Tweet
Nice story in today's Journal:
Queen Fish: Millie Malawey and the St. Ferdinand Parish fish fry
By Brian Flinchpaugh
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:42 AM CST
It was 2:45 p.m. Friday, and the parking lot at St. Ferdinand Parish in Florissant was filling up.
Opening the cafeteria door, the sights and smells of fresh cod, steaming tables of spaghetti with a bright red tomato sauce, coleslaw and hot apples washed over the senses.
St. Ferdinand's Lenten fish fry is an institution in North County.And at 85, Millie Malawey of Florissant is as much a part of that institution as anyone.
"I've been here for 46 years, but it's more than that, really," said Malawey, scooping slaw into containers. "It might be around 50."
She's been a member of the parish for 52 years.
"I love it," said Malawey, as she served customers.
There were lots of "hellos" and greetings. It was a another chance to see old friends and acquaintances.
All the years of service have earned her an affectionate nickname.
"We call her 'Queen Fish,'" said Joanie Snider, who was supervising the serving lines last week.
Malawey was there in the beginning, when the weekly fish fry was held at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.
She remembers when the fish fry moved to the then-new St. Ferdinand parish on Charbonier Road around 1957. The cooking then was done in a Quonset hut.
There's one thing that hasn't changed about the St. Ferdinand fish fry - it's busy.
Snider said she couldn't say how many meals the parish typically sells on a Friday night.
"We go through about 1,700 pounds of fish," she said.
By 3 p.m., two lines already had formed in the back of the room.
"We're just now open," Snider said. "Here, pretty quick, we're going to have three lines."
Malawey more than holds her own at her station, said Scarlett Longdon, 14, dishing out spaghetti nearby.
But this hasn't been the only volunteer work Malawey has done for the church.
"I'm busy all the time," she said. "I'm still active in church."
Like many mothers, Malawey did her stint as a room mother, working at parish events or handing out fish. It was expected.
"Father used to tell you it was your turn," she said. "He said one time to me, 'And don't bring any babies with you.'
"I had all these babies," Malawey said. "I had eight."
Five of them were in the parish grade school at the time.
And now she has 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Edwin, passed away a few years ago.
Has much changed over the years? Children she served years ago now introduce themselves as adults, she said.
Some of the adults don't need an introduction, however.
Malawey placed a container of coleslaw on one customer's plate. The customer smiled and said goodbye to his mom.
"She's been doing this since I was in grade school," said Larry Malawey, getting ready to checkout. "And that's 50 years ago."
Queen Fish: Millie Malawey and the St. Ferdinand Parish fish fry
| |
By Brian Flinchpaugh
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:42 AM CST
It was 2:45 p.m. Friday, and the parking lot at St. Ferdinand Parish in Florissant was filling up.
Opening the cafeteria door, the sights and smells of fresh cod, steaming tables of spaghetti with a bright red tomato sauce, coleslaw and hot apples washed over the senses.
St. Ferdinand's Lenten fish fry is an institution in North County.And at 85, Millie Malawey of Florissant is as much a part of that institution as anyone.
"I've been here for 46 years, but it's more than that, really," said Malawey, scooping slaw into containers. "It might be around 50."
She's been a member of the parish for 52 years.
"I love it," said Malawey, as she served customers.
There were lots of "hellos" and greetings. It was a another chance to see old friends and acquaintances.
All the years of service have earned her an affectionate nickname.
"We call her 'Queen Fish,'" said Joanie Snider, who was supervising the serving lines last week.
Malawey was there in the beginning, when the weekly fish fry was held at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.
She remembers when the fish fry moved to the then-new St. Ferdinand parish on Charbonier Road around 1957. The cooking then was done in a Quonset hut.
There's one thing that hasn't changed about the St. Ferdinand fish fry - it's busy.
Snider said she couldn't say how many meals the parish typically sells on a Friday night.
"We go through about 1,700 pounds of fish," she said.
By 3 p.m., two lines already had formed in the back of the room.
"We're just now open," Snider said. "Here, pretty quick, we're going to have three lines."
Malawey more than holds her own at her station, said Scarlett Longdon, 14, dishing out spaghetti nearby.
But this hasn't been the only volunteer work Malawey has done for the church.
"I'm busy all the time," she said. "I'm still active in church."
Like many mothers, Malawey did her stint as a room mother, working at parish events or handing out fish. It was expected.
"Father used to tell you it was your turn," she said. "He said one time to me, 'And don't bring any babies with you.'
"I had all these babies," Malawey said. "I had eight."
Five of them were in the parish grade school at the time.
And now she has 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Edwin, passed away a few years ago.
Has much changed over the years? Children she served years ago now introduce themselves as adults, she said.
Some of the adults don't need an introduction, however.
Malawey placed a container of coleslaw on one customer's plate. The customer smiled and said goodbye to his mom.
"She's been doing this since I was in grade school," said Larry Malawey, getting ready to checkout. "And that's 50 years ago."
Comment