My grandma

She was such a big part of my life. I was so lucky to have all the memories of so many wonderful times. The staying up late, and having midnight, or 2:00 am snack, and talking and laughing. It would be so funny, we would talk about everything. One of our favorite subjects would be mom. You loved her so much, and after we would make fun of her, we would both be laughing, especially about her being “Mrs. Clean”. You would tell me how proud you were of her. You always held your family so high and made us feel so special.

It would be so funny, we would both be asleep and all of a sudden you would yell out, “lord have mercy!” I would fly off the bed and hit the floor and start saying “grandma, what’s wrong?” you would be sound asleep, but I would wake you any way. I figured you woke me up, you would say, “quit worrying about me and go to sleep.”

You were so funny I had so many more plans, trips for us to go in and I was so selfish I didn’t want you to leave me.

You taught me so much from cooking to crocheting and much more. You weren’t just my grandma, you were one of my best friends, and I am going to miss you so much. I feel like part of my world has been pulled apart…

One day we were in the motor home just going on a little ride and just out of the blue, you looked at me and said, “You know, that when you were young, you never minded. Brenda and Shelly always would mind but not you, you had a mind all of your own.” I said, “I must have gotten my stubbornness from you.” She said, “No, you got it from grandpa.”

Before you left, I begged you to stay. But you were so tired and I’m so sorry for only thinking of myself. My good friend Maryann had just passed away. She always would come over and call you grandma. Well you passed away on her birthday I bet when she saw you she yelled out, “Well hello grandma!” You were probably greeted by so many friends and family especially grandpa. He probably even hit you on the butt with a gourd. I can see you now dancing and having so much fun. I know heaven’s gates opened wide for you because I have never known anyone whom was as pure as you. You were an angel on earth and now in heaven. I love you grandma.

You will always be in my heart
Julie

To my dear cousin's,
I regret that my husband and I cannot attend Aunt Mary's funeral.I would like you to know that Aunt Mary was one of my most favorite aunt's growing up. She was always, always a nice kind person. I remember her wonderful big breakfast's that she use to make all of us when we would come down to the "valley". Everything was always totally homemade. She had the kind of eyes that would make you melt,she could look at you with those eyes and you new you where loved.

I remember our Auntie Mary so fondly with her great smile and kind temperment. As children, the Marenco kids would spend time on the farm "down the valley" where my father, John, would go hunting around the Ceres area with all the other uncles and frieds. I remeber the grapes that grew wild along a trellis at the house. They were the BEST grapes us kids had ever eaten. I remember playing in the canals and those creepy water snails that would stick to the sides of their mossy walls. I remember how hot it was when we'd visit in the summer there. And, spending the night in cots and sleeping bags. I remember breakfast. The smell was so great it instantly brought joy to my little tummy. The Marenco kids loved the Macedos and were excited whenever they visited or we visited them. My mother Isabel, always told us kids about how she and Aunt Mary did needle work together. Of course Isabel's did not compare to Aunt Mary's and we were even lucky enough to have several outfits and blankets made from her. We will miss our Aunt Mary. Rest in peace. With love, niece June, Debie, Caron, Gloria and nephew John.

My Grandma......
Taught me so much about life and what really matters...To Love People, Love Life, To Be Grateful For What God has been so Gracious to give and never waste it. She taught me that the true Character of a person is not defined by the works or show that they put on for the world to see; True strength of Character is having the courage to do the right thing....even when no one else is looking. She taught me the value of Honesty, Loyalty and the joy that comes from being able to look yourself in the mirror and know you did the right thing. My Gramma had the most amazing outlook on life. In her later years she worked in her yard everyday, pulling weeds. I stopped by one day and she showed me a bucket of weeds she had pulled. I said, "Gramma, Don't you ever get bored pulling weeds everyday?" She said, "Shelly, everyday I get to wake up and go out into the the yard and find a new weed I have never seen before, one that God put there for me to find and pull it. Now, how could that ever be boring?" I started laughing and said, "Gramma do you always have to teach a lesson?" She laughed and said, "Well, you need to learn something everday." I Love My Gramma so much and I am going to miss her. Her life was a living testament to goodness and love that this world needs. The love she gave and the values she taught our family will continue through the generations and she will never be forgotten.

Grandma was the best grandmother anyone could ask for, if I can be half the grandmother she was my grandchildren will be lucky. She was a wonderful example of a strong christian woman. I love and will miss her very much.