My grandmother passed away yesterday late in the morning. I was told that she was with my cousin Evalynne when she passed. She took 3 gulps of air and smiled. My Dad feels like his brother and his father were on the other side waiting for her and helping her through the transition.
I am happy that she is no longer in any pain. She went through so much. She saw so many doctors, and was very skeptical about all of them. It typically went like this:
Doctor: How are you doing today, Mrs. Katz?
Grandma: You tell me.
I am sure she was full of spitfire when she was younger. Check out this picture from her immigration papers:
My Dad will be speaking at the funeral tomorrow and said he would read something from us. Here goes:
I remember her house on East 29th Street in Brooklyn. The numbers read 2138 - ours were flipped, 3821. I thought that was cool. She had this really ornate wrought iron gate inside the house leading into the living room. It is now in Evalynne’s home. (Thank you for keeping it!) I always really liked Grandma’s house. It had three bedrooms upstairs and one of them had a sink! I think that was my Aunt Susan’s room. Plus, I think I remember the basement has it’s own kitchen, too. But, it was dark down there and a little bit scary for me, so I never ventured down much. I always invision that house when I read the Harry Potter books describing the Dursley’s house. It seems very similar.I always loved her cooking. I remember her sweet and sour cabbage. That was so incredibly delicious! I would eat so much of it every time we visited! She also always gave us Tam Tams and these cookies with a dollop of "fudge" in the middle. yum. We only got to visit every couple of years, so I didn’t get to know her that well. I have seen her even less since I went off to college.
Grandma Jean, I am glad to have known you. Thank you for all you have given me. I am glad you are no longer feeling any pain. I am sure that Uncle Lee and Grandpa Sam are with you now. Please watch over our little Zoey and help us keep her safe. I love you!
Here are some pictures from the old photo albums:
This was taken when Grandma was visiting us here in Seattle in the late 70’s. It is Grandma, my Dad, and Bonnie. I think it was Whidbey Island or another similar island.
This was at Bonnie’s 8th grade graduation. Again, Grandma, Dad, and Bonnie. I must have been the photographer.
This one I think we were visiting Long Island, because I think this was Evalynne’s doggie, Rapunzel. There is Grandma with me.
January 14th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
Dear Rona and Family; my condolences to you on the passing of Grandma Jean. She was such a sweet and spunky lady, who gave so much to all her family. I share the sadness of you all, and of Robert on the loss of his Mom. In rememberence, Lou
January 15th, 2005 at 7:24 pm
Hi
This is Robert (Rona’s Dad) writing from Alan Laken
and Mindy Ross’ Computer. This afternoon, we reunited
with Susan and Bill James, from Virginia, and Bonnie
Katz from Seattle, and David Katz from West Palm Beach,
Florida.
We watched the videotape of Grandma and Uncle Lee and
the move in 1993 from the house at 2138 E. 29th St.
in Brooklyn. Larry Videotaped it (I have a partial copy).
It was a very joyous/poignant session. My mother was
a bit in shock, but much more spry. She was 82 at the
time. She kept saying:
“C’mon, eat something!” to Larry and “Do you want a cup of Tea?” to Lee. She helped with the narration by talking about the things that were in each room and when
they first moved there.
This was also the first time I saw your Uncle Lee
since September 2, 2001 (Our East Coast Wedding). That’s
how I prefer to remember him, all happy and exasperated.
At one point, Evalynne made a wise crack to him that
he took exception to. He gave her a look consisting of
a truly fake smile, followed by an Eye squint that promised more later. It was classic!
My mother looked truly pleased that everyone was
there. That’s how I’d like to remember her as well.
The Funeral Service is 1/16/05 at 11AM EST (2PM PST). The graveside service will follow in Queens at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, at the grave where my father remains at rest.
Love,
Dad