Grandma Grace's Eulogy

First off, I would like to thank all of you for being here today to support our family and celebrate the long and beautiful life of my grandmother, Grace. Especially all our family members who had to cut summer vacations short, travel long distances with small children, and get on last minute flights to sit by grandma's bedside before she passed away. I know without a doubt that she felt our love before she left and that she's smiling down on us today as we gather together to celebrate her. 

I’d also like to thank the members of our ward who opened their hearts, their homes, their talents and service, and their families to my Grandma over the years. Although my family is not active in the LDS faith, you made them feel welcome and part of your world, especially Grace. She adored all of you so much and was very appreciative for the many hours you spent visiting her, cleaning her apartment, bringing her meals, walking her dogs, taking her bowling and out to lunches, and inviting her to church activities and important events in your lives.

It’s important that I express the extreme gratitude my family feels for all of you who have helped us during this time and who had taken the time to stop by and see Grace one last time before she left. You really have stepped up to come to our aid and make things easier and more comforting. Without all of you, this service and the luncheon to follow would not be possible. We cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done and continue to do for our family.

I want to thank my step-mom, Doris for the unconditional love she gave my grandma and for all the sleepless nights she endured to care for her.

Lastly, we’d like to extend our gratitude to all of the wonderful hospice nurses and to Dr. Mower who looked after Grace and took her in as a friend. We would not have made it through the past 8 months without you. She loved all of you as well and treasured the time you spent together. It was your constant encouragement and bright, smiling faces that helped her through the most difficult times in her declining health.

I’d like to thank my sweet Aunt Mary for helping me put this eulogy together and giving me such a precious gift to learn more about my grandma and the life she lived…

My grandmother Grace had a difficult upbringing. Her childhood wasn’t unhappy, but it wasn’t happy either. She came from a poor family, their poorness compounded by the depression. Her father was a traveling minister. With most of the money he earned, he purchased religious pamphlets to share with those whom he ministered. As a result, there was never enough money for food or clothing. In fact, Grandma went to school barefoot for many years.

As the depression continued and WWII began, she finished nurses training and married my grandpa. Food continued to be scarce. As the war ended, she started her family and as her family grew older, it also grew in size. After being hungry as a child, her goal was that she and her family would never go hungry. Up until a couple years ago, she was still buying cases of canned goods to satisfy that goal.

Though she had a rough upbringing, it made her the strong and confident woman we knew and loved. She made the best of what she was given and was determined to be better, do better, and provide better. And though my uncle Bill would probably beg to differ after he was handed down a little girls bathing suit from my Aunt Mary, I think she tried her very best to do just that.

Not unlike her father, she had a giving nature, particularly to her friends and neighbors. Most of us probably have at least one of her scrubbies at home or have received a money shirt, greeting card gift box, crocheted oven hand towel, a plate of Christmas candy and cookies, or any of the other many crafts and goodies that she made.  And I know her family will miss opening their size 40 underwear for Christmas!

We all have our memories of mom, grandma Grace, Grace, or Gracie. No one can take them away and no one can change them.

When I think of my grandma, I think of a beautiful, smiling face sitting out on the front porch with her dogs or planting flowers in her garden while she sings and whistles merrily.

On June 26^th, 2013, my final moment with her was made. With her hand in mine, she peacefully slipped away surrounded by our family. Although this day holds a tender place in my mind and heart, the moments I treasure most, are those of us as family with Grandma Grace at the center of our lives.

I know she’s up in Heaven having the time of her life with Grandpa, while they bowl a perfect 300 on the Golden Lanes in the sky!