Goodbye for now Grandma Crandall

In July 2013 Andrew's sweet Grandma Darlene Crandall passed away. I have so enjoyed the several times we have traveled to St. George to visit her and other members of the Crandall family. She is such a sweet lady. The first time I met her was when Andrew and I were dating, he asked if I would like to go with him for a little road trip to see his Grandma, and meet his Dad that was in town visiting her. I jumped on the idea of getting to spend lots of time with my cute boyfriend that I was beginning to grow VERY fond of. ;) Little did I know it was a make or break trip--he later told me that he thought to himself, if I can stand 5 hours in the car with her, then I guess I'll keep her around. haha Well I'm happy that I made the cut, in fact after the long drive home we especially didn't want to separate because we loved how much fun it was being together all the time. :)

Anyways, we stayed at Darlene's home that weekend and she made us lots of yummy food. We were fed VERY well. :) I'll never forget one morning we heard an ambulance come into her neighborhood and she ran out to see what home it went to, and it was her neighbor's home, and she started crying and was very sympathetic and worried about that neighbor. I could tell she had a very good heart.

Insert from Andrew: Some of my favorite memories are the ones in St. George with grandpa and grandma.  For example, grandma's unbeatable home cooking (she never was conservative with butter and sweets), grandpa's big bear hugs, their HUGE garden, playing cowboys and Indians in their big yard, riding on their big swing, learning from Grandpa how to play checkers, aggravation, John Wayne movies, Return to Snowy River, and discovering Crandall Field just to name a few.  I could always feel an abundance of love in their home.  Not only their love for me and the rest of us, but also their love for each other.  Grandpa always called grandma by "mom."  I thought it strange when I was younger but now looking back I realize it was a gesture of the love and respect he had for grandma.  He was a fine example to me of how a husband should treat his wife.

And grandma sure loved grandpa.  She was never quite the same after he passed away.  She missed him dearly.  Dad was able to live close and be with her almost always during the final years of her life.  I know that meant a lot to her.  As Cami stated above, she had a very big heart.  She was always concerned about the welfare of her friends and neighbors, even when it was her that was in need of help.  She reminds me so much of Abuelita, the two were similar in so many ways.  She will certainly be missed.  I am honored, proud and blessed to have such fabulous grandparents.

After Andrew and I got married, any time we would pass through St. George we would always be sure to pay her a visit. Andrew would always make sure that we would pick up some flowers to take to her when we would arrive. She sure loved when we brought Boston to meet her. At this point she was living in a rest home facility, so we went to the church service there with her on Sunday. And the whole meeting she was holding Boston's hand, and making him smile. :)

I know I blogged about a lot of these memories so we can go back and read them. And  look at all the pictures.  

We also had such a good time last year at her Birthday party and celebrating her life. She was a great example, raised a beautiful family with her husband Max, and stayed active in the church all her life.

Andrew was excited to call her once we found out we were having another little boy, to let her know that we were naming him Maxton, and would often call him Max, after Max Crandall. :) She was happy to hear that. I'm sure she's extremely happy to be reunited with him now, since he had passed on more than 10 years before her.

Boston was so sweet, he would point at the casket and say and sign, "She's sleeping." It meant so much to us, but especially Andrew to have Boston there with us. 

 It was a beautiful closing ceremony, I lead the music, and Uncle Grant gave such a beautiful talk on the Plan of Salvation. Then Andrew, along with his brothers as pallbearers carried her casket out.

Andrew taking one last look.

The beautiful and happy part about funerals, when you know the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ, is that we know that death is not the end, but only the beginning to a long and everlasting life. And we know that we will see her, and all of our family members again someday, and be able to be with them for eternity. 

We love you Grandma Crandall

God be with you 'til we meet again.