I’ve written two posts this week. This one is some memories of my great grandma. If you go to the next post, you’ll see pictures from our past week.
My great grandma (Becca’s great great grandma) went home to be with the Lord Monday morning. Great Grandma was 102 and was happily anticipating heaven. She told my parents the last time they visited with her that “the next time I’ll see you will be in heaven.” We were able to visit with my Great Grandma last summer so she could meet her very first great great granddaughter. I’m very thankful we were able to make the trip and make a few memories for Becca to see when she’s older.
I’d like to take a little time to remember my great grandma. Growing up we always visited Great Grandma in the spring to plant tomatoes and other plants in her garden. She would always feed us egg salad sandwiches. At Halloween, my dad would take us trick-or-treating to Great Grandma’s, so we could show her our costumes. She gave out lollypops with smile faces on them. Great Grandma started the Jack Corner Basket at Thanksgiving – she always brought a small gift for everyone at the meal. One year she wrote a story for everyone.
Great Grandma gave great presents. For my birthday one year she gave me her bingo winnings for that year – $65.00. Another year she gave me an old tin chocolate box with her high school ring in it and other keepsakes she saved over time. As my great grandma got older she gave everything of value away. Looking back it was a great way for her to enjoy giving away her possessions.
As an elementary kid, I stayed with Great Grandma once when my parents were away for a few days; she wouldn’t let me wear my socks in bed – she said I needed to air out my feet. My poor feet were cold all night. These are just a few of the memories I have of my great grandma. But one memory that sticks with me from recent years is this: Great Grandma was always proud of her family. When we’d visit her she would repeatedly tell us she had a wonderful family and that God had blessed her with a wonderful family. I hope if I live to my hundreds I will have such a heart of gratefulness to God for my family. I also hope to continue the wonderful heritage of loving the Lord that Great Grandma left us.
Obituary:
AGE: 102 • Dunellen and BrickMargaret Paulina Wesely Hanyen, 102, died Monday, September 26, 2011 at the Meridian Nursing & Rehab. Center, Brick. She was born May 15, 1909 in New York city to Louis F. and Bertha A.L. Rottmann Wesely. Margaret was raised in New York City and was a 1925 graduate of Bushwick High School in Brooklyn. She had resided in Dunellen since 1950 for 52 years before moving to Brick in 2002. Margaret had worked as a secretary for Van Blaricom and Co. in Dunellen for 35 years prior to her retirement in 1985. She was a member of The First Presbyterian Church, Dunellen since 1950 and had taught Sunday School for more than 40 years and belonged to the Ruth Circle of the church. She had served as a committeewoman in Dunellen and also served on the Election Board as a poll worker for many years. Among her memories, which she had written were her remembrances in New York City of lamp lighters, Horse drawn trolleys and silent movies. When asked what she would like in her obituary, she wanted all to know that “I have a wonderful Lord,” “I have a wonderful family,” and “I have had a wonderful life.”Margaret was the wife of the late Herbert M. Hanyen who died in 1954. Her family includes 3 daughters, Marjorie Sutter of Piscataway, Betty J. Woehr and her husband Rev. Dr. David J. Woehr of Lakewood and Nancy Wojtowicz of Arden, N.C.; 9 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was always very proud and thankful for her family.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later date. Interment will be private at the Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Memorial gifts may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 218 Dunellen Avenue, Dunellen, N.J. 08812. Arrangements are under the care of The Mundy Funeral Home, 142 Dunellen Avenue, Dunellen.(732-968-2626).
