She lived by herself for 31 years after her husband passed away. Sadly, I never got to meet him. She was a very independent woman...drove until she was 91...and often worked or volunteered her time for others. When her body started to fail her, my grandpa (her son) made sure she never felt alone. He would go visit her every day after work, sometimes bringing Chase (my cousin Aubree's son) with him, which would just make her day. She loved being with her family and would keep all our pictures tacked up on a board in her room.
My memories of Great Grandma consist of her often having Purdue basketball games playing on her tv when we came to visit, looking for deer on the back porch of her apartment, the Great Grandma sweatshirts that she always wore with each of our names embroidered on the front, a new pair of socks for each of us at Easter, an envelope of money at Christmas, and let's not forget her amazing chocolate cookies (with a piece of bread in the box for freshness) that greeted us every time we came in town. She was a spunky old woman who was always laughing and making jokes. I think of the joy on her face when any family came to visit her. And how she was such a card shark, often winning our family euchre tournaments. She was quite a lady!
Everyone was there at her funeral (except Nicholas...who gave her a shoutout in Spain!), which is how she would have wanted it. My favorite parts of the funeral were Chase's (Aubree's 5 year old son's) speech...I am sure Grandma was smiling down from Heaven at his sweet, innocent words...and how each of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great great grandkids got to take home a flower from on top of her casket...per her request. There is no doubt that family was most important to her!
We sure are going to miss having her around!
Rest in Peace Great Grandma!
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