This is my grandmother, Mary.
She died on Thursday night at about 7.45pm at the age of 90. The following pictures are all from her 90th birthday party earlier this year. They are the only pictures I have taken of her.
My grandmother was a strong woman. Growing up in country Australia post World War One wouldn’t have been easy anyway, but breaking her back after falling off a horse guaranteed a tough go of it. Putting her on a horse that was known to be jumpy and likely to buck was only meant to be a joke, but left her with a broken back, effectively paralysed from the waist down at the age of 18 or 19. She went on to have five children (the youngest is missing from this photo).
On Tuesday evening I went to the hospital late, with many immediate family already there. It was a familiar scene, us gathered around watching her laboured breathing. I, at least, was both saddened and encouraged by any movement, or attempt to open her eyes to see us stroking her hand, white hair or simply watching in silence. Earlier in the year we gathered at the hospital when she was in a similar position. She was given 12 hours to live then but, after everyone had been to see her one last time, she started to pick up, didn’t let go and kept going strong until this week.
The things I remember about Grandma? More recently, having a beer with lunch at the nursing home. Older memories are of her house at Hawthorne, demolished and replaced by units now. Climbing the tree in the front yard at the risk of a swipe from her walking cane. Eating her homemade ginger biscuits or getting some sweets. Exploring the garden or the garage. Pulling out the 50-year-old toy suitcases from under the bed in the sunroom to make a mess and have some fun.
Grandma was a lot of fun. She was quick-witted and didn’t hesitate in administering a tongue-lashing, whether it be to one of her nine grandchildren for not minding their manners, or to my father. Also for not minding his manners. This is my immediate family at Grandma’s 90th.
The funeral will be next Thursday.
7 comments ↓
I’m so sorry. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
She was. I didn’t say in the post, but it’s not so terrible she didn’t live on. Her own mother, my great-grandmother, lived till she was 106, but not functionally. I think it would have just become more and more difficult to enjoy any more of a life that was already less than satisfying.
:) Ahhh. After the last time grandma was within hours of death, my sister said to her later, ‘I’m so glad you’re still alive grandma’.
To which she replied, ‘Why?!’ hehe. She’ll be happier now.
Sorry to hear it, fella.
Hope it all goes well. It’s a shame she won’t be there for your big day.
Sad to hear (or read) it dave. Your brother (first left in the group pic) looks so much like you. Or you look so much like your brother. That’s if it is your brother.
Thanks Bren.
Dan, that is definitely my brother.
Hey Dave, long time… sorry to come back to such sad news. My grandmother passed away six months ago, at the age of 91… so I think I know the feeling — sorry to lose someone so special, but still marveling at their long lives and legacy. Best wishes to you.
Thanks Michael.
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