Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Celebrating a life


Tonight I am mourning the loss of a family member, my maternal Grandmother.
As all Grammas are, she was special.
Born of Italian descendents she had a great sense of humor and could throw out some really good zingers, if you know what I mean.


After meeting my Grandfather on a blind date, the rest was history as people say.
(He's the one who passed down the red hair gene)


They married, had three beautiful girls and enjoyed life together as a family. They had their ups and downs but stayed together through it all.


By the time I was born my Grandparents decided to pick up and move to Florida which was a popular thing to do in the early 60's and 70's.

I never really had a close relationship with them because of the distance between us. We kept in touch by phone, sent greeting cards, and shared Christmas presents being sent back and forth. Yearly visits were made. But it's not the same. Not like having a Grandmother you could bake a cake with, go to the park with, or raid the cookie jar.


But she was still very special. It is because of my Grandparents, who owned their own antiques and bookstore while they lived in Florida, that I probably have learned to love them as well.



Here she is later in life...surrounded by her immediate family members, the ones she loved the most. My Mother is on the left, my Aunt on the right, my Grandfather and my other Aunt above.
And just like in this photo... I'm celebrating her life.
A life well lived.

Miss you and love you Gramma Grace!

1921 - 2011


I'm linking with Pink Saturday for Valentine's Day... what better way to cherish her memory!

35 comments:

Ms.Daisy said...

Jillian,
A lovely tribute...she would have loved it!


Love,
Ms.Daisymau

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post and loving tribute, I'm sure she will be missed and I'm sorry for your loss. Hugs and Blessings Marilou

Anonymous said...

A very lovely tribute, she sounds like a very fun and loving person! Hugs to you!!

Joyce - Quilted Nest said...

How special that you have those old photos of her. Sounds like she would have been fun to know! Blessings to you.

Unknown said...

Jillian, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs!

Claudia said...

Jillian, I am sorry about the loss of your grandmother. Thinking of you and yours.

xo
Claudia

MJ said...

Sorry to read of your grandmother's passing! She and your grandfather passed on many blessings to you!

Deepest sympathies,
MJ

Victorian1885 said...

Jillian I am sorry for your loss..your Grandmother was a beautiful lady!
Hugs,
Wanda

Amanda said...

Jillian,
So sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. This post was such a lovely way to honor her. Thank you for sharing with us.
Best Wishes and Blessings to you and your family,
Amanda

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

That was so touching. She was a beautiful lady. You favor her so much!
My heart goes out to you during your time of loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Hugs,
Tammy

Cindy Adkins said...

Dear Jillian,
I am so sorry for your loss of your grandmother...What a beautiful tribute you have made for her...this is so touching.
XO

Anonymous said...

What a lovely and loving tribute...that is a life well lived.

Unknown said...

Absolutely beautiful tribute to your beloved grandmother, Jillian. She is resting peacefully with Jesus ... God bless her soul. She is smiling ...

Happy Valentine's PS weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

NanE said...

I am so sorry for your lose! I never knew my Paternal Grandparents and had a luke warm relationship with my maternal Grandparents, so I envy anyone who was close to theirs. It sounds like she had a wonderful, full life and has left you with memories to cherish. Blessings, Nan

Donnie said...

What a wonderful tribute to a fine woman. So sweet.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

This is a wonderful Love post. Your grandmother looks like she had a very happy life, and passed part of herself to you! Linda

RachelD said...

I celebrate your Grandma Grace, and your fond memories of her. Thank you for sharing such sweet remembrances of such a special woman.

rachel

Slice of Pie said...

A very sweet post. Your grandmother was beautiful ... and your mother and aunts have her smile! She will stay with you ... and you'll know it. Sorry for your loss ... but thrilled that she touched your life in the ways she did.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

A lovely tribute to a beautiful woman. My mother was also Italian, I never knew my Grandparents on her side. Thank you for sharing your memories (())

Sarah said...

Sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother.

Nancy said...

Such a sweet tribute. So sorry for your loss. In sympathy, Nancy

pinkkandy said...

Happy Pink Saturday! And God Bless You...stop by Pink Sugar Castle...I'd love to hear from you.
I think Grandmas are so special...It has been several years since mine has gone to be with Lord...but I do miss her...your pictures are wonderful

Amisha said...

Sorry for you loss. Sending good wishes your way.

Decor To Adore said...

I am thinking of you.

Angela said...

I am sorry to read of your grandmother's death. It looks like she was a lovely person.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Happy Pink Saturday Sweetie...
A beautiful tribute. I love the share of the photos. Such love in this beautiful family.

Happy Valentine's Day sweetie and again, thanks for the share.

Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Ann said...

Thanks for sharing with all of us your beautiful memories. The pictures are so good, she sounds like a wonderful grandmother. What a beautiful smile in the final photo.
Ann

Claudia said...

I am so very sorry for you loss.

Recently my sister passed and I came upon the most poinant video.

Go to Youtube and "search" for The Dash.

Looks to me like your grandmother's Dash was remarkable.

Hugs to you during your sorrow.


Claudia

Unknown said...

Dear Jillian:
I am sorry for your loss. I hope the sweet memories of you Grandmother can bring you and your family peace.
Roselle

gail said...

Hi Jillian-What a pretty lady! I'm so sorry for your loss, but she seems like she led a good and long life, and she left behind a legacy of someone who enjoys doing what she did-antiquing-so the circle continues! My mom gave me that legacy, too, and I always feel she's with me on my hunts.
hugs,
gail

Nikki (Sarah) said...

what an awesome tribute.....

RachelD said...

Thank you so much for dropping in at DYED IN THE COTTON!! I was pleasantly surprised that you found it---most folks go to LAWN TEA.

DYTC is just a little site I reserved for writing a little bit about REAL Southern stuff, and mostly about the people, made up of folks I've known and composites of several, who populate Paxton, MS---also made up.

I love that you visited, and hope you'll peek in again anytime.

rachel

dana said...

Jillian, I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. The photo of her surrounded with her girls and her hubby....well, you could tell she was very happy! What a great picture to have.

I wasn't close to my only grandmother either. I loved her, but I just wasn't with her often. Like you said, it takes experiences to really build a relationship. My children only had one gr. mother, too, and while she (my mom) lived about an hour away, we didn't see her as often as I wished we could have. When my kids were little, she was working and just after she retired they MOVED out of state. :( SO, I think that's why I try to be with my grands as often as possible...without going overboard and becoming a pest! :)

I am glad they inspired your love of antiques....and also happy your gr. dad was the red gene sharer! :) My dad passed it on, too. However, my hubby was red headed as a younger person. SO, my son had wonderful red hair...and now his girl does!! Long live the red gene!

Love to you, Dana

Melissa said...

I can certainly see the resemblance you have to your grandmother in the first photo of her.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Stopping by from Beatrice Banks... This is a lovely tribute to your Gramma! I thought a lot about my own grandmothers this week while writing a post on family linens. Do you have any from your grandmothers? Stop by if you get a chance.