Cathy

Michael, thank you very much, I am having a hard time understanding the words most of you use. I did go to school, but I've spent most of my life raising children. I can tell, I am just not as smart as everyone on here. I am not use to computers or these sites, plus with everything else I'm hearing about my memories can not be tract down...I feel frustrated and angry because these were the only good memories I have during that period of my life. I just read that they went to Oregon in 63...I wonder if that was the year she came to my mother's house and taught us the Russian prayer???? Michael, so you know now I am who I say I am...right? When I first went onto SOLO, I just hurriedly read through some of what Branden wrote, and I thought it was her that said all those mean things about Uncle Frank. I wanted to protect him, because I remember the most gentle, warm, caring, kind man I've every known to this day. There is a lot I'm finding out that hurts me terribly, and I don't think I'm going to read anything yet until I get my feeling straight on what I know so far. Thank you Michael for all your patients with me ~Cathy~

tmj...you tell me...I keep asking myself the same thing!

tmj...yep, I agree! Really, what kind of a family does this???? ~Cathy~

Thank you Brant, I still think you and a few other people are the very few. lol...I thought for years I had my life straightened out...looks like I was wrong. But you are right, anything I learned from being in my father's home was to be tough in many ways. Somebody said, I might have a lot of time on my hands...I go to work everyday, I have the youngest out of six children left at home and I have thirteen grandchild...a lot of time on my hands really??? I think I'm doing this because subconsciously, it maybe some kind of therapy for me in some odd way. But thank you again!

Neil, when My Aunt Agnes was telling me about Uncle Nick, Uncle Frank, and Aunt Alice, she was really telling me about Nick. She said Nick would write things down and they would be beautiful poems and things like that. Her input to me was about Frank and Nick, how they Helped Aunt Alice when she came into this country. She was telling me of when they first meet. How scared Aunt Alice was coming to a different country, and her English wasn't good. When I said what my Aunt had said over writing for days...I didn't know she was an author...duh! When they would stand back and watch her fly (Aunt Agnes's words) meant to me(at that time) was Aunt Alice was learning fast and becoming more secure in a different country. It wasn't until I learned that she was really Ayn Rand did I realize that she might be talking about them writing books. That's why I said Uncle Frank had helped Aunt Alice in her writings because they did that from the beginning. And yes she did need confidence in her life at the time. Even my dad in there argument said Uncle Frank gave her, her backbone. It was important for her to tell us about everyone of them, even Uncle Joe. Maybe she knew one day all this would come out, and me and my sister being the last of the family, she was preparing us for it. Uncle Nick wrote to. The thing I'm not clear on is Uncle Nick...I "think" my Aunt told me that Uncle Nick who is really Harry got his nickname in the service of Nick Carter. Can anybody tell me if I am remembering this right? Neil, if you know this Barbra person...why don't you ask her why she didn't mention us, You must know by know that we are their nieces. If she knew "Ayn" as well as she claimed to, then she has to know about me and Conny. That should solve everything, I would like to know to. BTW, how did you find out I was telling the truth on who I was...maybe you can find out that same way on my memories. ~Crazy Cathy~

One time I was in a car accident and was knocked out. When the paramedic asked me my phone number all I could say was 55555. He ask me who the president was and I said I don't know. He asked if I was married and I said I think so. Not until they put an oxygen mask on me and I was breathing it in, my mind was like a switch board, bing, bing, bing, and every bing was a light of memory, until it all became crystal clear again...1000's of bings. That's the way I feel now with remembering again about my father and my past. I did an excellent job of forgetting it all, and at times years ago when it would try to slip back into my memory I would push it away. After we were placed in foster care, every time I would think of my father's home I would have sever anxiety attacks, the longer I would think of my father's home, the anxiety attracts turn into panic attracts and I would hyperventilate. So I taught myself never to think of that time. I started digging into this for my children, and at first it was easy for me because my first memory was of Aunt Agnes. I would sit and talk to my kids about her, then more memories would come up, and more and more...and I was happy about this. More memories came to me about Aunt Alice and Frank, and about the family stories my Aunt Agnes told us. Those were all good memories for me. When I found out that Aunt Alice was really Ayn Rand, I felt abused again, and then came the bad memories...the more I heard about Aunt Alice saying she was an Atheist since she was 10,My uncle since he was nine, all the things you all our telling me...my whole life has been a lie. Then I find out that Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank had this wonderful life, and all the while knew what was happening to us. At least when my Aunt Agnes wrote that letter to my father, she really did have a stroke. But what is Aunt Alice and Uncle Franks excuse for not helping us? Yes, I thought both my aunts and my uncle loved us...and they were the only ones who did at that time. Now I'm learning through you all that she was an out spoken activist. Why couldn't she be that for us???? So you tell me, which is it, did she love us or not? Maybe she only loved herself! So instead of scrutinizing everything I write, maybe you should be scrutinizing "Ayn". I wonder, did Barbara have to pin point the times of calls she had with Ayn everyday? Did she have to prove her memories? First of all none of you believed who I was, now your tearing apart all my memories. Why not instead, put your feet in my shoes...how would you all feel defending who you are, then defending the only good memories you have. Maybe I should be scrutinizing you. Neil you said Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank didn't visit Ohio. Then you said they came to Cleveland And visited with Aunt Agnes and Connie Papurt. Look on a map and see how far Cleveland is from Elyria, where my father lived...it may surprise you. I could tell you so much more, but you wouldn't believe me anyway. ~Cathy~

Stephen, My Aunt Agnes was our protector. When she was there my step mother didn't do half the things to us then when she wasn't. It was the only time in our time spent in my father's house that we found some sort of peace. All of this did bring back good memories, but then the ugly slipped in and now I am reminded of why I chose not to remember any of it. I guess you can't have the good without the bad, unfortunately. As I look back on things now, I think Aunt Alice and Aunt Agnes drew on our backs to see how bad the bruises were. I never thought of that before this. But while my children were growing up, I drew on their backs also...but I never lifted their shirts up like my aunts did us. The night before my Aunt left, there was a huge argument between my step mother and aunt. Of course my father said very little. My sister and I were ease dropping again, and it was the worst argument I had ever witnessed (heard) I thought it was going to come to a knock out drag out fist fight. Believe it or not, I was very happy. All through the argument me and my sister was smiling at each other. I wanted my aunt to beat the shit out of my step mother and was disappointed when that didn't happen. The next morning when my aunt had left, we knew my father would never let her back in the door or any other relative, because now the cat was out of the bag. For the first time we were on our own without any relatives to visit to give us moments of happiness. We began to run away from home...there was nothing left. Of course the police would always bring us back, until finally my father dropped us off at the detention home. I just found out that Aunt Agnes died in 1983, and I had all those years to go find her and never did...I will always regret that. ~Cathy~

Neil, I never said the conversation about the affair that Uncle Frank and Aunt Alice were present. They were not there. It was between Aunt Agnes and my father. I believe it was in 70/71, and the only reason I think it was those years because of our age. I don't know if I would have had the understanding of it all if I was younger...but I could have been eleven. Or that could have been when my Aunt Agnes told my father...after it was over...which could make sense since my dad was very sick at the time. I have to laugh Neil...the biography will cover her entire life...what did the other ones cover? These biographies only cover what the writer wants it to cover. Barbra Branden only wanted to cover the shocking affair, and how lazy, unintelligent Frank was. Why don't they cover the real story, how a family knew of children being abused, starved, and placed in scolding hot bath water, yet your "great Philosopher of the century" turned a blind eye and deaf ear to live her glamorous life! That's the true story!

Mr Jerry, It is early in the morning and I haven't had my coffee yet and I wake up to this...lovely! I heard in the biographies that MiMi was mention, but yet Aunt Agnes wasn't. How did MiMi have a relationship with them with out her mother? How many biographies are there??? And how many do you need to get it right??? My aunt Agnes was the glue that held this family together, she played a very important role in our family...but yet not mentioned. My Aunt Agnes moved to shaker heights Cleveland Ohio from Chicago when we were young and remained there. All of the family were born and lived in Ohio, And your biography is saying they never visited Ohio in all those years or their family? Not to mention their only family! But yet mentioned MiMi, who was born and raised in Ohio. I couldn't tell you why all this was left out...or maybe just another family secret...which I am finding out there is a long line of them. I am fifty five years old and going back over thirty years of my life that I pushed out of my mind and soul at thirteen. Granted...I maybe off by a few years in my memory...but I don't think so. So since you seem to know more about my family than I do, please tell me who is Aunt Alice, Uncle Frank, Aunt Agnes, John (Bill) O'Connor and most importantly who is Conny and Cathy O'Connor. Because if they never had family (biography) or visited that family and none of us existed...then please tell me all those years were nothing but a nightmare, Really, I would be happy to know it all was a bad dream. ~Cathy~ (or whoever I am)

thank you daunce. I guess I should have told everyone...my dad went by Bill. Very few would go by their real names. Frank's real name was Charles, MiMi was Muriam, marna was Dockey Harry's was Nick and so on. But all this has made me tired. Good night daunce...and thanks again.

I have not been part of the O'Connor's since I was 13. I never looked back...until six months ago. I guess I'M ashamed of Frank letting that affair go on, just like I'm ashamed of my father, for letting his wife do to us what she did. But I guess it all comes down to, I'm just like them. I didn't say anything all these years, I didn't try to find any of them...its been me and my sister always. If I didn't love my children so much, the O'Connor's wouldn't have even been a memory.

Thank you daunce, I appreciate what your what your saying.

Neil, In the O'Connor family...what is said in family and at home, stays in the family and at home. If I was taught to "tell" I would have went to school and told of our step mother beating us! Or showed them the marks and bruises on our bodies! Or how she starved us for 2 weeks...as my father sat quietly by...the O'Connor's ARE the BEST KEPT SECRET! Why do you think all the O'Connor's had a falling out from...all of this! Then I'm told what a wonderful life Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank had...when they knew what was happening to us! It was my Aunt Agnes that started the whole war sticking up for us. I got up one morning to get ready for school. I looked for Aunt Agnes but she was gone. There was a note on the table from her and it read...Bill, I have been up all night with a nose bleed, I am afraid I am going to have a stroke. I can't believe how you would let your wife treat your girls they way they have been treated, especially how we grew up. Grow some balls, your a yellow coward. We never seen Aunt Agnes again. So what you read isn't what you get...I live it...I didn't read about it!

Neil, I don't care what you think! She taught us a prayer in Russian...not that it matters much now because she was an Atheist since she was 10!I was a little girl...this was the first time I had ever known anything in another language and would recite it for all my friends to hear! You just don't get it Neil...I am an O'Connor but not proud of it! The O'Connor family is full of lies, secrets, atheism. adultery, and abortions...yeah, that makes me very proud to be one!

Yes I do. I am not good with computers. I didn't think of the birth certificate being use. Yes I will do a you tube... how?

Brant, I didn't know about the affair till 70/71. I read today that the affair went on for a few years...I didn't know that, I thought only a few months. Also I learned today Aunt Alice being Atheist since she was 10. I am just so overwhelmed by it all. Sadly, the specialness of Aunt Alice teaching us the Russian prayer isn't there anymore. Jonathon, Yes I heard they were Atheist (at least Aunt Alice was) through the conversation in 70/71. Uncle Frank was raised just as Catholic as I was...he did believe in God, I don't know what made him change his beliefs. I knew he painted, he said it was his hobby, but never painted when he visited. I don't have any of his paintings. I mostly remember the magic tricks. He did magic a lot. ~Cathy~

She never told us she was an Atheist...maybe out of respect of my father. But what's one more secret. My Aunt told us what an Atheist was (Agnes). The only reason she did was through the heated conversation of the affair my dad said that what does Frank expect from a damn Atheist. I didn't know what the word meant and later I asked Aunt Agnes. She said it was someone who didn't believe in God...and I was horrified. Aunt Agnes told me that they were not always that way, and that is not like they don't believe in God, they just don't believe in something they can't see.

Sorry this conversation would have happened in 70/71, we were 12/13 years old.

My sister and I were talking and neither one of us remember Uncle Frank coming to my mother's house in Media with Aunt Alice...this doesn't mean he didn't' we just don't remember him there. The reason that visit she made is so clear to us, is because she taught us a Russian prayer. I know I told Neil 64/65, but it could have been 63. I know we moved out to Arizona in 66 and it was much earlier than that. We were 5 or 6 at the time of that visit. I know all of you think she was Atheist, but at one time neither one were. We remember the prayer somewhat, or should I say we remember her teaching it to us. If she was an Atheist then she didn't tell us. The only reason they said they were an Atheist is because they didn't believe in something they couldn't see...according to Aunt Agnes. I also read the passages on this page I believe of Branden's accounts of my uncle excepting of the affair...I find that very hard to believe. Not after hearing my dad and Aunt Agnes heated conversation about it. If Aunt Alice told Brandon that, then that was Aunt Alice's wishful thinking...surly not Uncle Frank's and if it was I am shocked! Maybe Aunt Alice talked to him about it, and he may not have said anything, and to her that may have meant he was ok with it. But really I don't think he was. I was 12/13 years old when this conversation happened, and the tension in the house was thick. I always loved for my Aunt Agnes to visit, so this visit stands out vividly to me. If Uncle Frank would have been ok with the affair, my father would have told my Aunt it was their business. But my dad was angry, and the only way that could happen is if his brother was hurting. I don't know when the affair happened, and I don't know if my family knew right away, but this conversation would have happened in 69/70. When I said my father would call them several times a month, I meant his family, Aunt Agnes and Uncle Frank. My dad didn't care for Aunt Alice to well...he wouldn't have called her. As far as MiMI (Muriam) Im sure she was close to Aunt Alice, Aunt Agnes is the one that would travel to all the families homes and I'm sure MiMi went often with her.. Can anyone tell me if MiMi knew Alice by Ayn. And if she did, did she know all her life? All my cousin's were born way before me and my sister were. I have one O'Connor cousin left who is Aunt Bess's son. He was a twin also. He became an attorney and is well up into his seventies. Really, all I knew was Aunt Alice wrote books. No one ever told me that she published them, or was so controversial. It just blows my mind that I never knew. Also I can't believe how popular she still is today. I am still getting use to the idea that Ayn Rand this woman I don't know is Aunt Alice. to all who wants to know...I will upload my birth certificat tonight and put it up. My husband has the camera in is car or I would do it now. I hope that will help.

Neil, if you need to know anything else I will be back on tonight...I have to go to work. ~Cathy~

AS far as I can remember the last time I recall seeing them would have been in 68/69. My father was pretty sick with cancer by then...and I don't think (not for sure) that he wanted anyone to see him like that. But my Aunt Agnes was around...until the falling out. I remember they always came in the winter...or colder months...if that helps. I don't know if they came in on their way to somewhere else or not. It was always a whirl wind when the would come, and they never stayed over night, except for Aunt Agnes. Aunt Alice also came to my mother's house, either in 64/65...in Media Ohio.

Hello everyone, I can understand how you feel. I wish there was something I could do to prove to you who I am. Would you except a picture of my birth certificate? I will try to get it on later tonight. I am not into Objectivism...sorry, I am really trying to find out information about them in their later years. I would like to know about Uncle Frank, people have emailed me when they saw Find A Grave, and referred to him as "the long suffering Frank". That is not how I remember him. I have ordered some of Alice's books. Sorry for calling her that, but that is what I am use to, and I never knew her by Ayn. The problem with reading about them, is books are very black and white...I really would like to know from people who personally was around them the years I missed. Leonard Peikoff is no help, he might be skeptical to...he probably thought we were dead since there wasn't any news about us all this time. But I know he knows about us, I am sure he meet my Aunt Agnes and he may have even meet us. Does he come on here? Where all of you know Ayn Rand and Frank, I knew Alice and Frank. Right now I don't want to know Ayn Rand and her views...maybe later. I remember Uncle Frank being so patient and kind. He would do magic tricks for us, I really thought it was magic to. I grew up remembering some of those tricks and it took me a while to figure out how he did them...lol I realized how really simple they were...but only when I was older. Uncle Frank took everything with a grain of salt, where Aunt Alice was more cynical of things. If she would ask me if I did my homework and I said yes, she would give me the eye...as to say, did you really??? Uncle Frank would just say, ok, and shake is head yes. I know it was said that people my age doesn't still say aunt and uncle...I do, for all of my aunts and uncles. My children was also raised to be respectful and call Conny Aunt Conny. My oldest is 35 years old and still calls Conny Aunt Conny...and he always will...that's the way my sister and I both raised our children. I also read that I mixed BS in with my perceptions of growing up around my aunt and uncle. I do not BS! These are my memories as I recall them. I am going back over 30 years on memory that I pushed aside a long time ago, and haven't thought about until 6 months ago. One good thing out of peoples skepticism of me, has made me remember so much more...and I want to thank you all for being my skeptics, because I never realized how much I really did love them and how much I truly miss them. ~Cathy~

I am Cathy O'Connor Dupler, the niece of Frank O'Connor and Ayn Rand. Instead of you running over to Solo and reading my posts, I decided to make it easier for you and came here. MiMi Sutton is really Muriam Papert, the daughter of my Aunt Agnes, my first cousin. Aunt Agnes had another daughter named Connor, Connie for short. She named her Connor because she was suppose to be the last of the O'Connor's until we came along. My twin's sister's name is conny, spelled with a "y" so it was unlike Connie Papurt. She was named Conny because we ARE the last of the O'Connor's...I wasn't expected to live at birth. Everyone with their "rader" on and beeping away...weather you believe me or not, I am who I am.