Title: Spooked: The Blue Lady
Host: Glynn Washington
Release Date: November 8, 2024

Introduction

In the Spooked episode titled "The Blue Lady," host Glynn Washington delves into the haunting experiences of Emma Louise Tully and her family with Sharon Rectory, a centuries-old manor nestled in the Irish countryside. This detailed narrative explores the intersection of family dynamics, historical tragedies, and supernatural encounters, offering listeners a chilling yet engaging true-life story.

Emma's Early Life and Family Struggles

Transcript Reference: 17:03 – 03:57

Emma Louise Tully recounts her tumultuous childhood spent in a cramped trailer within the Northern Michigan woods. The oppressive home environment, marked by her parents' anger and sadness, drove young Emma to seek solace in the surrounding forests. She describes:

"I know them because it's better outside freezing than it's an easy nine-year-old target inside." (00:05)

These prolonged hours in the cold, solitary woods planted the seeds for her later encounters with the supernatural.

The Move to Sharon Rectory

Transcript Reference: 17:03 – 26:57

At the age of six, Emma and her family purchase Sharon Rectory, a dilapidated 200-plus-year-old manor in the Irish countryside. The imposing stone structure, enveloped by dense woodland, immediately evokes a sense of foreboding for Emma:

"I just could never see it to be a home, a forever home for me and my family. Because it just had this big scary look to it." (10:51)

Despite her parents' skepticism about local ghostly lore, Emma begins to experience unsettling phenomena, including unexplained footsteps and the appearance of a mysterious blue mist and a spectral lady, whom the family later names Mrs. Waller.

Paranormal Experiences at Sharon Rectory

Transcript Reference: 11:21 – 26:57

Emma's recounting becomes increasingly intense as she describes nightly disturbances:

"I could see her head and her hair, her dress started to form... It's just emptiness. I just couldn't watch her anymore." (17:09)

These apparitions of Mrs. Waller disrupt the family's daily life, leading to furniture moving on its own, unexplained noises, and the falling of a particularly unsettling picture depicting a sacrifice from Greek mythology.

Seeking Help: The Séance

Transcript Reference: 23:35 – 26:57

Desperate to quell the disturbances, Emma's parents engage Kate Houston, a psychic medium, to communicate with the spirits haunting Sharon Rectory. During the séance, intense phenomena occur:

"Mrs. Waller comes in. She, like, floats in... And all of a sudden, she was gone." (24:30)

This encounter seems to bring a temporary peace, halting the nightly disturbances, yet the presence of Mrs. Waller remains an ever-present shadow over the family.

Life After the Séance and Continued Hauntings

Transcript Reference: 29:00 – 35:36

As the family continues renovating Sharon Rectory, Emma experiences a shift in the haunting dynamics. Moving into the coachman's residence offers a brief respite, but the supernatural activities escalate:

"I get up and I look around and I can't see anything that's out of place. I was freaked out..." (31:30)

Emma encounters a dark, ominous shadow figure and begins to suffer from unexplained physical marks and terrifying visions, heightening her sense of dread and isolation within the house.

New Beginnings and the Fire Incident

Transcript Reference: 36:24 – 40:59

Emma's relationship with Gabriel and the birth of their son Noah mark significant life changes. Moving to a new house temporarily alleviates the supernatural strain, but tragedy strikes when Sharon Rectory catches fire:

"I see these large flames coming up just out of the roof of the main part of the house." (36:58)

During the fire, witnesses report seeing a spectral woman—presumably Mrs. Waller—amidst the chaos, suggesting her lingering connection to the manor.

Return to Sharon Rectory and Ongoing Hauntings

Transcript Reference: 40:23 – 41:38

Despite the fire, Emma and her family choose to remain tied to Sharon Rectory, driven by love and attachment to their home. However, the haunting intensifies with Emma's children experiencing their own supernatural encounters, blurring the line between past and present:

"Noah starts shouting. He says, mom, you drove over a man." (41:04)

These incidents underscore the enduring presence of Mrs. Waller and the unresolved spirits tethered to Sharon Rectory.

Conclusion: Lingering Presence of the Blue Lady

Transcript Reference: 41:38 – 45:00

Emma reflects on the inextricable bond her family has with Sharon Rectory, despite the ever-present hauntings. The episode concludes with a poignant acknowledgment of the family's resilience and the enigmatic nature of Mrs. Waller's spirit:

"After that night of the seance, I think that Mrs. Waller was at peace, but she never really, really left." (40:23)

Key Insights and Themes

1. Family Dynamics Amidst Trauma: The Tully family's internal struggles parallel the external supernatural threats, highlighting how personal turmoil can intersect with external fears.

2. Historical Tragedy and the Supernatural: The tragic history of Sharon Rectory serves as a catalyst for the haunting, illustrating how unresolved past events can manifest in the present.

3. Resilience and Acceptance: Despite the fear and tragedy, the family's decision to stay and repair Sharon Rectory underscores themes of resilience and the deep emotional ties to one's home.

4. Isolation and Vulnerability: Emma's isolation, both physically in her childhood home and emotionally within Sharon Rectory, amplifies the sense of vulnerability essential to the haunting narrative.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Emma Louise Tully:

  "I know them because it's better outside freezing than it's an easy nine-year-old target inside." (00:05)
  "I could see her head and her hair, her dress started to form... It's just emptiness." (17:09)

• Narrator (Zoe Ferrigno):

  "At this point, Emma decides that she has to talk to her mom." (19:09)
  "One big question everybody asks is, why would you stay in the house?" (40:35)

• Kate Houston (Psychic Medium):

  "You need to pray and you need to keep praying." (24:30)

• Fire Chief:

  "I think that Mrs. Waller saw what was happening to her home." (38:19)

Conclusion

"The Blue Lady" masterfully intertwines personal tragedy with supernatural lore, presenting a compelling narrative about the enduring bonds of family and the haunting weight of history. Emma Louise Tully's story serves as a haunting reminder of how the past can linger, shaping and sometimes tormenting the present.

For those intrigued by tales of the supernatural and the complexities of familial relationships under duress, this episode of Spooked offers a richly detailed and emotionally resonant experience.

Additional Information:

Emma Louise Tully has authored a book titled The Haunting of Sharon Rectory, providing an in-depth exploration of her family's experiences. Interested listeners can find more information on the Spooked Luminary page or reach out to Spooked@snapjudgment.org to share their own supernatural stories.