• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Munofore
  • Crafts
  • Gardening
  • Self Care
  • Home
  • Humor
  • Blogging
  • Random Thoughts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Crafts
  • Gardening
  • Self Care
  • Home
  • Humor
  • Blogging
  • Random Thoughts
  • follow the fun

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Crafts
    • Gardening
    • Self Care
    • Home
    • Humor
    • Blogging
    • Random Thoughts
  • follow the fun

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Munofore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program. This site contains affiliate links to various websites, including Amazon.com. Purchases through these links help support this blog at no additional cost to you. read more

    Grandma Ruth

    Apr 14, 2013 · 4 Comments

    Nettie Ruth Cowan on her engagement day

    After 98 years on this earth, my Grandmother Nettie Ruth Cowan Smith passed away yesterday. She went in her sleep, is no longer in pain, and can hopefully now remember us all. For the last 3 -4 years she hasn't remembered any of us. Alzheimer's sucks.

    It was tough for all of us knowing she was still physically with us, but we were all strangers to her. It had to be especially  difficult for my Uncle Clark and Aunt Lyse and their boys, with whom she lived. I want to publicly thank them and their four sons for all they did for her, even when it might have been easier for them to just "stick her in a home".

    She was one of 12 children in a Texas farm family so poor they "couldn't even afford a dirt floor". She was the first to go to college where she met my grandfather. Here's my Uncle Clark's hysterical recounting of how Grandfather Carl was able to get Papa Cowan to agree to them getting married.

    She told me on her wedding day Papa Cowan pulled her aside ("not him, mind you, but ME") and said "Ruth, you are going to have to take care of your husband and your children when they come. You can't spend your whole life with your nose in a book." She didn't completely listen. she took care of her family, but reading was always important to her. I have been told one of her proudest moments was when she took her 18 month old first grandchild in to meet the principal at the school where she taught. I looked in amazement, pointed at the book shelves and announced "It's a book."

    Reading, teaching, crafting, making do with what you have instead of just buying new, all things I inherited from my grandparents - all four actually.

    Just a few of the homemade goodies I have in my house made by her hands:

    If I am not mistaken one of the last things she made was a baby blanket for J. I am not sure she had to much interest (or the dexterity) to do much crocheting after that.

    One of my most vivid memories from my younger days was being incredibly awed and proud that I actually knew someone that wrote a book and it was my grandmother! The book was about flags and their history and was basically designed as a school pageant. I have two copies of it, but am just too lazy to go dig it out and take a picture of it.  Instead, here she is with her flags (my Dad and her sister Wanda are in the background).

    Grandma and her flags! (Dad and Aunt Wanda in the background.
    Grandma and her flags! (Dad and Aunt Wanda in the background.
     It wasn't until I was three months pregnant with J that it dawned on me that she had her younger two children at 42 and 44 years old. So why should I worry about having one just over the age of 40. Strangely just the thought of it gave me confidence.
    One regret I know she had was that we never made cookies together. She mentioned it once that she just thought it was something a Grandmother and Granddaughter should do.
    We might not have had the chance to make cookies due to the distance we lived from each other but we did like to talk on the phone, and more often than not the conversation turned to mom.
    Me: YOUR daughter is laughing at us.
    Her: Well, you know YOUR mother can be ornery.
    Me: Didn't you try to break YOUR daughter of that?
    Her: Oh, I tried the best I could, but you are just going to have to finish raising her right.
    Us: << hysterical laughter>>
    Me: Now she is rolling her eyes at us.
    Us: <<more giggling>>

    What other stories should I share? How she gave her son Syphillis (totally NOT true) or how she nonchalantly waded through waist deep water carrying her son to escape the Great Fairbanks Flood of 1967 (definitely true). The words that strike me from her recount of the flood was:

    It was around 50 degrees so it wasn't too cold. It rained or misted all the time but I did not get wet above my hips - just damp.

    The Mistress of Understatement.

     

    There is plenty more I could write, but I think I will end it now. With a promise to keep raising HER daughter right, and not spending all of my days with a nose in book.
    Miss you Grandma, much love,
    ~Baby Ruth

    Save

    « Take that weeds!
    Trying to find perspective through flowers. »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary~Momathon says

      April 14, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Such beautiful memories you have of your grandmother! Sorry to hear of her passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hoping you find peace.

      Reply
    2. Vanessa D says

      April 14, 2013 at 8:27 pm

      My sympathies to you and your family.

      Reply
    3. Audrey Humaciu says

      April 15, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks for the thoughts ladies. She was 98, had an awesome long life and went peacefully. We should all be so blessed.

      Reply
    4. Debbi says

      April 16, 2013 at 11:23 am

      I loved reading this, and am so happy your memories of her are so warm and wonderful. Yes, Alzheimer's sucks. She's been released, hallelujah!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    audrey humaciu in kitchen

    Welcome

    I'm your hostess, Audrey, an avid "maker" that believes home made is better.

    Whether it's cooking, crafting, gardening, home décor, even blog design, I love making and growing things... even if I make a mess in the process.

    Discover more about me →

    Seasonal Projects

    • top down view of dried rose shadow box
      Make a Dried Rose Shadow Box Display to Preserve Memories
    • A Big Hug Card craft for kids
      A Big Hug Card Craft for Kids
    • supplies for red envelope making with text overlay "free printable Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year"
      Free Printable Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year
    • collage of video game themed Valentines with text overlay "25 free printable video game valentines"
      25 Free Printable Video Game Themed Valentines

    Popular Posts

    • elderly woman with family in the background and text "Sudden Dementia Could be Life Threatening."
      Sudden Dementia in the Elderly Can be Life Threatening
    • collage of pallet planters with text "DIY pallet planters: 2 ideas"
      DIY Pallet Planter: 2 Ideas
    • top down view of dried rose shadow box
      Make a Dried Rose Shadow Box Display to Preserve Memories
    • collage of plastic fruit containers with text overlay "Creative ways to upcycle plastic clamshell containers"
      Awesome Ways to Reuse Plastic Fruit Containers

    follow the fun

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Munofore
    • Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Munofore