My brother and I got to grow up with her just 15 minutes away from us for most of our young lives. She was always there to watch a school musical or support us in any other way. One of my first memories of her was when she and my aunt took me on my first shopping spree. I still remember the Guess jean skirt they helped me pick out. I remember it fondly because it was a rare treat to be able to buy something so extravagant (in my parents' opinion). Although my Grami was a nurse by trade, having grown up in North Dakota, but also lived in Seattle, Eugene and Phoenix, she would have much rather have lived in New York as a Broadway singer. She loved to sing and especially loved to watch others perform.
A very special memory I have of her was when she came out to Portland for Christmas 2010. Her health had been back and forth for quite a few years and a long trip such as that was always hard thing for her to do. We were so lucky that she was able to travel from ND (where she had lived since helping to take care of her mother and then stayed after her death in '04). She came out for about a week and got to meet her great-grandsons for the first time. That is when she got her second nickname - GG - for great-grandma. We had such a great time going to the Grotto to see the Festival of Lights, baking sugar cookies together (a tradition I do each year that actually comes from her own mother's recipe), having Christmas brunch, etc. She also got to travel to Las Vegas after Portland and see Celine Dion perform - one of her dreams in life!
I have so many memories of this special lady that it's hard to contain them all in one blog post. I feel very happy to know that she and I both share the same middle name which will be carried down to my own daughter very soon. She was a loving and caring grandma who loved all of four of her grandkids and two great-grandchildren dearly. It's sad to think she was my last living grandparent and Tristan's last living great-grandparent. You will be missed, Grami XOXO
Very special four generations picture
What an amazing tribute to an amazing women, you were so very lucky to have those last memories with her!! I know how difficult this time can be, and I will keep your family in my prayers!! XOXO
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