(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

The article in The Parkersburg News on Sunday, March 16, 2025, written to celebrate United Bank’s 186th anniversary with the Shamrock tradition prompted me to share our family’s shamrock tradition.

Our tradition began in 1955. My older brother and sister attended Saint Francis Xavier School, at 9th and Julianna streets, now called Parkersburg Catholic Elementary. Catholic students were sometimes required before school to attend morning masses at Saint Xavier Church on Market Street, next door to United Bank.

It was March 17, 1955, St. Patrick’s Day; it was also our mother’s birthday.

My brother, Ferris, in the first grade then, noticed that day that the bank was giving out shamrocks to its “customers,” to everyone! So, after Mass he proceeded to the bank to get a shamrock because the bank would be closed at 3 o’clock and school would not be out in time for him to get one.

He nursed that shamrock all day long at school and presented it to our mother, for her birthday when he got home from school that day.

She was so surprised and so happy and he was so proud.

Eventually, all seven of us children (customers!) were attending Catholic school and Catholic Church downtown and my mom started receiving shamrocks from each of the children for nearly 20 years for her birthday.

Today, 70 years later, Ferris and some of my siblings still get shamrocks from the bank to place on our mother’s grave.

I also learned that many people pick up multiple shamrocks to deliver to nursing homes, hospitals, family, and friends who can’t make it to the bank to get their own. I and nearly all of my siblings are now “real” customers of United Bank and have been for many, many years; no doubt influenced from our early years and due to the bank’s shamrock generosity and service.

So, thank you United Bank, Ferris and Catholic School.

You have all served me well, the bank, the school, the Church, my brother and I’m so grateful for all.

I’m sure others have their own shamrock stories and memories.

And no, neither I, nor my siblings have ever been employees of United Bank.

Becky McCrady

Parkersburg