In Loving Memory

Barbra Rose Rich

1934-2012

My beloved Grandma Rich passed away on June 30, 2012. She had a long and hard last couple of months, having a large cancerous tumor removed and going through chemotherapy. As much as she loved her family, she was in a lot of pain and knew that her time was coming. A lot of the family was able to gather to be with her before she finally passed. 

My grandma was such a beautiful and delightful woman. Her contagious laugh is one of the strongest memories I have of her. I always loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Idaho...as I have mentioned several times in this blog. The yard was a child's paradise. The house was so elegant...I remember thinking they lived in a mansion. Grandma was so great to let us play make-up and dress ups, each whatever goodies and treats we wanted, and was always willing to play games with us (her favorite game being Scum). 

Her funeral was on Saturday, July 7th in Shelley, Idaho. Charlie was just over two weeks old, so Jason and I were nervous about making a weekend trip with him...not knowing how he would behave. But we decided it was definitely worth braving the trip. It meant a lot to both of us to be able to attend the services. So we headed to Idaho on Friday afternoon. Lucky for us, Charlie slept the whole way there. We were able to make it in time for the viewing and for our special family prayer.

That evening, Charlie was not a good sleeping baby. He kept crying and crying into the early hours of the morning. Jason and I were especially frantic since family members were sleeping in rooms just next to us. It was a terrible night!

But here are some sleeping Charlie shots:

 

The next morning we made it in time for the lovely funeral service. We were very nervous that Charlie would cry during the service (and we were trapped in the middle of pew at the front of the chapel...so we had no easy escape access). But to our surprise, he stayed relatively quiet, and he fell asleep for the second half...so we were really able to enjoy it at that point.

 

After the service, we took family pictures, had a luncheon in the cultural hall, and then we made the hour drive to the Parker Cemetery (where Grandma would be laid to rest).

Sorry, no digital copies...so I had to take pictures of the pictures...

Aunt Erin holding Charlie - both of my grandmothers were actually good friends in college

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house...just like the good old days. This was the first time in ten years or so that EVERYONE was there. Cousins were jumping on the tramp, swinging, passing balls around, and playing soccer. We even played Annie I Over. It was such a fun afternoon...a memory I will hold dear to my heart. Charlie did so well, sleeping in arms of the many volunteers. To finish up the day right, many of us spent the evening in the basement playing games like "What If", Signs, and Sounds, until two in the morning. It really felt like the way it used to be. 

It is hard knowing Grandma will no longer be there when we visit. And with my grandpa's health failing as well, who knows how long these family get-togethers will continue? Grandma is certainly loved and missed by all!

Here are a few more pictures in her memory:

Wasn't my grandpa handsome as well?

 

Grandma and Grandpa with me and Kendra - the first granddaughters

Love you Grandma!