LULA MAYE WALSH - IRISH PERSON OF THE YEAR 2006

The evening of December 10, 2005 the IAS Christmas dinner dance became a very special occasion for me. I was deeply surprised, humbled and honored when it was announced that I had been chosen Irish Person of the Year 2006. I am following many deserving past IPY’s and I will do my best to honor wearing this special sash.

I have always been interested in family history and know that I have Scottish, German, French, English and Irish in my ancestry, especially the Scottish; as my ancestral grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and since 2002 I have been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution .

My husband Tom and I discovered the Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick through friends Austin and June McCormick. We attended many of their activities and joined shortly thereafter. It wasn’t until our daughter Kathleen competed for the Texas Rose of Tralee and won in 1986 that we became deeply involved. From then on it was going to Tralee, Ireland through the years and visiting relatives of Tom’s as he was born in Ireland.

I Served as Cultural Chairperson and was successful in bringing in some great performances. Later, my husband and I served as co-presidents of the newly named Irish American Society of Dallas.

I have worked on the IAS part of the parade many times and along the way decided there should be a St. Patrick in the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, so I embarked on making an appropriate costume and decorated floats in his honor.

As a board member of the Texas Rose of Tralee, I helped where needed, securing music, being a judge as well as Chair Judge. I became Historian for the IAS, putting together books, sorting pictures and articles. These books are featured each year at the North Texas Irish Fest where I have participated in decorating and working at the booth. One of the activities that I have enjoyed has been decorating IAS Balls as well as chairing the annual Talent Show because of my love of performance and music.

I am a native Texan born in Amarillo to Earl M. & Verdie V Cummings . Following High School, I attended Junior College and then on to University of Oklahoma majoring in voice. Eventually as a secretary at Pantex Atomic Energy Plant, I met and fell in love with the then Capt. Thomas F. Walsh. We were married and began traveling the world, to the East Coast, Germany, Chicago, Istanbul, Turkey, Ft. Dix, N.J., Later, returning to Amarillo to be with my parents while Tom was sent to Vietnam.

When Tom retired in 1970, he opted for a job in Dallas where we have been for over 34 years and don’t plan to move, God Willing. We have five children, Tommy, Mellanie, Michael, Tina, Kathleen, son-in-law Donald Stoll; four grandchildren, Layla, Austin, Brendan, & Elena, and two great grandchildren, Logan and Caleb.

I have performed with the Chicago, Ft. Dix, Dallas Catholic, Dallas Symphony and the Temple Emanual Chorus where I learned to sing in Hebrew. We traveled to Israel in 1985, singing at various places. My hobbies include gardening, sewing, crafts and music. I have been involved with several community, church and Military affairs in many different capacities.

Due to Tom’s heart surgery, I have not been as active in recent years but have tried to stay current with Irish American activities. We have been so grateful for the support our neighbors, friends and especially the IAS have given us. You realize how great an Association it is during such times and for all these reasons, especially for the many happy memories and I want to thank all those who selected me as Irish Person of the Year. I will cherish this for years.