Hi Erin, It’s Granny

We lost a good one. The past weekend my family gathered to say goodbye to our brave matriarch.

Granny was the most brutally honest person I have ever known. As my uncle put it “she called a spade. A spade.” I never had to guess what she thought, because she would tell me immediately. This included her informing me at age three that I never shut up. Which if you knew me then, she was not wrong. I grew to enjoy her candid commentary because I knew exactly where to go if I needed honest advice.

Granny was also the most competitive person. The majority of my memories with her involve a heated game of Gin Rummy or Rummikub. I vividly remember when she got mad at my Dad for letting me win a round of go fish. In his defense, I was five years old… but she was right no mercy should have been given. To this day, I would rather have someone mercy rule me than them take it easy on me or give me an unfair advantage. Of course I would prefer to ruthlessly win fair and square… her competitive nature may have rubbed off on me a smidge.

Granny was a lot of things but what she loved most was being a Mom, Granny, and Great Granny. My dad pointed out that she always started her calls or voicemails with Hi Erin, it’s Granny. Or if she was calling my Dad, it was Hi Mike, it’s your Mom. I always thought well duh I have caller ID and have your number saved. But I think she just like reiterating her role in our lives. Because she was so proud of that title.

Granny, thank you for raising my Dad and the rest of the family into the people we are today. My Dad has the same wit and sense of humor. His steadfast faith is a reflection of the example you set. He is a proud military brat and officer who admires the core values and discipline taught through military training. Just like your home on Eagle Lane, the American flag is always flying and welcomes me home when I pull into the driveway. Last but not least he even inherited your sweet tooth.

As I walked into the Church, with one hand on your casket along with my family making up the funeral procession. I felt the strength of us as a whole. We are all a reflection of you in some way. You were able to somehow turn three generations of adrenaline junkies into this calm force to be reckon with. I am so thankful to call this crew my family and be a part of the legacy you helped create. I hope you are up there in the cockpit with Papa Pete breaking sound barriers and raising a black bear cub with Pop on Lake Oscawana.

I promise to pursue my passions and not be afraid to speak my mind. I promise to follow my heart. But most importantly I promise to do my best to keep my dad humbled through means of card games.

I hope your bulk purchases are causing a chuckle up there in heaven. As we figure out what to do with your stockpile of toilet paper, lifetime supply of jelly beans, and abundant stash of cleaning supplies. But don’t worry, your mink coat found a good home with Kevin.

I still have the voicemail saved from when you found out I had made my college decision. While I was contemplating where to attend college, you would call me and remind me how much you disliked the mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler. But you knew the University of Portland was where I wanted to be and celebrated with me in that moment, before continuing to share your thoughts of my city mayor for the next four years. So this one is for you Granny…Ted Wheeler YOU SUCK!!!

Granny, I hope all your prayers have been answered as well 🕊

Rest Easy,

Erin, your granddaughter

P.S. Some peoples biggest fear is marrying into a family that does 5K on Thanksgiving… Well my family does that as well as 10K on funeral days. Future husband you have been warned.