Grandma Brown...

Three weeks ago today, on January 2, 2014 my Grandma, Phyllis Brown, passed away.

You might remember my post from last April when she turned 100 years old on April 17, 2013

Unfortunately, on December 30th she had fallen and broken her hip and passed away within days of the fall.

Grandma Brown was my mom's stepmother. My mom's mother had passed away when she was 7 1/2 years old. Her father, Clifford, married Phyllis on December 28, 1959 when my mom was 13 years old. They lived in different states throughout their marriage and as my mom and sisters were growing up. They finally retired in Florida.

1993 - Grandma and Grandpa Brown. She loved red roses.

1998 - The last time I saw my Grandpa was at our Brown Family Reunion

My Grandfather passed away on March 6, 1999. In October 1999 Grandma moved to Alma, Michigan to Masonic Pathways Senior Living a full care facility where she lived until her passing. She had been a part of the Eastern Star organization since the early 1940's and paid her dues and because of that was able to be a part of this home.

The last time I saw Grandma was when I was pregnant with Sarah and they had a baby shower for me in Florida. She surprised me by coming to the shower.

January 2001

One of the things I remember most about Grandma was the porcelain dolls that her and my Grandpa made. I have been so blessed to receive some of them through the years and have been able to pass them down to Sarah. 

Our substitute baby Jesus for our Advent calendar was one of the dolls she made as well. 

Here is what my mom said when I asked her about the history of the dolls..."We can't seem to agree on when they started making the dolls and why that got into it.  I think she started out helping her sister Gladys.  Then, when they lived to Winter Haven, Florida they started pouring their own dolls.  They had molds and a kiln.  My Dad did the pouring, firing and cleaning up, then she painted and dressed them. They sold all their equipment before moving to Welaka, Florida and from there moved to Michigan."

Grandma always sent us cards for birthdays and special holidays. We would talk on the phone occasionally. I know she loved us and cared about what was going on in our lives even though we didn't see each other much. 

I am thankful for my grandparents and for the love they have added to my life.