In Remembrance of Grandma Ellery

My precious grandma passed away a few weeks ago, and I think about her all the time. These are some adjectives I would use to describe Grandma Ellery: happy, sweet, generous, practical, frugal, easygoing, optimistic, spiritual, musical, artistic. She was extremely self-sufficient all the way to her ripe old age of 88. She never wanted to bother or impose on anyone, and it's almost as if she left this life with that same goal in mind…she passed very quickly and almost a bit unexpectedly in her home. She had just returned from a very positive post-operative appointment with the doctor (she had recently had surgery for colon cancer and was making great progress). Basically, her heart failed her, an occurrence which seems unrelated to the surgery she had gone through. I know she is so "dee-lighted" to be reunited with her husband and sons in heaven now. And I know she wouldn't want us to worry about her. She would often sing songs on my voicemail, just for the heck of it. I still have these messages, of course…precious reminders of my angel grandma.

 

 

My dad found this at her house a little while ago…a picture I had never seen before.

These are a few random shots I've found in my photo library:

 

 

 

 

 

Jasmine and I went to her funeral in SoCal a couple of weeks ago, and it was a very poignant experience. Because we believe in resurrection and eternal families, LDS funerals are usually light and sweet…or lighter and sweeter than most. I loved being able to reunite with family members and reminisce about Grandma.

Uncle Cleve…Granmda's brother.

Jasmine with Grandma Robin

Michelle…wife of my first cousin once removed, and Grandma's nephew, Braden

All four of Grandma's granddaughters (that beautiful cousin of ours is Holly)

Handsome cousins from my mom's side

From L-R: Cousin Holly (1st cousin), Aunt Kathy, Mom, Cousin Braden (1st cousin once removed)

Jazzy with Aunt Paige

I am so grateful there was another little boy there for Jasmine to play with. She is very social, like her sister.

Paige and Holly showing off their beautiful long locks, an activity from which I was excluded

I don't think I have a pic of my daddy or Uncle Karl, but they were great throughout this whole thing. My dad gave a beautiful eulogy and Uncle Karl gave a great family prayer at Grandma's viewing. Again, I am so thankful for family, especially to be a part of the one I'm in! I love you, Grandma! I can just hear your beautiful alto voice singing in vibrato with the choirs of angels now! :)