Elnora Gorman Daily 1918-1997

Elnora Gorman was born in Dunnigan, California on 15 July 1918 to Alice McManus Gorman and John Francis Gorman.  Her father immigrated to the U.S. from County Tyrone in about 1883 and her mother, Alice came to the U.S. from County Down in 1907. John Francis had roots in Yolo County where his widowed mother had settled with he and his siblings.

She was baptized at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Woodland, California on 15 August 1918 as Elnora Mary Gorman. Mary is a baptismal name; Elnora’s birth certificate does not contain “Mary.” In fact, it wasn’t until Elnora prepared to travel to Ireland in the mid-1970s and needed a copy of her birth certificate that she realized she had not been given a middle name.  Also, she had always celebrated her birthday on July 16; however, her birth certificate indicates July 15.

Tragically, Elnora’s mother died on 29 January 1919 during the Spanish influenza pandemic when Elnora was just 6 months old leaving she and her two sisters, Catherine Patricia (4) and Bernice Alice (3) motherless.  

Bernice, Elnora, and Catherine Gorman

Family history given to us by Elnora over the years indicated that after the death of their mother, the Gorman sisters were separated; i.e., Bernice was sent to San Francisco to live with an Aunt and Uncle and Elnora and Catherine were raised by an Aunt and Uncle in Woodland, Susie Gorman Murphy and Patrick Murphy.  

Bernice, Elnora, and Catherine Gorman

The 1920 US Census shows that Elnora, at 1 year and 7 months was living in Cacheville Township, Yolo Town, with Henry Gorman, Susie Murphy’s eldest brother, his wife, Josephine and their children, Harry J., James L., and Bernard.

By the 1930 US Census, 9-year-old Elnora was living with her widowed Aunt Susie Murphy at 729 Third Street, Woodland.

Elnora Gorman and Elwood Blickle

Elnora had told us that she and Catherine had boarded at Holy Rosary Academy, but the story goes that Elnora became sick and was not able to stay at the school. She returned to Aunt Susie and Uncle Patsy Murphy’s. Elnora had a great fondness for Aunt Susie and named me (Susan Claire Daily) after her.

Aunt Susie Gorman Murphy

Elnora graduated from Holy Rosary Academy in June 1932. She went on to Woodland High School. Although Elnora is listed in the Woodland High School Yearbook in 1933 and 1934, she does not appear in a graduating list (for 1936). Her eldest sister, Catherine joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross when Elnora was 14 or 15.

Elnora Gorman and Sister Maria Ave (Catherine Gorman)

A Woodland Democrat article in 1932, mentions that Henry and Ethel Blickle hosted Thanksgiving day to a small group of relatives. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings were served at noon. Decorations were keeping with the theme of Thanksgiving.  Those invited to be guests were Mrs. Susan Murphy, Miss Loretta Murphy, Miss Catherine Gorman and Miss Elnora Gorman, then 14.  

While working as an assistant nurse at Woodland County Hospital, Clara Clary, Elmer Daily’s mother, introduced Elnora to Elmer. They were married on 31 July 1937 at Holy Rosary. Nancy tells me that because Elmer was not Catholic, they were married in the Parish Hall. Elmer was working at Spreckels Sugar Company at the time.

During WWII, Elmer served in the Army and was away from Elnora and their son, Charlie, off and on for several years. She continued to work at the County Hospital during this time.

Elmer and Elnora Daily

Elnora and Elmer moved a lot during their early years of marriage and after Elmer’s return from his Army service. A good deal of time was spent in northern California near where Elmer’s family lived. In 1952, while living near Corning, California, the family was stricken with Polio. Elmer was paralyzed and after hospitalization and retraining by the March of Dimes, they moved to Esparto and then finally, Woodland, California. 

Elnora was a Girl Scout leader for Nancy’s troop for several years and she worked briefly for the Sanitary Dairy drive through market for a couple of years. At about 50 years old she took up watercolor with Nancy and throughout the rest of her life she painted and showed her work at various art shows, including the Pallet Club in Sacramento. She won many awards over the years.

Elnora died in Sacramento on 28 April 1997 at the age of 77.

Elnora Daily ca 1996