Luke, Kellie, Gabrie and Livvy

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Granny's funeral

We had Granny's funeral in December, it was a beautiful service at the mortuary with lots of family, friends and ward members. I wish I could remember everything that was said but each of her kids spoke, my cousin Tiffany read a letter from my Uncle Larry who couldn't be there, because of his health he couldn't travel from New York. Seth and Jen sang "Bring Him Home" but switched it to "her." All of the great-grandkids from my family sang "Sing your way home". The part I hope to remember the most was what her Bishop said, he talked about how the priests in their ward would bring her the sacrament each week and how respectful and thoughtful she was when she took it, and how that impacted the young men in their ward. I wish I remembered exactly what he said, unfortunately I don't, but that was message. Granny often wondered why she was still around, why everyone else she knew had died but she hadn't. I think that that experience of partaking of the sacrament and teaching by example is one of the many reasons.

After the funeral some of us drove up to Pocatello, Idaho for the burial. From our family just my parents, Seth, Gabriella, and I went. I thought it would be important for Gabriella to understand and have that closure.

A boy who grew up in our ward in South Jordan was actually the one who came from the mortuary when she died and then also to the burial. My mom said that she was so grateful that it was him because after she died it was "like a giving her body to a friend." It was definitely one of many tender mercies from the Lord.

Dad (Dennis), Aunt Susan, Katie (Susan's daughter), Nathaniel and JJ (Joan's sons) and Seth carried the casket.

Dad dedicated the grave.

Aunt Susan and Katie

Nathaniel

Seth

Mom, Gabriella and Seth, looking at the head stone.

Granny had said that she wanted us to eat at "Elmer's" after she was buried, so we did! It was where they went to celebrate special occasions when they lived here.

Aunt Joan (Haven) and her kids, JJ and his wife Ann, Joan, Nathaniel and Annie.

Seth, Mom, Gabriella (In Granny's red hats:), Dad, Tiffany, Aunt Laurie

Katie, Aunt Susan, Me and Gabriella

After Granny died the grand kids and great-grand kids were allowed to pick some things from her room to remember her by. One thing I took was her pearl necklace (I am wearing it in the picture), it is nice to have a piece of her.

Granny

1919 - 2015

After 96.5 mortal years, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend returned home to her Father in Heaven on November 29, 2015.

Alice was born on May 5, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois, to William Olivier and Elfrieda Witzke. She married Lawrence Alden Williams on June 8, 1940, in Jerome, Idaho. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 27, 1957. Together they raised five children.

In the early 1960s, while living in Pocatello, Idaho, Alice was hired as a telephone switchboard operator at First Security Bank. She advanced through the ranks of operations officer, commercial loan officer, and branch manager. She was one of the first women to become a bank officer for FSB. She was a member of several women's organizations and served as president of the Soroptimist Club of Pocatello.

After retirement, Alice moved to Utah to be near her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed tole painting, genealogy, historical fiction, and irises. An active member of the LDS Church, she served a mission to the Family History Library. She inspired her children to get the college education that she did not have, but very much wanted. She had a joyful nature and a great sense of humor. Alice quickly made friends wherever she lived.

She is survived by her five children, Lawrence Williams, Jr., Dennis (Karen) Williams, Susan Williams Boyes, Joan (Boyd) Haven, and Laurie Williams; sister, June Olivier Whipple; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter JoAnne, and daughter-in-law Linda Ludlow Williams.

The family is grateful to Hospice for Utah for their excellent service. Alice was very fond of her nurse, Michael, and caregiver, Tiaré. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to Hospice for Utah. We are also deeply appreciative of the tender care, lovingly given, by Karen Williams during the many years that Alice shared her home.

Alice will be greatly missed here on earth yet we are confident a joyful reunion is taking place with Lawrence and dear ones who have departed. She knew we loved her and we knew she loved us. Love is eternal. We shall laugh together again.

Services will be December 12, 2015 at 11 am at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary located at 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held December 11, 2015 from 6-7 pm and again from 10-10:45 am prior to the service at Jenkins-Soffe . Interment and graveside service will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Pocatello, Idaho. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.

Published in Deseret News on Dec. 6, 2015

Some of my favorite pictures of Granny

October 2011 (I think)- She loved her witch hat and wore it every Halloween

October 2012- She was so proud and excited to be the Great-Grandmother to our twins. She had my dad print out this picture so she could take it to the Senior Center to show all her friends.

Nov 2014- I love this picture of me and her!

The few months prior to Granny's passing had been pretty rough for her. Among other things she was having a hard time eating without choking and was so scared she would die choking, I was so glad that she did not. My mom took care of her the whole time and I know Granny was beyond grateful for her and often would sing her praises.We debated not going to California but we just didn't know what to expect. The Sunday before we left for California (for Thanksgiving with Spencer and Mayra) we went over to my parents house to say good-bye to Granny just in case. I am so glad we did because that was one of the last times she was really conscience and aware. I hugged her and she held my hand and told me she loved me and I told her how much we loved her. She told Luke he was good husband and father. Dana also gave her a blessing that night that was very sweet. She passed away the following Sunday night, November 29, 2015. My Dad called to tell us while we were driving home. I was grateful she was finally released from this life because she was suffering a lot and was ready to move on but we miss her spunk and sass! When you asked how she was doing she would say "fat and sassy!"

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Thanksgiving in California

Spencer and Mayra invited us to their house for Thanksgiving and we jumped at the chance!

On Tuesday night we stopped overnight in Las Vegas and then went the the rest of the way to Temecula the next morning. They just moved back to California a few months before, after being in Virginia for a couple years. We had lots of fun! Besides Thanksgiving we did some Black Friday/Thursday night shopping, saw a movie, played games, went to the beach, explored Coronado Island and went out to dinner in Old Town San Diego.

Ali and Anna had set up fun Thanksgiving dinner for their's and Gabrie and Livvy's dolls

Some day Liam might not appreciate this picture!

Spencer and Mayra were great cooks and made an excellent Thanksgiving dinner for us!

The girls

The boys

Liam wanted the drumstick!

Playing with cousins

Movie and the mall! The kids each got a stuffed animal, Dash got a dog, a little brown dog with a pink bow, which has carried with him now for 6 months, it's name is "Blown Dog" - pronounced bl-oww-n dog :) Liam picked an owl, Livvy a kitty and Gabrie a koala.

On Saturday we went to the beach on Coronado Island, and it was awesome! There was Christmas music playing from the resort behind us and the weather warm enough to play in the sand and water.

Me and Mayra