"Betty Jean" Kirby

[eurekastar]

While I was visiting family in my hometown last week, I picked up a lot of vintage Kirby items. I posted about those things earlier. This morning I was looking over the D50 I picked up, and I noticed a tag on the motor housing which read "Betty Bewley -- April 7, 1980". I noticed tags like that on handle forks and other items I received from that vac store. I guess the owner would make note of the date received and from whom.

But when I read "Betty Bewley", I was a little taken aback. She was the Mom of one of my childhood friends. They lived just around the corner from me, and I spent a lot of time in their home. There are two things I remember about Mrs. Bewley: 1) She always had a platinum blond bouffant hairdo; and 2) She was a chain smoker (and the vacuum still smells of cigarette smoke after 30 years!).

Sadly, Mrs. Bewley disappeared without a trace about 15 years ago and to this day, she's never been found. It's one of the great mysteries of my hometown. So I've named my newly acquired D50 "Betty Jean". I was planning on my 4C to be the next restoration. But I think I'll put "Betty Jean" next in line.

 

[eurekastar]

When I was laundering the bag this afternoon, I wondered if I'd ever seen this vacuum when I was in the Bewley's home. If I did, I would have never thought much about it back then. Betty Jean's bag has some worn spots in the usual places. But with a little patching and minor sewing, I think it will be just fine.

 

[kenmore81]

Ineresting story Bill, Is funny how the world works. I mean what are the odds of someone finding a vacuum (or other item) to later find out it belonged to someone you knew years ago. Usually household items would have just been tossed, especially with some of these thrift shops if they see something old or odd theyd rather toss it than see it go to good use. Enjoy BettyJean!
Ken