Mae Gaston

Biography

"Mae Gaston's journey began as the daughter of Grace Roberts, hailing from Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire, Wales, and Edmund Warrener, a London native. The family embarked on a new life in America, settling in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1884. Three of Mae's siblings—Jane, Nancy, and Robert—were born in Wales, with Mae herself entering the world at their 6 Wilbur Court residence. By 1889, the family had moved to Illinois, where two more siblings, Margaret and Edmund, were born. Tragedy struck in 1897 when her mother, Grace, died in childbirth. By 1900, her father had remarried Sarah Jane \"Jennie\" Saunders from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with only young Edmund remaining at home. Her career blossomed on screen, where Mae Gaston graced over 40 film titles, frequently taking on leading lady roles opposite the notable Francis Ford. A vivid snapshot of her cinematic prominence appeared in the Boston Herald on Sunday, October 24, 1920, describing \"Filmland City\" on the Fellsway in Medford, Massachusetts. This bustling movie town had recently served as the backdrop for eight episodes of the popular \"Nick Carter\" series, with Mae shining as the leading lady opposite star Tom Carrigan. Mae's personal life began with her marriage to Fred Curtis Aldrich on March 24, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois. The couple welcomed two children, Edmund and Ardelle. However, Mae subsequently abandoned her husband and children. Decades later, in December 2013, Fred married Estelle Hendricks, and together they raised Mae's children. Her second marital venture saw her wed Harold Hoover Baker, a 30-year-old bond broker. For this union, Mae meticulously crafted a new identity, misrepresenting her age as 32 while in reality being a 43-year-old divorcee living in Beverly Hills. Crucially, she omitted any mention of her past marriage or the children she had left behind. By 1940, Mae and Harold had established a modest life in Compton, California, residing for at least five years at 17104 Figueroa. Their home, valued at $2,500, was among the less expensive properties in the area. Harold worked as an operator on a poultry ranch, while Mae embraced the role of a housewife. Mae Gaston passed away on May 27, 1965, in Sonoma, California."