mARCH 13, 2006
3/13/2006 - 17 years without my Grandma Anne
My paternal grandmother, Anne, was a very accomplished and hard working woman. Looking at her life and hearing stories of how she grew up and the things she endured, she is very inspirational to me. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She had 12 children and family was the most important thing to her. My grandfather and her truly were a beautiful couple that built a beautiful life.
My fondest memories are reading with my grandmother. When she passed, I was in 6th grade and I knew I wanted to inherit her books. I now own a lot of children's books from her house, as well as some of her adult collection. The first picture posted, is her and I reading a book at her dinner table. That same exact book is now on my daughter's bookshelf and we frequently read it! Until the year of her passing, our family had weekly Saturday night suppers at her house, on the farm. I have so many memories around her large table, eating, laughing, and reading books!
I also learned a love of education from her. My grandmother received her Bachelor's degree in home economy and had a dual certificate in education to teach. Then she went and got her masters in counseling/psychology. She didn't stop there and later in life received her PhD in education- the picture of her at graduation is also included. That is acknowledged on her grave stone with "Dr.". She was very very proud of that and education is something she valued-- that I know value myself. I currently am enrolled and have about 1 semester left of my own master's degree. I am personally working on mine at Iowa State. My masters degree will be in counseling/youth development also. She had a wonderful career as a guidance counselor at the local school in the community. Although I won't be continuing that legacy and directly working in a school, I definitely am proud to still carry on her legacy of receiving a masters in counseling and helping and serving others!
The rest of the pictures are from her life and showcase her personality. She was a smart, strong, and kind woman. She was very proud to be Irish and was a devote Catholic. She loved education, reading, and enjoyed good art and movies. She was a well traveled woman and especially enjoyed visiting Ireland. Remembering and honoring her as an ancestor is very important to me. She passed on 3/13/2006 and her funeral was on 3/17/2006.. very fitting to have it on St. Patrick's Day to honor this beautiful Irish woman!
