by Velda Shirt (a friend) 

The family has asked that I tell a little about the things that endeared grandma to all who knew her.  As I thought about this I realized what a blessing she had been in my own life, in the lives of my family, and to anyone who knew her.  

Grandma had a strong and unshakable testimony of the gospel and patterned her life accordingly.  It was my privilege to have her for a Relief Society Teaching partner, something that took precedence even over her flower garden.  I’d call and say, “Can we do our teaching today?” and her reply was always, “I’ll be ready in half an hour.”  It was a standing joke with us that it always took me at least an hour to get ready and pick her up.  I believe it only took her 15 minutes to shower and dress and the rest of the time was spent in gathering up starts from her plants, and already potted plants from her garden to take to all the sisters on our route.  Upon returning home last month she remarked that she didn’t hold too much hope of earning the Celestial Kingdom in the next world, but if the Lord would just give her a little land where she could grow flowers to give to all her friends she was sure she would be happy.  I assured her that I thought that after the total devastation of the world before the second coming, that the Lord would probably send her to replant the whole place.  Her reply was “Wouldn’t that be wonderful.”  I have seen her as pleased with some empty flower pots and a 10 cent bookshelf to put them on, as most of us are with great gifts.  It was always the small things she shared with everyone that made her the happiest. 

She loved to quilt and tie quilts, with the agreement that she could have a break about noon to watch her favorite TV soap opera. 

There was no age barrier when it came to her friends.  She loved people, and her friends were from all age groups. 

At one time she stayed for awhile with us and I have never had such a well dusted home, nor have my plants ever had such loving care.  I asked my 9 year old son what he liked best about grandma and he said, “She was always smiling and even when she made a mistake she laughed about it.” 

She often spoke of her family and her love for them.  Even though I have just met some of them for the first time I feel as though I know them well because she shared them with me, 

She was an avid talker, but an excellent listener, a mother if you needed a mother, a grandmother if you needed a grandma.  Her eyes sparkled with a special light from heaven, and her smile warmed every heart.  She was uncomplaining and long suffering, and had acquired the patience of Job.  She was beauty in a pair of garden pants, an old sweater and a floppy brimmed hat.  A loving son once described her as being a “Diamond in the Rough.”  But through the chipping away by life’s trials and joys she became a beautiful sparkling jewel.   

As much sorrow as we feel at losing her I am sure that there was great rejoicing on the other side when our Mary returned home.  Everyone and everything that touched her life received something from her. 

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for having given to me the special blessing of being her friend, and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!