Goodbye, Nanna...11-30-13 to 7-10-02
In celebration of the life of Betty Lord Connoer a wonderful, brave, talented woman, who raised 5 children, 4 adopted, on the plains of Wyoming, thru the depression. A loving wife, of 50 years, a self-taught landscape oil painter, classified section of a small town newspaper, for 25 years, and friend of many.
She taught me lessons in courage & perseverance, I]'ll never forget, as I cared for her, thru the effects of Altzheimer's for the past four years
When she said "I want to go home she meant, back to lucidity & clarity....she's on her way home, now...
Big kiss, Nanna, bye bye
Love,
Dave

My condolences on your loss. Sounds like she had a life worth celebrating and left the best legacy of all--family like you who loved her dearly.

Sorry to hear of your loss Dave. Sure sounds like your Nanna had a great life till the alzheimers came along.

Bumper/Dave,

My love and condolences. I know brushing Nanna's hair first thing, and just all around taking care of her has been "you" for quite a while, now. She's probably comparing notes with both of my folks, they went out the same way and it was not easy nor fun, but all three of them went with lots of love surrounding them and they knew we loved them.

You earned lots of stars in your crown.

Call anytime.

Ceas

Dave you have my heart. There are not words.

wonderful comments,,,makes me feel as if i knew that incredible woman..

my respect to you and yours,
todd

Sorry to hear about your Grandma. I have an aunt who has Alzhiemers & is in an old folks home. My Uncle her hubby has it too but won't go into the old folks home. He's not as bad as her yet. My mom goes every week a couple of times or more to visit her & help feed her. It's so sad to see her that way knowing how she used to be so active & full of life. Our condolences & prayers. Peace & God Bless...

Thank you all for the kind thoughts, more soon
Dave

Condolences, Bumper. It sounds like a life well lived and to have had a grandson who loved and cared as much as you did is all most of would ask.

Condolences, prayers & hugs to you and your family.

what lovely words, bumper. i'm sure nana knew how you felt, even when things became a bit cloudy for her. my thoughts and condolences are with you and your family.

Thank you all, again...
to clarify, I am not related, genetically, to Nanna. I became friends, with her son, and grandaughter, and when I would visit the Connors', Nanna & I would talk, sometimes sit on the front porch, or walk downtown, to a local bakery for rolls and coffee. Nanna's Altzheimer's disease was progressing fast, and I was looking to return to Ukiah, from the neighboring county to the east.
One day, Bill, Nannas son, said, "Would you consider living with us and helping us care for Nanna"? My work, at that time was part-time and decent housing in Ukiah was scarce, so, in brief, my relationship with Nanna was more special, than genetic. Nanna & I chose each other, to be friends...
She was a very courageous woman, in perfect physical health, until the last few days of her life with a kind heart & a will of iron For the past year, she needed my assistance, getting dressed, in the morning, and, she always hated the sensation of garmets being removed, over her head.
We had many little morning rituals....Often, as I'd remove her nightshirt, over her head, getting her dressed for the day, Nanna would say ..."Stop that, or Ill kill you!!" I'd respond, saying.. "Ok, but, can we get dressed, 1st..?" She'd look up at me, with her pale blue eyes, sometimes patting my hand & say..."alright, I suppose so" then, we'd get on with getting dressed...
In that way, Nanna taught me, the words aren't important, the connection is important. Our connection was far beyond mere words, it was about love, & respect, and mutually acknowledging our closeness, thru the routines of every day. Thru the last 4 years, the Connor family has virtually adopted me. Bill has just retitred & I may move, with him, to FLA.. a new beggining is in order now...I'll miss Nanna, I miss her right now...

Oh, Bump...

You had such a special relationship with Nanna... it must really be hard for you. I'm sending lots of healing Blundervibes in your direction. You will move forward with your life, but I'm sure you will always bring a piece of Nanna with you!

I wish you peace.

It would seem that the old adage of "You cannot choose your relatives" might not be true. R.I.P. Nanna.

Wow, didn't realize she wasn't your real grandma. This reminds me of a friend of mine who used to care for an elderly lady (Not sure if she had Azlheimers or not) & went to her house every day to watch her & care for her & was paid by the family. Sadly, the lady died a few yrs back. But my friend is back at her old job & the ladies daughter & her hubby are close friends with my friend & really good to her.

Anyway, condolences to the family... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>