We are currently living through some strange times where limits on social gatherings don't allow us to get together to celebrate someone we've lost. My grandma's death should be acknowledged and her life should be celebrated and remembered. We were able to enter the nursing home one at a time to say our goodbyes earlier in the day (gown, gloves, and mask worn and our temp. taken). I don't mourn that her body let go today. I feel relief that she no longer suffers with Alzheimer's disease. I feel I lost my grandma when her mind went years ago.
Growing up I have only wonderful memories of my Grandma. Meeting up at her house with my cousin's to trick or treat, decorating gingerbread houses with her, Christmas dinner at her house. Grandma Ina was sweet, compassionate and funny. I think we can all thank her for our sense of humour and general goofiness. She raised her kids right and loved doing so. She would tell us that raising kids is the best time of your life. Of course, that's her opinion and not everyone agrees but I do, so I look up to her for that. A wonderful mother who was all about family and she passed that onto my dad and from him onto us. 😊 She always loved her animals and in the years before having to move into the nursing home, she took on a couple stray cats. She loved them and her Foxy dearly. Oh, and square dancing, she was the best around (from what she told me ☺️).
I believe my grandma was ahead of her time. She accepted people regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. Something some people still struggle with today. She cared that children on the other side of the world were hungry and that some animals didn't have loving families. My grandma always knew how to make us feel good with compliments. Our birthday cards always included a sweet uplifting note. I'm glad I saved a few. I will forever be reminded of her when I see animal print clothing. Will never forget the little jig she did for me and my friends or the fact that you could count on her to stuff her purse with chocolate when she would visit.
Grandma Ina is gone now but will always live on in our memories.
Amanda Westphal
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Monday May 18, 2020
via Condolence Message