My Grandmother

Those who knew my Grandmother would appreciate this picture. She didn't always smile for the camera and wasn't big on spontaneous displays of affection. She was fairly old school and held true to the traditional English values of the WASP. I once said to her "Grandma I don't think I'll ever meet someone and get married" and she responded with "Maybe you won't. It's not all it's cracked up to be you know." Not exactly cuddly material. But then 6 months later I received the most beautiful knit blanket she laboured over- because I happened to mention in passing how much I would like one. She was there when it mattered and you could always count on her to do what was right and fair.

Easily some of my best memories growing up were the summers I spent in New Brunswick at her house in Moncton. My grandparents would take us to the beach, strawberry picking, blueberry picking, send us to tennis lessons and sailing. We had ice cream for dessert every night and she would cart us all around the Maritimes to see plays in PEI and the sand dunes in Bouctouche. She would sit patiently as we put on plays or dances or lip syncs and even though there was Church every Sunday morning, there was also cards every Friday night.

And the memories continued to build as we became adults, though the relationship shifted slightly. She was still proper but there was an easier stream of communication as she would confide in me things she wouldn't have when I was younger. (mostly making fun of her husbands relatives!)

She left behind a legacy of 5 children (plus 4 in-laws), 8 grandchildren (plus two in-laws) and 2 great grandchildren. We are a part of her and she is a part of us. And we will not forget her.

Helen J. Mitton 1924-2011.