OT- Betty #1 fan

Submitted by BornInAA on

My Grandmother, Betty, passed away at 8:00am today.

She was a dedicated Michigan fan. She lived on Kingsley Street in Ann Arbor nearly all of her life. Married at St. Thomas before WWII to an great man going off to war.

Her only greater passion than Michigan football was Michigan Hockey (and the Red Wings) and her family and God.

 

JTGoBlue

January 14th, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^

And Go Blue.  The best advice I ever got was at my Grandfather's funeral from his priest:

"Right now you are thinking of him and you are sad...some day, maybe in a few days, or a few weeks, or a few months, you'll think of him and smile."

teldar

January 15th, 2011 at 12:28 AM ^

First group of docs had no ideas for a week, basically. At cleveland clinic, we had a diagnosis the first day.
We were hoping for a fairly minor stroke. Instead it was a rapidly progressing degenerative brain disease that he may have lived a couple months with. when we told him what was happening, he had a massive head bleed and herniated within 2 hours.
We didn't expect any of it.
I'm getting by by thinking he got to see his kids grown and married and successful, seen all his grandkids, and did things his way. Its better to be happy someone lived than sorry they died. Nobody gets out alive, its more about whether or not they lived.

lilpenny1316

January 15th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^

My father passed away at the end of June, and it was just a brutal time.  He was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in February after doctors found that his back pain was actually a tumor.  Doctors stayed positive that he could go into remission, but the cancer was just too aggressive, more than any of us knew.  I moved my family and business home to Detroit in early June because I knew life wasn't permanent.  Four days after moving back, doctors gave my dad 2 weeks to 2 months.  He didn't make it 2 weeks.

I've never experienced a pain like that.  I wish I could say it will get better, but it really is a process and there are no shortcuts.  I don't know if you've had the funeral yet, and I don't know if you'd want to do this, but what helped me was to give a 3 minute tribute to my father.  It last well over 10 minutes, but just preparing for that speech and delivering it was some good therapy.  You may find that it would work wonders for you as well.  Oh and my father was a big Michigan fan, so I said "Go Blue" at the end.

seegoblu

January 15th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^

I agree with this advice. When I lost my mom 5 years ago, I felt that other than the mere passage of time, the most healing I did was writing her eulogy. Draft after draft allowed me to organize my thoughts and figure out what i was feeling and why.

To the OP, sorry for your loss, but rest assured that it does get easier with time and reflection.

teldar

January 15th, 2011 at 8:17 AM ^

long enough to withdraw on probably 30 people or so. It's helped me realize that dying is all a part of living and that everyone who dies is not terribly old. Bad things happen.

I don't feel like my Dad had enough time to do the things he wanted to do, or everything people wanted to do with him. I think this has helped me decide to find a new job that may be a little more flexible in terms of scheduling so I can do more of the things I want to do.

Mr Mackey

January 14th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^

We're all very sorry for your loss, but just recall the good times and celebrate her life. 

Her and Bo can watch and cheer together while Brady Hoke (hopefully) works his magic! 

NateVolk

January 14th, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^

Condolences. I look after my grandmother. It is a job I took on that I thought would last a couple months and is now entering year 3.  I hope it goes on 3 more and then some. 

People who don't have close relationships with people of advanced age are missing out.  I can tell you were so effected too.

ceebee

January 14th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^

Sorry for your loss. My grandfather died about ten years ago and as the church service ended, Hail to the Victors came booming out of the speakers. I've never seen so many people smiling at a sad occasion. Go blue.

Tater

January 14th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^

...I hope she's already talking to Ufe. 

My condolences for your loss, and may she rest in peace.  I will say a prayer for your family tonight.

lilpenny1316

January 14th, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^

Grandparents are tough to lose.  You take them for granted like the sun rising every morning.  They become a rock, a constant, something you can always lean on.

Remember that all the big things and little things they taught you in life are for this moment.  Our grandparents build us up for the time when they are not around, regardless of how old you are.  My grandparents always gave me money, from a nickel to some Benjamins.  It was partially for the here and now, but especially for later, when they're not around.  The advice they give you is for you to do the right things, even when they're not around.  And maybe more importantly, they teach you how to spoil your grandchildren when you have them!

God bless you and Go Blue!

M-Wolverine

January 14th, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^

Who imparted enough into you that she will live on forever, as you pass it down. The body may pass, but the wonderful memories never die. My sympathy in your time of grief.

Wenham Wolverine

January 14th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

I am sorry for your loss, Born.

I lost one grandmother a couple years ago, and sadly, the other is already gone mentally, and in both cases, it is a very hard and painful thing.

May she rest in peace. My prayers are with you and your family.

Dolphonkey

January 15th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^

My grandmother came to stay with us in the fall of 2001 while she slowly passed away from cancer. She was a moderate UM fan but a HUGE Red Wings fan, and for every game that was televised we set her up in the living room to watch until she passed away in December.

Of course that was the year the Wings won the Cup. We like to think she helped a little...

MGoShtoink

January 15th, 2011 at 1:01 AM ^

to you and your family.

I imagine she's up there with Yost, Bo, Crisler and all of the other Michigan greats talking sports and cheering the Wolverines on.