Some of you may remember a month or so ago when I posted about my Grandpa Marchant's passing. I'm sad to say that my Grandma Marchant, his wife of nearly 68 years, followed six weeks later on September 9. We are all certain that Grandma died of a broken heart, and we all miss her very much. My Grandpa's health was failing, so I wasn't surprised when my mom phoned me to say that he passed. But my Grandma was in good health and had so many plans that she made with her daughters and grandchildren, but sometimes life has other plans.
I love all my family, but my Grandma - Marion Isobel Marchant (nee Huff), born April 25, 1925 - held a very special place in my heart. She grew up outside of Edmonton (it's now the suburbs) and eventually met my Grandpa here while he was stationed in the Air Force and she was working for the American Army as they built the Alaskan highway. Now that I live in Edmonton and love the 40s, I feel a strong connection to her. She was so beautiful, both inside and out.
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Grandma as a secretary with the American Army
building the Alaskan Highway during WWII. |
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| One of the last photos of them together, which I took a few weeks before Grandpa died. |
My cousin Peggy says that there are still some trees from where Grandma's farm used to be in north Edmonton, and I am going to take a trip up there to visit them soon.
The pain is still very raw and sometimes I forget that she's gone, but I have a lot to remember her by. I wore one of her brooches to her funeral, which mom said I could keep.
Grandma also told me last winter that she wanted me to have the compact Grandpa gave them on their first Christmas together. I didn't realize I would get it so soon, but I will treasure it always. Mom also gave me one of Grandma's teapots (which was a wedding present in 1944), a tea cup, a vase, a sugar doily, Grandma's sewing things, one of her faux pearl necklaces, a jewellery roll and Grandpa's Legion cap. Auntie Val also gave me some of Grandma's sheets. I feel very lucky to have gotten so many things to remember them by!
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| Tea cup, sugar bowl doily, tea strainer, tea pot from 1944, vase |
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| Tea cup detail |
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| Grandpa's Legion cap, faux pearl necklace, jewellery roll, compact |
My Grandma was a meticulous note taker and lots of things were labelled!
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| "Bill gave this compact to me for Christmas 1944 - Marion" |
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| The note says "Sewing cabinet from Grandma Belle's home, 1935. Restored by Valerie." (my aunt) |
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| How frickin' cute is that chocolate tin? |
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| Buttons and safety pins! |
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| More pins, a vintage needle gauge (YES!) pin cushions and thread. |
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| More pin holders. The silver thing is a measuring tape. |
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| This holds needles - how cute! |
I miss my grandma so much but I am very thankful for the time we spent together, and also thankful that I have a wonderful and strong family in times like these.
xo Laurie
I'm deeply sorry to hear about both of your losses. I fully believe that couples who have been happily married can (essentially) die of a broken heart. The same kind of situation happened to one of my pairs of great-grandparents, with one passing very shortly after the other.
My thoughts and condolences are with you and your family,
♥ Jessica
I'm so sorry to hear of your Grandpa and Grandma's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I think it's so lovely you get to keep some of your grandparents' treasures and I love how your Grandmother wrote notes : )
Oh Laurie, I'm so sorry for your loss.
I've been spending the last few months over here digging through boxes and asking questions so I can find out more about my grandparents, who I lost 5 and 3 years ago now. Each possession I found and story I learnt both broke my heart & made me feel more connected to them. I am so glad for you that you have both possessions and (more importantly) wonderful memories to remember them by.
Thinking of you
I love that everything was labeled! What a fantastic idea to keep the facts straight for the younger generations. Lovely post.
x The Pretty Secrets