"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, January 14, 2013

Always Great


Our wonderful "Great" died on Sunday morning. She was 95 years old! 



          She died peacefully in her sleep. I know she had a wonderful life, but we really miss her!



This picture was taken two days before she died. Great had fallen off her bed into her wheel chair. She had quite a few stitches, but she never let anything keep her down. When she was at the hospital getting her stitches, she kept yelling, "Hey, get the doctor in here! I'm tired of waiting already!" 
She sure had spunk.



Great was always cheered up with Cheetos and Twizzlers. When I would ask her if she wanted some chocolate candy or some licorice, she would always say, "Bring them both!" (I obviously take after her in my love of all junk food).



Her infamous "Hello Kitty" slippers. 



Here is Great when she was only 16 years old. She was born in Chicago, but grew up in Pittsburgh. She had five daughters and then she decided to go to college to become a teacher. 


She and my Grandpa (who I called Grumpus) were married for 65 years! They had a wonderful, loving marriage. They always kept their sense of humor. Once, when they were younger, Grandpa had forgotten to pick up Grandma at the store. Great smushed a pie in his face. Then, they both dissolved into laughter. 


That's my mom on the left! 


They were always dancing and having fun together and they worked hard together too. Grumpus worked at a steel mill, and then opened his own business designing logos. He and Grandma worked many long hours with their business in the basement. Grandpa had his own column in the newspaper too. 



In their later years, they moved to Florida. Grandma always made the best stuffed cabbage! She was feisty and was known for her "creative language" when someone bothered her when she was cooking.


 Great was definitely a rock star! 


Grumpus died in January too, about 9 years ago. Grandma had a dream about him and he told her it wasn't time for her to come be with him yet. About eight years ago, Grandma came here to live with my mom. As her legs got weaker, we got her a Power Chair to scoot around in. Many times she would be zooming around and knock down entire displays at the store. "Did I do that?", she would ask me, as she darted away. We are so lucky that we got to spend so much time with her. 


Catherine made a special angel picture for Great. 


Today, I had to go clean out Great's room at her assisted living home. That was tough to do. I will miss all our friends there, but we will still visit. 


You're always in our heart Great. You and Grumpus have fun up there! 



37 comments:

  1. Oh, I am so sorry! She seemed like a lovely person every time you posted about her. So glad she was able to enrich your lives and bless you.

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  2. Rest In Peace Great! Praying for your family!

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  3. What a sweet post of a life well lived!

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  4. I'm so sorry for your loss. From your posts, she seemed like an awesome lady.

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  5. wow, a lot of great people went home Sunday! My uncle did too. Sorry for your loss of such a sweet and feisty lady!!! Praying for comfort during this time. Hugs.

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  6. Hugs, I am so sorry but feel so fortunate to have been able to experience her love for life from afar.

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  7. I'm so sorry for your loss! What an amazing life she lived.

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  8. I am sorry for your loss! I lost my grandmother 3 years ago and I still tear up when I think of her and all the fun times we had together. May God comfort you in the days ahead.

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  9. So sorry for your loss, but it sounds like you have peace knowing she is back up to her old tricks up in heaven. I always enjoyed your posts about taking the girls to see her and the other ladies in her assisted living center. So glad she and your girls were able to bless each other.

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  10. what a beautiful tribute! I'm sorry for your family's loss. I love the pictures of her and Grumpus :) Annette

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  11. Oh Catherine I'm so sorry for your loss! It has been wonderful to get to know your beautiful Great through your blog. She truly was a rock star :)!

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  12. What a beautiful legacy she left! So glad your children were able to spend that much time with her. Praying for you all!

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  13. I am so sorry for your loss, sounds like she was a great lady.

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  14. I am so sorry for your families' loss.

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  15. I'm so sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing Great in your posts. xoxo

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  16. I'm so sorry to hear about your "Great" passing. She certainly did live a full life filled with love and laughter. May she rest in peace. <3

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  17. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. Your children were so blessed to have the opportunity to know her.

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  18. What an amazing woman! I know it will be hard getting used to her not being around but oh, what great memories you have. That your children were able to interact with her, honor her and will have access to her remarkable life story, is a tribute to your good values! They will treasure having known her.

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  19. Praying for the peace of the Father to cover you all! Know that you and your children were blessed to be able to spend time with her.

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  20. I have always loved every one of your posts about Great. She was beautiful and she will live on inside of each of your hearts. Truly, a full life lived...rest in peace, beautiful lady <3

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  21. I am so sorry for your loss. She looked like a beautiful lady. I am sure she will be missed greatly. Hugs to you and your family.

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  22. This was the sweetest post! That story of her smashing a pie in her hubby's face reminded me of The Notebook and how those two lovebirds were in the movie!!! I am so sorry for your sadness.

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  23. I am so sorry to learn that your Great has passed on. I loved reading your posts about visiting her care home with all your gorgeous kids.

    She was a very lucky lady to have so many loving family and friends.

    Bless x

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  24. I cried reading your post. I am over the other side of the planet and have never met you - but I have so enjoyed reading about Great and seeing the lovely pics you have shared with us over time. I am truly sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute you wrote; the photos of her younger years are just wonderful. You have obviously inherited her sense of fun. Much love to you all xx

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  25. I'm very, very sorry for your loss, but I'm sure she was a wonderful woman to deserve such a peaceful death.

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  26. Hello,
    I've been reading your blog for awhile but never commented. Reading about your grandma today has me in tears. What a beautiful, spunky lady she was. I am sure your grandpa is soooo happy to have her back with him. Lots of prayers for your entire family.

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  27. I'm sorry for your loss. I've so enjoyed getting to know your Great through your posts. Thank you for sharing!

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  28. Praying for you and your family. Tears here...
    You are so lucky to have had such a wonderful Great! I lost my wonderful Mamaw not long ago at the age of 92. They sound alot alike! Your tribute is just lovely.
    You know...we miss them but at the same time you know that they lived such an amazing full life how can we begrudge them the spendor of Heaven! She will be with you everyday in the things you do and say! I'm sure you will be like us, every conversation about my mamaw involves laughter, never sadness!! Sheri

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  29. Beautiful post my friend! I'm sure Great is looking down and smiling on you!

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  30. My heart is breaking for you but at the same time I feel how blessed you all have been. How wonderful that Great got to be with you all for this Christmas. I love the stories and pictures of your Grandmother. What a looker she was. You can see in her eyes that she had spunk. I have always loved the pics of all the kids visiting her and her friends. Thank you for sharing this wonderful woman with us. Love to you all, debi

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  31. I'm so glad that your kids will have wonderful memories of your beloved "Great"!! I think you inherited her humor and her spunk! Your family is in my prayers as you move through life without her in it. I know she will remain deep in your thoughts and hearts. And one day you will catch up to her and Grumpus and a whole new adventure will begin! (((HUGS)))

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  32. Aw, it was so wonderful to see you and your children visiting with her, what a special blessing and so uplifting and encouraging. Blessings to all of you as you continue on her feisty spirit!

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  33. I love Great! She was an important part of your family and thus, ours, your readers. May she Rest in Peace. Praying for your saddened hearts.
    Hugs to All ~ Jo

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  34. I am so very sorry for your loss. I loved seeing Great on your blog. What a special lady, My prayers are with you all.

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  35. My condolences. What a wonderful tribute and the olden-days pics (as my kids would call them) are lovely.

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