Mother's Day Essay: Ruth 'Scotty' O'Neil

By Nancy O'Neil Cook

My mother believed that music was her life.

While I believe she was a very talented pianist and shared her gift with many in her lifetime, I think more remember her for her community activism on behalf of her beloved Dundalk.

Mom studied the classics, but she played mostly ragtime on the piano. She played piano for the Grace Bedell Dance Studio, cancer benefit shows and senior centers, just to mention a few.

But she was a star on St. Patrick's Day at McMahon's and Minnick's restaurants. On that day Bob Weal often supported her on the gutbucket, Ed Weal on either drums or washboard, Nancy Dietrich on banjo, Linda Smith on guitar, and me on banjo ukulele.

My favorite statement she always said was, "If you can hum it, I can play it!" She had a remarkable ear for music and also sang a great alto with her girlfriends, Ginny Weal and Ginny Collier and with the Weal Brothers—Az, Ed and Bob.

I still miss their harmony with barbershop music and those old songs.

While Mom worked for Baltimore County Public Schools for 29 years and played piano, she also worked tirelessly for Dundalk politicians, Dundalk Concert Association, Dundalk Heritage Park events and yet still found time to raise me and care for my father, grandfather, and grandmothers due to illness.

I'm proud of my heritage and have often used these two messages she taught me: "Live, Work and Shop Dundalk" and "WE always had to fight for everything we got and then to keep it!"

But I think the greatest lesson taught by Mom was a love of people—ALL people!

Mom was loved by many, but surely blessed me so that I can honestly say I have followed the road less travelled and still receive her blessings this day.

Sports were another important part of our family life. My parents had Baltimore Colts’ season tickets and I was able to attend a few games each season.

My grandmother, Olga O'Neil, loved the Baltimore Orioles and I lovingly recall her sitting with a transistor radio to her ear at family gatherings or in front of a TV. She never missed a game that I know of during her 94 years of life.

But I think the greatest lesson taught by Mom was a love of people —ALL people!

Mom was loved by many, but surely blessed me so that I can honestly say I have followed the road less travelled and still receive her blessings this day.

Retired now from Baltimore County Public Schools myself, I just initiated a grassroots campaign called “Orange Wednesdays - Baltimore Orioles” to support the O's by wearing orange on Wednesdays.

When the Dundalk Patch released the article on April 25 and ABC2 News interviewed me for a spot on the news later that same day, I thought it was no coincidence the news was released on what would have been Mom's 90th birthday!

Thank you Mom for sharing all your love, teachings and blessings with me. I am honored and yet humbled to plant my seeds too.