes, hot chocolate, coffee, milk, and Punch. The 300 visitors at the New Residents’ Reception January 2, 1955, received hot wassail, coffee, assorted Christmas cookies, and cakes.

1955 was a year that signaled some possible changes ahead for Anne McGinty. With her food service in overdrive, at the July 11, 1955 meeting, it was voted that the cooks would get $12 per 150 guests, and an additional $2 for each additional 50 guests. They had previously gotten $12 for serving 300 guests. During May of 1955 alone, she served 336 luncheons for the Junior Goodwill Fair, 276 lunches for the Garden Center Fair, 300 dinners for the 1955 Graduating Class of Grosse Pointe High, and 100 breakfasts for the Y.W.C.A. Her statistics from August 31, 1954, were 26,548 meals/refreshments served as compared to August 31, 1955, at 35,941 meals/refreshments served, another large jump.

By the end of August 1955, she’d finally received her kitchen equipment: 1 Garland Hot Top range and broiler; 1 Garland burner range; 1 high shelf for open burner range; 1 fry griddle and broiler; and 1 Blodgett roaster oven, all for $1,272.25. With a new (but used) refrigerator and deep freeze installed the previous year, she was now pretty well set with professional grade kitchen appliances for serving large groups daily.

Anne & Francis stroll the knot gardens, undated

There were a few warning signs back in January that the number of bookings might not be great for the year, but that fortunately didn’t come to pass: January 1955 (2,797 served) versus January 1956 (4,733 served). Coming back after summer break was also a pleasant surprise: September 1955 (3,269 served) vs. September 1956 (4,338 served).

In the December 1955 meeting, Mrs. McGinty pleaded for the first time for more promotion surrounding her catering service as she was seeing a reduction in requests and was a bit worried about it. Unlike January’s scare, this was the first time John Lake also cautioned that there were events that were booking elsewhere that normally would have booked here, due to the groups being too large to accommodate in the House. These were the beginnings of Lake starting to think about reconfiguration or, better yet, expansion.

Another raise for the cooks was approved in November of 1956: $12 for meals of 75 people and under; $15 for every Tuesday dinner, even though less than 75 were present; and $18 for 150 or more served.

The caution lights flashed again in December of 1956 when John Lake proclaimed to the Board that bookings were down because ”there are weakness in the physical plant.” Apparently, this meant he thought some of the rooms were looking shabby, heat and lighting needed upgrading, and most importantly, there was insufficient space for larger groups. He then (perhaps oddly) proposed that the Library be turned into a small auditorium with a stage. A group was assembled to examine improving all of the facilities.

After their findings, Lake began seriously pursuing the idea of another building or extension. When William Fries’ passed a few years later in February 1959, and his very generous financial gift was made known, it was the answer to the problem of “not enough space.” But not yet knowing this, Lake started to lay the groundwork for expansion and addressed the constant parking problem back in the mid-1950’s.

The word “weddings” finally appeared during the January 1957 year wrap-up by Mrs. McGinty; there were 50 weddings, but the sizes/attendance were not noted. Wedding teas suddenly became a thing in 1958 and 1959, almost 300 of them were held.

A fulltime maintenance man started in 1959 to help Mr. McGinty, who was ready to retire. Between his old war wound, previous major heart attack, and age, it was well past time.

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, annual themed Gourmet events took place whereby Anne prepared dishes alongside various acclaimed chefs from famous Detroit area restaurants. For a Chinese-themed evening in February of 1961 with Mrs. Moy (of the famed Chung’s in Chinatown and Moy’s on Jefferson in the Shores), Egg Rolls, Chicken Subgum, and a surprise Chinese delicacy were created. Anne augmented the Asian theme with her own Mandarin Orange Salad and a dessert of Peach Flambe a la Russe. The room décor, floral arrangements, and service were appropriately authentic although the patrons were relieved that “chopsticks were optional.“ Her 1959 St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza was with Chef Zack from the intrepid Al Green’s (E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park). It appears Chef Zack whipped up Filet de Boeuf with Marchand de Vin among other serious culinary delights. Anne, who was also of Irish extraction, accompanied his meal with her Colcannon and Soda Bread. Yet another of the Gourmet segments brought in Chef Jean Ameriguian from Little Harry’s (E. Jefferson, Detroit), who presented some of his crowd favorites with Anne. Pointers greatly looked forward to these themed Gourmet events with wonderful local chefs and Anne whipping up exotic creations in tandem.

Sometime in the late 1950’s, ads mysteriously appeared for Mrs. McGinty’s Catering. The business may have been filed under Francis’ name, but it was Anne’s outside catering business. It was located on Detroit’s west side and several of her grandchildren recall their parents helping out regularly or visiting the facility themselves when they were very young. As her relatives recalled, Anne had a lovely, warm smile and demeanor, but could be all business when needed. She was able to consistently put up the large numbers documented here and still had the drive to run a catering concern with her good name proudly attached to it.

There were 750 attendees – another great turnout - at 1960’s annual January New Residents’ Reception and “her (Anne’s) homemade goodies were enjoyed by all,” John Lake enthused.

In April 1960, the eternal battle of service and food cost percentage again raged. Mrs. McGinty and the new House Committee head tried to explain that “small meals” were “a constant loss as the same amount of help is required.” The varying costs of room rates per group or event also added to the constant explaining to understand her numbers’ reports.

Anne serves the Sr. Men’s Club (*Grosse Pointe News*,1/14/1962)

Comparisons for June 1959 versus June 1960: luncheons went from 635 to 766; teas went from 1,526 down to 875; dinners were up 464 to 791; refreshments went up from 1,668 to 1,987; wedding breakfasts were 200 and went down to 100; wedding teas went from 338 down to 150; desserts went from 0 up to 244; buffets also went from 0 to 385. Totals were 4,831served in June 1959 to 5,298 served in June 1960. The wedding breakfasts and wedding teas dropped off in 1960, apparently leading them to stick with just regular weddings. But there was still no alcohol allowed and limited space at that time for traditional weddings, so the other ideas were possibly workarounds tried for income.

By October 1960, attendance and catering bookings had seriously fallen off due to the limitations of the room sizes versus attendance and member count for events – the Memorial Center was seen as too small to accommodate everyone who wanted to use the facilities. Meanwhile, the legal battle trying to advance construction on William Fries’ endowment gift was being waged so they could add the larger spaces desired. The gift also had a limited time component, so Lake, the Board, and Memorial Center attorneys had serious time constraints to deal with.

In the October 1961 Board Meeting notes, the cost of the new kitchen equipment for the Fries was “not to exceed $22,188.” The new kitchen would be gas and electric as it was “too expensive to go all electric.” Anne also advised that 35% of her catering expenses were for food, 26% for help; she was 38% and 20% for December 1961.

At the first Board Meeting of the new year, January 22, 1962, Mr. Lake announced Mrs. McGinty’s retirement effective as of March 1, 1962. The Board regretfully accepted the news and started looking for her replacement immediately. At the next Board Meeting, February 19,1962, Miss Helen Blair of Nashville, Tennessee was introduced as Mrs. McGinty’s successor.

March 5, 1962, was scheduled as Anne’s retirement party, 7pm and $2.50 per plate for attendees. Organizations who had dealt with Anne were also invited to attend, hence the charge; Helen Blair prepared the dinner. The McGinty’s announced that their immediate plan was to follow the American Curling Team to Scotland, London, and Ireland for competitions, as Francis was a rabid curling fan. The $300 Anne was given as a retirement gift from the Board helped their plans. They’d then return home from the UK to Crescent Lake and some well-deserved quiet.

The House apartment was redecorated after the McGinty’s departure. At the May meeting, the Board decided to rent their former living room and one bedroom for $500 a year. Not long thereafter, John Lake moved into the remainder of the apartment, where he resided for many years.

The Fries Auditorium grand opening date had been pushed back a few times due to construction and other issues and was now scheduled for November 30, 1962. The grand opening was to be a black tie affair featuring a Spanish ballet group and seating for 450; the first 300 guests would be served in the new Crystal Ballroom, with the remainder in the House. December 2 was the actual dedication festivities for the general public to attend.

As late as November 19, Helen Blair was still submitting emergency kitchen needs lists to be approved by the Board in order to serve for the formal opening 11 days away. Reportedly, the Board were very happy with Miss Blair and she and her staff were able to pull off the two Fries’ openings without incident.

On December 16, 1962, Mrs. Marion Alger died at her winter home in Boca Grande, Florida after just attending the Fries’ grand opening. Marion was involved with 32 Lakeshore Road beginning in 1907, when she and Russell first decided to call in Charles Platt to design and build their dream house there; through Russell’s death and the DIA years; her gifting the estate to the War Memorial Association and serving on its Board; and her final work advising on the Fries Auditorium plans and witnessing its opening 55 years later. The true end of an era.

Carefree, retired McGinty’s, late 1970’s

The McGinty’s lived at their cottage in Crescent Lake for quite a time. Later, they took a little condominium around 12 Mile and Woodward in Royal Oak until Francis McGinty passed at 87 years old on October 29, 1980. His service was held at the nearby National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica before he was interred at Assumption Grotto Cemetery on Gratiot Avenue off of Mapleridge on Detroit’s east side. Sometime after Francis passed, Anne McGinty moved from their condo to The Whittier off Jefferson Avenue in Indian Village, which served as senior citizen housing at the time. She passed June 5, 1989, at 92 years and joined Francis at Assumption Grotto Cemetery.

If you’re ever in the Alger House early in the morning and catch a whiff of something wonderful wafting out of the old kitchen, you might almost wonder if Anne is back behind the big stove, happily whipping up one of her wonderful meals or a big batch of her “special” cookies.

Credits & citations: Jack Oliver’s Pointer of Interest, Grosse Pointe News (3/20/1958); interviews with the McGinty’s grandchildren; and TWM Board Meeting records

Photo credits: All photos courtesy of the McGinty’s, except as noted.

Writer’s note: None of Anne McGinty’s recipes could be found before the print deadline. If any are located in the future, they will be reprinted by TWM.

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