Kate Waas Clegg – A remembrance

Submitted by Morgan Waas
Student Reporter

July 18, 2014 10:52 a.m.

Kate Waas Clegg was a member of the Fernandina Beach community for almost a century. As her grandnephew Joseph Waas remarked, “She was a bridge between modern Fernandina and the Victorian era.” Kate was born in Fernandina on December 2, 1905, to Dr. and Mrs. William Theodore Waas. In 1924, she graduated from Fernandina High School, and later attended the Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee.

Kate Waas 2
Pictured front row left, Kate Waas Clegg with friends.
Photo courtesy of the Amelia Island Museum of History.

She returned to Fernandina and married Henry Daniel Cook. They lived in Fernandina until his death. Her second marriage to L.L. “Luke” Clegg took her to Social Circle, Georgia, where members of her family still reside today. After Luke’s death, Kate returned to Fernandina, where she finished her life in a small house on Atlantic Avenue, where she lived with her niece, Betty Jo Taylor, who still lives on the island.

Kate Waas0002
Kate pictured with her great-great niece Morgan Waas.

During her time in the house, it was host to numerous birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations with her family members living on the island. Her signature dish for these family gatherings was lemon-merengue pie, which she made perfectly every time, and Christmas dinner was often graced with quail and other delicacies, despite the age of the youngest attendee.

Despite the technological advances of the early 2000s, Kate had almost none of the amenities found in newer houses. When asked about the most important invention in technology during her lifetime, Kate answered with the rotary-dial telephone. That, along with a small television set, was the only technology in the house.

As with everyone, Kate had her quirks. Her most memorable was her reluctance to cross traffic while driving. When possible, she would take rights instead of lefts so that she didn’t have to cross. She drove a Cadillac up until her death, though her size forced her to sit on a pillow so that she could see over the dashboard.

Kate died on the way to the hospital in April of 2005, following a brief illness. She left behind numerous family members and a Persian cat named Bootsie, who survived her by almost five years. Kate Clegg’s presence may be forgotten in this town, but those who knew her will never forget her contributions.

Editor’s Note: We welcome Morgan Waas to the Fernandina Observer staff as  student reporter. For generations, Morgan’s family has lived in Fernandina. She is an upcoming Junior  at Bolles School in Jacksonville where she plays flute in the band, is  a member of the crew team, and serves on the newspaper staff. In her spare time, Morgan volunteers, reads, writes, and enjoys swimming. We thank Morgan for her contribution to the Fernandina Observer.

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Johnny Miller
Johnny Miller (@guest_20359)
9 years ago

Thanks for this. Made my day!

carol adams
carol adams (@guest_20360)
9 years ago

Very Interesting. I love knowing about people who lived in Fernandina.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
9 years ago

Morgan, a great story and one I know you wrote with a lot of wonderful memories and pride. Thanks!

Suanne Thamm
Editor
Suanne Thamm(@suanne-thamm)
9 years ago

Morgan, great job! I remember that your Aunt Kate kept a mailbox at the Old Post Office, even though she could have had mail delivered to her door. She had a spring in her step as she handled those stairs even late in life. And she was always immaculately groomed and “put together” as the Southern lady she was. Hope we see more articles from you!

Peg Weeks
Peg Weeks(@pegweeksgmail-com)
9 years ago

Beautiful article, Morgan!! Your Aunt Kate would be proud~

Charles Burns
Charles Burns(@obakucomcast-net)
9 years ago

When we were kids, in the 1950’s, we trick or treated freely all over the neighborhood. At Mrs, Cook’s house, the treat was pure sugar cane. But there was a price. In her foyer was a life-sized witch. To get the sugar cane, you had to touch the witch’s nose. We kind of knew the witch wasn’t real, but still . . . She had awakened our imaginations for her Halloween treat. The sugar cane was just extra.

Deborah Powers
Deborah Powers (@guest_20381)
9 years ago

Morgan: I loved being introduced to your aunt by Morgan Waas Clegg, Student Reporter. “Student Reporter.” What special words! I’m hoping you were as excited to see them under your name as I was for you! Congratulations!

Chris Bryan
Chris Bryan (@guest_20481)
9 years ago

Mrs. Clegg was a special lady! I always loved seeing her around town. She would be at our church every Sunday. I still comment on how she did the steps the the Methodist Church with such ease. Morgan, thank you for a wonderful article!

Valerie Sims
Valerie Sims (@guest_38916)
8 years ago

The young man in that high school graduation photo was my grandfather, William H. Sims. He was born in Fernandina in 1908. He graduated from highs chool at the age of 16 and went to UF. How neat to see that in this column.