Saying Goodbye to Grandma

Last Tuesday my grandma Ellen died. She was 98, almost 99. Less than two weeks ago she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and put on hospice. I saw her on Friday and Monday night and both times she looked the same--non-responsive and looking like it was a little difficult to breathe despite the extra oxygen she was on. After watching her abilities decline for several years and feeling like her quality of life has not been that great, I don't feel sad about her passing. Her husband died almost 25 years ago and her parents and siblings have all died. She was always pleasant company but her life seemed lonely despite our efforts to visit and bring her places. I feel certain that she is much happier being reunited with her loved ones who have passed on.

So yesterday we had her funeral and burial. I was impressed with the number of her grandchildren that came. At the time of her death, she had 39 grandchildren, 110 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. More than 30 of her grandchildren were there along with many of the great-grandchildren and three of the great-greats (my grandchildren came!) Grandma would have really enjoyed being there.

At the funeral, all her living children spoke (one of her sons died in November) and there was a grandchildren's choir that sang "Abide With Me". Afterwards, we drove to the Provo City Cemetery and had a brief graveside prayer followed by a luncheon back at the church.

Bruce, Thys, and Lana at the funeral

The pallbearers

Tyler and Mindy with Amy in the background

David, Camille with Katie and Felix

Mom, Bruce, Leslie

Liesl, Austin, and Mom

Kent and Felicity and the back of my head

Camille and Frances

Talmage and Clyn

Mark and Matthew

Susanna and Katrina

Nephew Drew

Michelle

Dad and Dennis

My aunt Dru, uncle Buck and their 6 children

My aunt Leslie, uncle David and 4 of their 6 children plus a few grandchildren

My uncle Dennis, aunt Charma, and their four children: Rebecca, Daniel, James and Faith

Uncle Russ and Aunt Tawnie and children and grandchildren

Cousins Binny and Chanelle

My parents' family--most of us made it to the funeral.

Dad

Nieces Anna and Lizzy

Brian and Tyler

The luncheon afterwards

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