Madison residents recall a Hallmark Christmas

By Kathy Feist

On Nov 26, former Hallmark residents–and Hallmark ornament aficionados– at Madison Senior Living, 14000 Madison Rd., gathered to enjoy a presentation “A Story on Hallmark Cards” by Maria Bramwell of Uncorked and Decanted. Bramwell recalled interesting tidbits and well known stories associated with Hallmark founder Joyce Hall throughout his career. Interestingly, his son, Hallmark CEO Don Hall, Sr., passed away the previous month.

Madison resident Thelma Barker, age 90, shared a collection of nearly 50 Hallmark ornaments that were on display during the presentation. The ornaments were sent from the Hall family to Hallmark employees during the Christmas season. Thelma’s husband Dudley, now deceased, spent 43 years working at Hallmark before retiring. The flat ornaments easily fit in personalized Christmas cards from Don Hall, Sr. The tradition began in 1974, a year after Hallmark started its line of Keepsake Ornaments.

Thelma met Dudley in the manufacturing department while also working at Hallmark. Soon after they married, she left her job to start a family. She was not alone. Several women in the audience shared the same experience. One male resident worked his entire career as an accountant with Hallmark, starting in the early 50s.