My beautiful grandma Mary Lou passed away on Tuesday January 11th. She has lived a good and faithful life. We are glad that she is at peace now and free from the trials of this life. I'm very grateful for the 41 years I had with her! I learned much from her Christlike example. I want to be a grandma just like her someday! I miss her more than I can express with words. I am grateful for this opportunity to remember her beautiful life.
Mary Lou Jenkins was born on August 20, 1930, in the LDS Hospital to Elmer Cutler Jenkins and Mildred Gerrard Jenkins. They lived on Yale Avenue in Salt Lake City at the time of her birth.
My grandma shared this news article in her life history, " A Mother's instinct of pending danger saved the life of Mary Lou Jenkins, 3, early today. Shortly before 5 a.m., Mrs. E.C. Jenkins of 1646 Yale Avenue was awakened from a sound sleep. She heard a creaking in the house. Through sense of danger, Mrs. Jenkins leaped from her bed and grabbed Mary Lou from her crib on the the other side of the room. A second later the crib was buried under a ton of brick and plaster." Deseret News, October 30, 1933. Grandma remarked, "This dramatic event was my first memory-- I'm sure that some of the things I recall have been recounted to me by my family throughout my life, but I know that I owe by life to my mother--for she literally snatched me from the door of death. I remember vividly being carried into my brothers room and told to spit the plaster out of my mouth, then being given water. To this day I can feel the chalky, dusty taste of the plaster, that early morning, in my mouth. I also remember being wrapped up in a colorful afghan that my grandmother Gerrard had knit and carried downstairs to see and sit on the seat of the fire engine. Evidently a forty-mile gust of wind hit the gable of our home and an eight by four foot hole in the roof resulted. I had teased my mother to sleep by me for I liked to hold her hand, and this evening she did. At first my family thought maybe an airplane had hit the house, but evidently the wind was the culprit."
This picture of my grandma was taken when she was around four years old.
She looked like a little Shirley Temple at this age. I used to watch Shirley Temple movies with her. Her favorite one was "The Bluebird of Happiness".
"We did spend a year in Hawaii in 1935 while my Father was there for the American Savings and Loan Association. This year was another year filled with vivid memories for me -- memories of going to Punahou nursery school with children of all different nationalities." I believe that my grandma's love of Hawaii started at this young age.
They later returned to Salt Lake. My grandma went to Uintah school from Kindergarten through sixth grade. She made many of her lifelong friends such as Ruth Anderson. My grandma loved to tell me stories about her Kindergarten friends. They still got together in their 80's to go to lunch!
"My relationship with my brother Jerry has always been a good one. I remember tagging around him a lot and his teasing me but we had great loyalty to one another. I do remember one amusing incident when I was about ten and he was fourteen. He was left one evening to babysit with me. I had been playing out in the neighborhood, and when he called and I didn't come right in, he locked me out of the house (this was the one on Yale Avenue in Salt Lake). I climbed carefully through the kitchen window and crept through the hall and met a great blast of water--he had poured a bucket of water on me from the balcony at the top of the stairs. (I don't think we ever told Mother or Dad about this escapade.)
Grandma had a close relationship with her paternal grandfather, Edward Elmer Jenkins. He wrote her this sweet letter in 1942.
Grandma's father Elmer Jenkins was working in Hawaii when the attacks on Pearl Harbor happened. He was not able to come back to Utah to see his family for almost two years.
"In June of 1943, we joined a group of civilian families returning to their homes in Hawaii, boarded the Mariposa with thousands of armed troops, 12 civilians to a stateroom, and went to join my Father in Hawaii. What a wonderful experience for me-- a wonderful reunion with my beloved Father and a tremendous new school-- Punahou. I attended 9th to 12th grade at Punahou, a private college preparatory school, and these years will never be forgotten."
The Star Bulletin wrote this newspaper article about my grandma in High School.
"New friends, Joanne Barber who came over on the Mariposa with me and became my best friend throughout High School and like a sister for life; new experience as secretary of the sophomore class; May Princess (never before a "Haoli" ("white"); track queen, and plays, earning letters in sports, then editor of our High School year book. Experiences that helped me gain confidence, friends that helped me learn love for my fellowman and a life in the sunshine surfing, swimming, and there underlying the whole structure of my life, my loving and supportive parents and the church.
Grandma made the cover of Young Hawaii magazine while she was in High School. She graduated from Punahou on June 11, 1947.
"I don't ever remember doubting that we had the true gospel -- it was there and has been a constant guide to me throughout all my life. I have never had a burning testimony that suddenly became apparent. It has always been a steady, guiding, beautiful part of my life -- always there, never doubted, just a lovely way of life and the right way to live, a heritage from my parents who never sent me to Church but always went with me." "My life has always been filled with great love from my family -- support, understanding, and material blessings and last, but certainly not least, great spiritual strength and guidance from my parents. I have always felt completely and totally loved by them."
"I spent my freshman and sophomore years at the University of Utah --Joanne and I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority (which upset Mother a little as she was a Chi Omega) and made many close friends which have lasted a lifetime. Due to the outstanding education I received at Punahou in Hawaii, I did well at the "U" and made the honorary scholastic society. I was also given the outstanding pledge award in Kappa Kappa Gamma, worked on the year book Utonian, was on several committees for assemblies, Spurs, Cwean and was the Homecoming Queen attendant my sophomore year.
"In the fall of 1949, Ruth Anderson (my grade school friend) and I transferred to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, to finish our college education. I graduated in 1951 in English literature with a minor in history (May I admit that Stanford was much more difficult than the U of Utah had been for me. Those two years were a good experience for us. We had many friends of all religions and many friends from Hawaii were at Stanford."
"In September of 1950, a young man named Dick Wright Thurston entered my life -- an answer to many long hours of prayer, for I knew I must marry of my own faith and in the temple. When a young Naval officer arrived on a blind date ( he knew my sister-in-law Billye Virginia Olsen) to pick me up at Union Residence at Stanford, I knew as I walked down the stairs my prayers had been answered and I would marry him. It did, however, take several months to convince him. We went to a rainy Army-Stanford game and Dick and his friend, in Navy uniforms, yelled for Army all afternoon in the Stanford cheering section. That night I let him kiss me --a first on a first date -- but after all, here was the young man I was going to marry." My Grandpa shared this memory from their first date, "Everything worked out so Saturday we drove to the Union Residence and in a few minutes in walked this very tall, beautiful, and wholesome looking young woman. I was very impressed by her poise and ease. We picked up the other girl, Scotty Sloan, and went to the game and sat in the middle of the the student section where Len and I sang all the West Point songs, yelled all the Army yells and generally embarrassed the girls. It rained during the game and we all got soaked. After the game we found a cleaner who agreed to dry and press our uniforms. Then we got the girls and went to Ricky's for dinner and dancing. After we drove around and the girls told us where to go for a good view. I had enjoyed the day and evening. I liked this girl. I was just back from sea duty in Korea -- I kissed her. Very nice, and she even cooperated."
My grandma Mary Lou's bridal picture was taken in 1951. She was 21 years old at the time.
My grandpa was able to get a request of leave from the army so they could be married. They were sealed on September 1, 1951. The sealing was performed in the Salt Lake City temple, by the apostle, John A. Widtsoe.
I love this picture of my grandparents that was taken at their wedding breakfast at the Hotel Utah Roof restaurant. They also had their wedding reception there.
Grandma and Grandpa on the beach in Pensacola Florida in 1951. It was the beginning of their life in the naval service.
"After Pensacola, we moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where Wright Jenkins Thurston was born on October 6 (his grandfather Jenkins' birthday) 1952."
"After we left Texas, we were stationed at Barber Point in Honolulu, Hawaii, near my parents -- which was wonderful for in the 2 1/2 years we were in Hawaii Dick was in Alaska for six moths one year and in Iwakuni, Japan, for six months. Mother and Dad have always opened their home to me while he was away and endured an over active two year old and the birth of Elizabeth Malia Thurston, April 29, 1955."
The Thurston family was featured in a magazine article. They were living in Monterey California at the time. In 1955 my grandpa started post-graduate school in aeronautical engineering.
"Dick studied hard and just before we left for Cal Tech in Pasadena, Robert Jenkin Thurston joined the family. He was all-American -- born on July 4, 1957." I love this picture of grandma holding my Dad. She always supported him and saw the best in him. Grandma was a loving mother to all three of her children. I admire the way she took care of them all those years that my grandpa was away serving in the Navy.
"We left Pasadena for a flight squadron in Key West, Florida --the end of the earth, it seemed--such wonderful friends and close Church ties there, but Norfolk, Virginia, seemed a haven after Key West.
Both Elizabeth and Wright were in school in Norfolk." "Our children grew so strong living in the mission field. They were different, respected, and thrived on our nomadic life. They had experiences I shall always be grateful for as a parent. They are so strong -- each one -- and have such deep testimonies. We left Maine and reported to Annapolis, Maryland, where Dick taught in the engineering department and later became executive officer of the engineering department."
"Our last two years in the Navy took us to London, England, which was the choice way to end a career since Dick received an offer to come to Brigham Young University as Assistant Dean in the Engineering college -- an answer to my prayers, if not quite his. He loves the Navy." "We all traveled to Berlin and Ireland together and Wright went with his school to Italy and Spain. Rob went with us to Italy and Dick and I went to Spain, Germany and Majorca with my family and Paris with the children and his mother. Mom Thurston went to Rome with Elizabeth, Rob and me. Dick and I also got to go to Greece, Beruit and made a wonderful trip through the Holy Land. We returned from England directly to Provo, Utah, in June of 1970."
I was born on October 11, 1980. I am grandma's 6th grandchild. She was 50 years old when I was born. I love this picture of the two of us. I always felt my grandma's unconditional love and support for me! There is a quote by Jeffrey R. Holland that says, "Not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with--here now, every day." This quote reminds me of my grandma in every way.
This picture was taken of the Thurston family in the Fall of 1980. It was taken in their home on Sumac Avenue in Provo. I have a few happy childhood memories of their home.
I love this three generational picture of my grandma Mary Lou, great grandma Orlean, and I. It was taken in 1981.
Grandma and grandpa came out to visit us in Tyler Texas after Greg was born in August of 1982. We celebrated grandma's 52nd birthday while she was there. She gave me the little doll I am holding. Grandma always spoiled us with presents and love. One of my favorite memories happened when I was around four years old. Grandma took me to see the movie "Song Of The South" with her. I was so little that my movie seat kept folding up with me in it! We both couldn't stop laughing about it! She eventually put her leg on my seat so it would stay put. Grandma brought the memory up several times over the years and we would still laugh about it together.
In 1980 my grandpa was diagnosed with hereditary emphysema. It was a hard diagnosis for him and their lives changed from that day on. Grandma shared, "Life was a struggle for him, but in 1984 we were able to fill a life-long dream...going on a mission. The doctor's requested someplace at sea level ..possibly a visitor's center. Our call came and it was to San Diego to a leadership and proselyting mission. I worried about his being able to fulfill that kind of mission, but the President assured us we could come and do as much as possible. President Rosenberg called a few weeks later and asked us if we would prefer working in a wealthy area or with refugees from Southeast Asia...from Laos. We didn't even have to think about that decision...we both wanted to work with the Laotians and Hmong. We enjoyed our three weeks in the Mission Training Center and, although it was just across the street from our home in Provo we lived with other Senior missionaries at the MTC. It was a wonderful mission filled with spiritual experiences, and the love we felt for these dear people and their love for us, made it all worth the separation from family. Dick and I will always be grateful we had this special mission at this time in our lives. Dick only used oxygen at night, and the Southeast Asians had no idea he was ill." I have several sweet letters that my grandparents sent me while they were serving their mission. I'm thankful for their righteous example of serving a mission!
After their mission, grandma and grandpa decided to move to San Diego. Grandpa could breathe better at sea level. It was a hard decision for them to make to move away from family. We loved being able to visit them in California. Grandma would take us to the beach and Grandpa always paid for us to have a fun day at Disneyland.
Grandma came out to visit for the Jenkins family reunion in the Summer of 1987. It was held at Uncle Jerry's ranch in Caldwell Idaho. Grandma saved my sister Teenie's life during that visit. My sister was two years old and had fallen in the hot tub. My grandma saw her just staring up from the under the water. She reached in and pulled her right out.
I love this picture of Mike and I sitting on grandma's lap.
Grandma had her 40th High School Reunion in the Summer of 1987. She went to the reunion in Hawaii with her best friend Jo Cassidy.
When grandma came to visit she would take me up to Salt Lake to have lunch with her and my great grandparents. She would take me to McDonalds and let me choose whatever I wanted. I always chose the happy meal because it came with a toy.
We loved when grandma would come and stay with us! She watched us in April of 1989 while my parents were in Europe. Grandma has shared with me about how she struggled to get me to all of my dance rehearsals. She said one night she took me to dance and Greg was wearing my Dad's slippers and Teenie was wearing my mom's bathrobe. She always laughed about that funny memory. I remember her buying us Little Caesars pizza and taking us to Gregory's toy store.
Grandma came to visit us in the Summer of 1990. I had a queen sized bed so she used to sleep in my room with me. One time I coughed and kicked in my sleep. She couldn't sleep so she decided to go downstairs to go sleep on the couch. When she went down the stairs the burglar alarm went off and scared her. My Dad came running out of his room with a bat to see what was going on. He was surprised to see grandma standing there! It is another memory that we like to laugh about together.
My grandma loved to shop! Some of my favorite memories are of her taking us shopping at the Naval Base in Miramar. She would buy us whatever we wanted. It was great because there wasn't any tax on the items we bought at the base. I still have a nice suede jacket that she bought me.
Grandma was athletic! She was on a tennis team for many years. She also enjoyed playing tennis with her friends into her 70's. She shared with me what she refers to as her tennis drink. It is orange juice mixed with cranberry juice. I think of her every time I drink it.
Grandma came out to visit in the spring of 1992. We went to visit the Thurston family graves on memorial day.
We went to visit grandma and grandpa in the Summer of 1992. I remember how exciting the ride down to CA was because of the anticipation of seeing our grandparents. Grandma would have presents waiting for us when we got there. We could always look forward to a delicious homecooked meal. Our favorite was her sticky rice and an eggy with a hat on top.
Grandma came to celebrate great grandma's 93rd birthday on November 8, 1992.
Grandma shared this in her journal, "I returned to Salt Lake once a month for a week for three years to help love Mom and Dad...how valiantly they "endured to the end". On March 3 and March 5, 1993, they both passed away. Rob had visited their condo on a Sunday evening, and Dad asked him to give them a blessing of release from this life. What a beautiful time...the miracle of their passing away two days a part will inspire me forever. I was there with them as my brother, Jerry, and it was such a peaceful and loving time. I will always be grateful for this gift...Dad waiting for Mom to die before he followed her".
"The funeral was beautiful...Hawaiian flowers on their twin caskets and Jerry and I spoke, Rob gave the eulogy, Elizabeth played their beloved Hawaiian music, and Wright dedicated their graves."
I'm grateful I had the opportunity to know my great grandparents. I was thirteen when they passed away. I will always remember the kindness that they showed me. Great grandpa would give me a "touch of love" which was a dollar bill when I came to visit. Grandma Great would give us ice cream and cookies.
Grandma was so sweet and patient with my autistic brother Greg. I love this picture taken of the two of them in 1993. Grandma kept her parents condo in Salt Lake and stayed there when she came to visit. We had fun swimming at the pool there. Grandma shared these thoughts about Greg, "Greg, our special grandchild, has taught us all the meaning of unconditional love. He has Tuberous Sclerosis which has left him mentally handicapped, but he has truly been a blessing for us all."
Grandma and Grandpa lived in the La Jolla area of San Diego. Their friend Stan Smith was one of the architects for the San Diego Temple. They watched the progress as it was being built. Both grandma and grandpa had the blessing of working in the temple there.
In the Summer of 1994 we were able to be in California at the same time as our Merrell cousins. Our favorite spot to hang out was in grandma's room! We would take turns sleeping in there by her at night. I remember watching Perry Mason with her until I fell asleep. Grandma taught us all how to play Mexican Train and Skipbo. She also would have crafts for us to work on together. I'm grateful to grandma for making this time with our cousins happen each summer!
We spent Christmas 1997 in CA with grandma and grandpa. Teenie and I gave grandma a glass bird and she loved it so much that she cried. It was special celebrating with them that year. Dad was engaged to Loni at the time. They got sealed in the San Diego temple on May 23, 1998. We are happy to have Loni in the family! Grandma said, "Rob married Loni Webster this May, 1998 and what a blessing it has been in their lives and mine also. Loni is an answer to my prayers."
I became engaged to Kevin Foster in March of 2001. Grandma met us at the airport the day after. Her love, kindness, and acceptance of Kev has meant a lot to me. Kev shared these thoughts about grandma, "I look back over the last 20 years that I have been a part of the Thurston family and am so grateful for all the memories. Most involve you one way or another. Such a wonderful legacy. From visits to see you and Grandpa Dick in San Diego, to family gatherings at your condo (with an incredible view) they are cherished. I love how you spoil all your grandkids and great grandkids. They love you so much and enjoy seeing you, playing in your toy room, eating all your yummy treats, and playing in your stairwell/elevator. Lisa especially loves spending time with you and all the visits. She always comes home with a huge smile on her faces and tells me all about your visits each time. She loves spending time with her grandma! You mean so much to her and I am grateful for that. I am grateful for all your love and support over the years myself. Your generosity and willingness to love/serve all of your family is something I will strive to emulate for the rest of my life."
Grandma and Grandpa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August of 2001! We had a family reunion at their place in La Jolla. It was great to spend time with all the cousins and family. We had food ordered in from all our favorite places such as Dakine. We went to the beach, Disneyland, and the Naval base. One of the highlights was the family skit we put on all about grandma and grandpas life together.
Our daughter Mckenna Rose Foster was born June 19, 2002. She is grandma's 4th great grandchild. Grandma met Kenna for the first time in July at Stephanie Merrells wedding. I love this picture of four generations of Thurston women. My grandma looked so beautiful that day! Her dress brought out the bright blue in her eyes.
We were able to visit my grandparents in December of 2002 in California. Grandma bought matching Christmas dresses for both Kenna and Kayley. Kenna loves spending time with her grandma great!
My friends Jan, Danielle, and I went to San Diego in April of 2003 for our friend Liz's wedding. We stayed with grandma and grandpa. One of the days we had a picnic at the beach.
We were happy to have grandma there for Mike's mission farewell in May of 2003. It also happened to be mother's day too! Grandma has always been like a mother to Greg, Mike, Teenie, and me. Especially all these years since our own mom passed away in 1996.
Our Grandpa passed away on September 17, 2003. I admire the loving way my grandma took care of my grandpa for all those years as his health declined. I know that it wasn't easy and she sacrificed a lot to be there for him. Grandma shared these thoughts about grandpa, "Dick, I want you to know that our life has been such a good one and full one. We have had so many truly wonderful experiences. Heavenly Father has blessed us abundantly...with family and friends, and material goods too. If I could have changed anything in our life, I would have wanted you to have good health so you could achieve all that you wanted to. You are an inspiration to us all...always know that I love you and thank Heavenly Father morning and night for our wonderful life together."
Grandma sold her home in San Diego and moved into her condo in Salt Lake. We were happy to have her living close by us again. We celebrated grandma's 74th birthday Hawaiian style. The three youngest helped her blow out her birthday candles.
Grandma came to visit me in December of 2004 and met Parker for the first time. Every time I had a baby she would make me a meatloaf that I could put in the freezer and heat up when I needed it. Grandma's meatloaf is one of my favorite meals and I still make it for my family.
I love this picture of grandma with Kayley and her "great grandies" as she lovingly called them. One of my favorite traditions is to spend Easter Sunday at grandma's. We have a yummy ham and lamb dinner. Grandma was always sweet to host it at her house. She always had lots of ice cream and treats for the kids.
Grandma married Steve Smoot on May 13, 2006! We are grateful to call him our "bonus grandpa". I will never forget how lovingly he took care of my grandma. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I have never seen my grandma so happy as she was during her years with Steve.
Grandma was so loving with all of my kids. She was happy to meet and hold Halle in the Spring of 2007. Once when Halle was around four years old she looked up at grandma and asked, "Grandma, why are there cracks on your face?" We all laughed about that one. Another memory was when Halle was around 10. Grandma gave her some birthday money while we were there visiting. Halle didn't want anything to happen to her money so she put it in one of grandma's vases. Grandma discovered the money a few days later when she was cleaning. She told Halle that her money would be there waiting for her when she came back to visit. Every year after that, grandma would put Halle's birthday money in the vase for her.
We got together in December of 2008 for our Thurston family Christmas party. We went to a local restaurant called Cowboy Grub. Then we went back to grandma's to open presents. I took this great picture of everyone shouting Hip, Hip, Hooray!
We celebrated Easter 2009 at grandma's house. We took this picture of grandma and Steve with the kids. Brady and Hailey were just babies at the time and I was pregnant with Hayden.
We stopped by to see Grandma and Steve on Thanksgiving day 2009. Grandma and Hayden even had matching outfits that day. Hayden shared these memories about grandma, "I love coming to see you every time. I love the elevator and water fountain, and the toys. It is fun! But most of all I love you! "
We had a family reunion in Nauvoo in June of 2010. I loved all the time I got to spend with my Iowa cousins and see the church sites. Grandma paid for our entire family of six to fly out there.
One of the highlights for me was being able to go to the temple with grandma, Steve, and some of my cousins. The Nauvoo temple is beautiful and I love all the history of the original structure.
Kenna was baptized on July 3, 2010. She was happy to have her great grandparents there for her special day. Kenna was baptized in the same white eyelet dress that I wore on my baptism day. Grandma had purchased the dress in England for me in the 1980's.
We celebrated grandma's 80th birthday at The Towne Club in Salt Lake. She looked beautiful wearing her white Hawaiian Lei. It was a fun night of celebrating her!
Grandma came to celebrate my 29th birthday with me in October of 2010. I loved having her there for many of my birthday parties!
Grandma and Steve came out to visit us at our house after Addy was born. They brought us Mexcian food from our favorite place Cafe Elago. She loved being able to hold newborn Addy. I loved seeing how sweet she was with all of my five babies!
We were able to go to grandma's to celebrate Easter in April of 2012. Grandpa Steve was not doing well at this time. He was diagnosed with bone cancer a few months earlier.
Our bonus grandpa passed away on May 16, 2012. It was a sad time for everyone, especially grandma.
My heart ached for her. She always tried to stay optimistic but I knew that she was hurting on the inside. During that same time, I had broken my foot and was on crutches for several months. Grandma paid to have cleaning ladies come out to my house. It was such a thoughtful gift and really helped me! Grandma made the time to serve me even though she was grieving.
Teenie came to visit from NY in January of 2013. Grandma took us and our cousin Kate to dinner. We went back to her place to hang out. This fuzzy blue blanket of grandma's was everyone's favorite!
I took this picture of grandma and Parker on Easter Sunday 2013. Grandma loved the picture and made it her profile picture on Instragram. Parker shared these thoughts about grandma, "I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me in my life. I really appreciate all the stuff you allowed me to do in your apartment, like but not limited to: storming the playroom, leaving weird notes in the mail delivery box, letting Mckenna, Kayley, and I make forts underneath the desk and thank you especially for letting me play on your iPad for countless hours while you and my mom talked.
I am grateful for the opportunity that we have each year to go visit the graves and go to Olive Garden afterward. None of that would be possible if it wasn't for you. Thank you for setting the example for me to show Christ-like love to everybody."
We went to visit the graves on Memorial Day 2013. Then we went to lunch at Olive Garden. Grandma always paid for the whole family. She told everyone that they could get whatever they wanted, which meant even drinks, appetizers, and desserts. The bill usually ended up being around 300 dollars. It was another way that grandma showed her love to all of us.
We celebrated grandma's 83rd birthday on August 20, 2013! Grandma was looking beautiful as always.
We got together on July 4, 2014 to celebrate my Dad's birthday. It was nice having my Aunt Elizabeth here to celebrate with us. She is grandma's only daughter. She has a sweet and loving nature just like grandma! She came out to visit often as grandma's health declined. I remember thanking her for taking such good care of grandma. She sweetly said, "She is easy to love."
I was excited to give grandma her gift from me on Christmas Eve 2014. I had made her a photobook about the years she had together with Steve. I gave it to her with a box of tissues. She loved her book and expressed her gratitude about it often. This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us!
Halle was baptized on March 7, 2015. We were happy to have grandma there with us!
We took this picture of grandma with her "great grandies" on memorial day 2015. Grandma had brought dollar bills to the cemetery to give all the kids. It was a tradition that started with her dad, Elmer Jenkins, called a touch of love.
We spent Thanksgiving Day 2015 at Wright and Janetts house. It was good to be there with most of our extended family.
We took these cute pictures with Grandma. She has 41 great-grandchildren and loved them all!
She has fifteen grandkids. If you ask any of us we would all say that we felt like we were grandma's favorite. She had a gift for loving us all individually and making us feel important.
Addy and I went to visit grandma in June of 2016. A visit with grandma was never complete until we had a bowl of ice cream. I told grandma that I liked her white ice cream bowls. She sent me home with the whole set. Every time I use them I think of her.
Addy shared these sweet thoughts about her Grandma Great.
We got together in August of 2016 to celebrate grandma's 86th birthday. I made her a fruit pizza for dessert. I even used some of the fresh peaches from my tree.
Sleepovers at grandma's are the best! I was able to go up on September 9, 2016. We talked and watched the show "Murder She Wrote" until midnight. Grandma left me a surprise of chocolate covered raisins on the bed. As we sat and had breakfast together I read the crosstitched quote on the wall that says, "There's no place like home except grandma's house". I echo those sentiments.
We stopped by to see grandma on December 10, 2016. The girls dressed up and put on a play for us. Grandma always delighted in watching them perform for us.
Dad and Loni were out of town for Christmas that year so we got together on January 2, 2017 to celebrate. Hayden took this picture of grandma and I and I love it. We both were so happy. Some of my favorite memories with grandma were reminiscing and laughing together. Her laugh was contagious!
We went to visit grandmas on February 11, 2017. She had fun Valentine's treats for all the kids. We all have great memories of time spent together in grandma's kitchen.
All the women in the family got together on June 8, 2017 for Anna's wedding shower. We had a nice lunch at The Towne Club and then Anna opened up her shower gifts. I loved being with my grandma, aunts, cousins, and sister. I was happy to have Kenna there with us too.
We went to Anna's wedding reception on June 14, 2017. Grandma looked beautiful that night. Blue was her favorite color. The pearls she is wearing in this picture she wanted me to have when she passed away. I love them and will think of her every time that I wear them.
We went to grandma' to celebrate my 37th birthday on October 15, 2017. Grandma had this birthday tiara for me to wear. She always made my birthday's special and did things so I would feel loved.
Grandma gave Kev and I some tickets to see a concert at Temple Square on November 25, 2017. We met up with her after the concert. She went to the concert with her friend Eldon. Grandma always had many admirers. She did confide in me that she didn't feel like getting married at this point in her life.
I went to visit grandma on February 16, 2018. I brought her a waffle from my favorite dessert place called Waffle Luv. She said it was the best waffle she had ever tasted. I brought her a waffle many times after this.
One of my favorite family traditions was Easter Sunday at grandma's house. It is a tradition that has been taking place since my childhood.
I captured this sweet moment of grandma with my nephew Brady. I love the way she is looking at him and listening intently to what he was saying.
I went up to grandma's to have lunch with her to celebrate her birthday on August 21, 2018. I picked up lunch for us from Hire's Big H. Grandma introduced me to their Reuben sandwich and we both love them. Her sweet caregiver Tamie took this picture of us.
My girls and I had the amazing opportunity to go to the General Women's Meeting at the conference center in September of 2018. We went over to grandma's house afterwards. She had ice cream and cookies for all of us.
We went to Grandma's on December 21, 2019. We were able to give her a Christmas gift and visit with her. We didn't have any idea what the year 2020 and the pandemic would bring. It was really hard for me not to go visit grandma whenever I wanted. Our main goal was to keep her healthy and safe. I was able to call and Marco Polo back and forth with her that year. Another way we kept in touch was through Instagram. Grandma loved being able to see pictures of the kids when she couldn't be with them in person. She left sweet comments on every post I did on Instagram. She did this for everyone in the family.
My sweet grandma turned 90 years old on August 20, 2020. My Dad and Uncle Wright were able to have dinner with her.
The rest of us did a drive by birthday party. Grandma was out in front of her apartment complex. We wished her a happy birthday from our cars and dropped off gifts for her. It was definitely a unique birthday party but grandma felt loved and that was most important. She even had popsicles and cupcakes for everyone. We love grandma and are grateful for every year she is here with us!
Kenna and I were able to visit grandma on May 8, 2021! It was the first time in over a year I was able to not wear a mask and give her a hug. I'm very grateful that she has stayed healthy during this pandemic. We had the best time talking and eating ice cream. I'm very grateful to have a grandma like her!
On Memorial Day May 31, 2021 we made our yearly visit to the family graves and then lunch at Olive Garden. Grandma was feeling up to having everyone come over afterwards. It was the highlight of the day to be able to spend time with her!
Mckenna is grandma's first great grandchild to go on a mission! We went to visit grandma on Kenna's p-day which was July 16, 2021. Kenna shared these thoughts about grandma, "My great grandma has always been the coolest lady ever. She commented on every Instagram post I ever made (she's 91 people!), sent me emails consistently, and she's so cool she even guessed that I would serve my mission in England. A lot of memories have been running through my mind today. She took me to the beach in San Diego when I was a baby, she picked my mom and I up from the airport when I was 5 and took us to her house for a sleepover and Shirley Temple movie marathon, one time she lovingly got after me for digging through her closet when I was little and getting into things I shouldn't have, she fed me Gelato and Oreo's every time I saw her, she got worried every time I would wiggle through her apartment milk door as a kid, she always approved and admired my boyfriends, and she flew me to Nauvoo when I was 7 and bought me a little blue and gray ceramic vase from the Joseph Smith house just because I wanted it. Her and I both knew that she most likely wouldn't live until the end of my mission, and so this picture was our goodbye for 18 months, and now it's become our goodbye picture from earth. I am so thankful for this picture and the chance I had to go see her before I left for England. I wish I had hugged her a little tighter and longer this day, but I know I'll get to hug her again soon. I love you Grandma Smoot. It's gonna be hard not getting emails from you anymore."
Grandma turned 91 years old on August 20, 2021. I wanted to go see her on her birthday but she was not feeling up to having any visitors. Grandma had many health problems going on her last few months of life. She never complained about them and wanted to spend her time cheering up everyone around her. Grandma shared these sentiments about her mom, "I remember another time that my mother held my hand. As roles reversed and my mother lay paralyzed on one side by a stroke, I often lay on the other bed by her and held her hand...a symbol of gratefulness and love shown by a mother and daughter." In this picture grandma has my hand clasped in both of hers. It is also a beautiful symbol of love between a grandmother and granddaughter.
I took Addy up to see Grandma Great on October 30, 2021. I wanted my kids to each have some one on one time with her. I love this picture of the two of them. Grandma let her hair go white the last year of her life. She reminds me so much of her mother Mildred with her hair like this. It is remarkable that I used to come visit my great grandparents in this home over 25 years ago. Now my kids come to visit their great grandma here.
Hayden and I went up to see grandma on November 28, 2021. We gave her the Christmas present I made for her early. I wanted her to be able to enjoy it. It was a blanket that had pictures of her and us printed on it. She loved looking at all the pictures while we were there.
We had the blessing of going to visit my grandma on December 25, 2021. She was so happy to see us and had treats for all the kids. This is the last beautiful memory that I have of being able to talk with my grandma. Grandma had a stroke in the night about a week after we went to see her. I went up to say my goodbyes on Monday January 3rd. It was really hard and emotional for me. I love my grandma very much and I never wanted to have to say goodbye. Grandma passed away on Tuesday January 11, 2021. We are happy for grandma and that she is at peace and with all her family that has already passed on. It is sad for us not having her here. She brought so much happiness to all of us! She was an angel to us here on this earth and I know she is an angel watching over us now.
Grandma's funeral was on Saturday January 15, 2021. I loved this beautiful Hawaiian flower arrangement that said Mom and Grandma.
The viewing was at Larkin cemetery in Salt Lake. Kev took this picture of Hayden.
I love this picture that Kev took of me with my sister's Kayley and Teenie. I was so thankful that Teenie was able to be here for the funeral. It brought me comfort to spend time with her. I bought Teenie, Kayley, and I flower lei's to wear to the funeral. The funeral service was also at the memorial building at Larkin. I enjoyed hearing the memories that were shared of grandma and the way she impacted everyone's life for good. I was asked to say the closing prayer that day. My favorite part of the funeral was the sweet Polynesian women that sang the Hawaiian farewell song for my grandma and all of us.
All of us cousins were pallbearers that day. I took this picture of Teenie helping carry the casket.
The sweet Polynesian women that took care of my grandma made flower lei's for all the sons and daughters. It was also thoughtful of them to include the bonus sons and daughters from Grandpa Steve's family.
I'm thankful that Kev and the kids were able to be there with me. We were missing Kenna who was not able to be there since she is on her mission in England right now. She was given permission to watch the funeral service on zoom. It was hard knowing she was sad and not be able to give her a hug and comfort her. My Aunt Janett told me that if I prayed that she would get a hug my prayer would be answered. She taught me that the righteous prayers of a mission mom are always answered by a loving Heavenly Father.
I was able to have a picture taken with my brother and sister's. We were missing not having Greg there with us. He gets overwhelmed with large groups of people.
It was nice to spend some time talking with our Aunty Helen. I hadn't seen her in years.
It was also a tender mercy to see my best friend Marilee. She is married to my cousin Peter. They live in Iowa and I hadn't see them since before 2020. My grandma thought of everything and had set money aside to fly everyone in from out of the state.
I loved being able to spend time with my cousins! It is thanks to grandma that I have close relationships with all of them.
I took off my flower lei and laid it on my grandma's coffin to honor her. Grandma has always been a great blessing in my life! She has supported me through all my good times and has been there for me in my trials. She has been a mother to me all these years since my own mom passed away. I will miss her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh, her loving nature, and her hugs. I love you grandma!!
