‘We All Went into Church to Pray for JFK,’ ‘My Mom Was So Upset, She Went Into Labor!’

Those who lived through it say they remember—and still feel—the emotion of the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963. Friday marks the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death and Patch readers shared their memories and thoughts on Facebook pages across Maryland.

“I believe everyone old enough remembers exactly where they were and how they found out that President Kennedy was assassinated,” wrote Janet Barksdale Ricks on Odenton-Severn Patch’s Facebook page. “I know it was a day I will never forget as long as I live, just like 9/11.”

“I was born several hours later … my mom was so upset, she went into labor!” wrote Joanne Cavallio Fischer on Perry Hall Patch’s Facebook page.

“I was 4. My most vivid memory was that I was mad because his funeral preempted my Popeye cartoons,” wrote Sara Weakley Kirkpatrick on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page. “My mother explained that someone important had died. I could tell she was sad.”

Two readers commented on Dundalk Patch’s Facebook page that they were both in school at Sacred Heart of Mary in Baltimore on the day of the assassination.

“The whole school was in the school annex watching a movie ...all of a sudden the lights came on and the nuns announced what had happened,” wrote Dave Leoni. “We all went home then I remember standing on my front porch seeing others in the neighborhood standing on their front porch.”

Sheila Casagrande Krause wrote, “I went to SHM as well and remember being in the annex at the movie and being sent home mid way. Will never forget.”

Others also remember being in school on that tragic day.

“I was in fifth grade at Incarnation Grammar School in Sarasota, FL,” wrote Pat McCartin Sibiski on Perry Hall Patch’s Facebook page. “The principal made an announcement and we all went into church to pray for JFK.”

“I was at Stoneleigh Elementary getting ready for what was then called a Grade Wide Test - we were sent home,” wrote Lynette Starleper on Towson Patch’s Facebook page. “I remember that day and the days that followed like it was yesterday. I was only 10 years old but I knew that life as I knew it would never be the same again.”

“I was 4 and remember driving with my mom to pick up my sister from school because schools in Florida had closed early. This was the same response the schools here had on 9/11,” wrote Katherine Taylor on Elkridge Patch’s Facebook page.

“I was walking home from school in NYC and my path home went past a neighborhood bar. The doors were open, TVs were on and they were loud, and everyone was talking and crying,” wrote Maria Stahl wrote on Columbia Patch’s Facebook page. “One of the adults there explained to the kids walking by what had happened. I was too young to really grasp it all, but was sure it was something horrible that had made everyone so sad. It was surreal.”

“I was sitting in my ninth grade science class at Canton 230 school when the office sent notice out to each classroom that President Kennedy had been shot and killed, wrote Nan McLaughlin Quinn on Perry Hall Patch’s Facebook page. “I was also watching the newscast when Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald.”

Many recall seeing the news reports and watching the historic events unfold on television.

“I was 15 living in England,” wrote Vicki Roe Kiser on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page. “The reports and scenes on the TV upset me so much that to this day I can't watch anything about it.”

“I was watching it on a black and white TV in school with my class. What a shock for a kid!” wrote Kathy Watson on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page.

“Everything shown in the news today we witnessed then … on that frightening day,” wrote Yoyolynn Di on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page. “We watched the funeral procession and cried. What was happening to our country? That was the question on everyone's mind. Nothing has ever been the same … nor will it be.”

“Despite JFK's faults, that was when patriotism and respect for our government prevailed!” wrote Mindy Cherches Nelson on Anne Arundel Patch’s Facebook page.

“I was only 6 when the President was assassinated, to this day I remember how quiet it was around me except for the tears adults shed,” Lynda Assur wrote on Annapolis Patch’s Facebook page. “Kennedy brought hope to many and his murder was devastating to America.”

“Our parents took us to Arlington for the funeral,” wrote Jeanne Frye Williams on Crofton Patch’s Facebook page.

“A president was murdered and our nation is not over it still to this day and lots of conspiracy factors are still in the air,” Gina Cook wrote on Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch’s Facebook page.

“It was the end of innocence and the end of Americans’ trust in their government,” wrote Victoria Corkran on Bel Air Patch’s Facebook page.