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| My College Graduation. One of my biggest supporters! |
I’m Jill, Jean’s granddaughter. From the time I was a little
girl I would write my Grandma poems and stories; she always loved it. As an
adult, she often encouraged me to write a children’s book, which I have yet to
do. If that ever occurs rest assured the dedication in the front cover will read
“For my precious Grandma who always believed in me and encouraged me to write”.
For the time being, I thought she would like it if I wrote something for her. I
have written her a letter that I would like to share with you. Though no words
could adequately sum up her life, I hope to express a little bit of what she
means to me.
Grandma,
You went to be with the Lord on Christmas Eve Day. It only
seems fitting that someone so special would also go home on such a special day.
Each of us has our own memories of you, but a constant
thread runs through them all. Your love, your radiance, your faith, your
strength, your style and grace, your spunk permeates all the stories we hold
dear. To know you was to love you. Everyone who knew you would agree that when
Jeanie walked into a room it was instantly a little bit brighter. In the words
of a friend who recently learned of your passing, “You are simply a delight.”
You have loved me and been a constant in my life for thirty-one
years. It would be impossible to relay all the memories and moments we’ve made
together, however I would like to share a few of my favorite stories. Not too
long ago I came up to Idaho Falls to visit you and Richard. You both took me to
lunch at Dixie's Diner and then Richard left us to the mall, as was our usual routine.
After several stores, lots of gab and hours of shopping, I was worn out. I
thought for sure you would be ready to go home. Instead, you suggested we stop
for a quick pick me up at Starbucks and then resume our shopping. I really
think the phrase “shop ‘til you drop” was modeled after you!
It wasn’t very often I saw you without your jewelry,
lipstick and painted nails. You have always been an elegant, classy woman, a
lady through and through. So much so you would occasionally comment on your
grandchildren’s lack of refinement. I remember a specific incident of this. We
were celebrating your 75th birthday at a cabin near Glacier National
Park that the entire family rented together. We spent the days playing in the
lake, soaking in the hot tub, eating, laughing and playing cards. In your
honor, we even put on a skit and sang you songs, including what we dubbed as
your theme song: “Here Comes the Queen”. One morning, however, all us grandkids
were enjoying a lazy day, lounging around in our pajamas until after 1 pm. You
were appalled that anyone would possibly stay in their p.j.s until that hour of
the day and you were certainly not shy about letting us know how you felt (as
was usually the case). We just smiled at you and carried on as you shook your
head in friendly disapproval.
Grandma, you were not one to sit by and watch life. You were
an active participant in all it’s going ons! I have an image of you in my head,
dancing your heart out at your grandson David’s wedding in Spokane. Though many
chose to sit that dance out, there you were, cutting a rug with Harry (David’s
Grandpa) at 70 years of age. What a sight you were! And this was not just a
one-time event; this was how you consistently chose to live your life. If you
need further proof of this let me remind that you found love again and were married
to a wonderful man at the mature age of 77. You were always seeking new
adventures.
I could go on Grandma, but I’m sure you have much better
things to do now that you are in heaven. Let me conclude by saying that your
life has deeply impacted who I am. If this is true of me, know that is also
true of all others who have been blessed enough to know you, and especially
those of us who are privileged to call you family. My life is fraught with
memories of sleepovers at your home as a child, playing Yahtzee and cards for
hours, arguing over the rules of Rummikub at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, listening
to you tell stories of when I was just a little girl or “Chatterbox” (as you
called me), shopping trips, lunch dates, phone calls, seeing your beaming face
at any and every special event of my life, listening to stories of your youth,
birthday cards, holidays spent together, and just simply knowing you were
always there for me, always loving me. And these are only my memories; you will live on in these remembrances of mine and in
those of the rest of us who loved you. To say that we are thankful and blessed
that God gave us the gift of you for all these years is an understatement. On
Christmas Eve day this World lost a special gift, but a heavenly World gained a
precious new saint. I cannot wait
until I see you again.
All my love,
Jill
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| Jean and her 3 kids |
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| My sister and I with Grandma |
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| Crying Grandkids! (That's me on the right). |
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| Grandma and her sister Shirley |
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| Loving life! |
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| Grandma and her new husband, Richard. They loved one another so much. |
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| When Grandma won "Mrs. Lincoln Court" at her Assisted Living Home. |
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| 4 Generations |
