Christine Hesse Papers

Christine Hesse was born February 27, 1921, on Maple Avenue in West Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hesse. Her father had served in World War I and had a medical degree but apparently never passed the state license exam. She had one sister, Dorothy, who married but had no children. The family apparently was flooded out in the 1937 flood and subsequently moved to Bells Lane.

She was educated at Western Junior High School and then Shawnee High School. At Shawnee, Christine worked on the school newspaper, The Lantern, as reporter and assistant news editor and graduated in February 1939. She wanted to become a newspaper reporter, but her family could not afford to send her to college. Christine joined Dun & Bradstreet as secretary and worked her way up to researcher before retiring with forty-five years of service.

Hesse attended church at the 23rd and Broadway Baptist Church. When that church dissolved, she became a member of the Chapel Park Baptist Church. Her church activities included teaching Sunday School, teaching mission groups, and serving as church librarian.

Her community activities encompassed membership in the Republican Women's Association, the American Business Women's Association, the American Bell Association, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She served in leadership positions in each of, these associations. Hesse served as secretary of her chapter of the Eastern Star for forty-two years.

Hesse's hobbies included writing poetry and articles for publication in the Dun & Bradstreet Journal, the International Bell Association magazine and various church publications. She enjoyed all types of crafts, and was fond of gardening. Apparently the nightblooming iris of her iris collection was her particular favorite. Her bell collection exceeded seven hundred bells.

Christine never married, although the World War II correspondence reveals at least two quite interested suitors. Her mother, apparently a very dominating personality, cut off contact with boyfriends when things became serious. After her father's death, Christine cared for her mother and an aunt. After they died, another aunt moved in who required continuing care from Christine. In her last years, Christine was cared for by nieces Irga Schuwey and Ira Bell Weigel. Hesse died at Jewish Hospital, Louisville, in November 1995.