Remembering Lilly

Today I am in Seattle for my great aunt Lilly's funeral. She died unexpectedly on New Year's Eve at the age of 87.

On her 85th birthday - June 2006

I'm not sure I can do justice to who she really was since I didn't live near her for most of my life so only saw her on occasion.

She was my mom's dad's sister and their family came from Sweden around the turn of the century. As the youngest of 6 (and the only girl!) she was born here, but her three oldest brothers were born in Sweden, including my grandfather.

At my wedding in 2005

She spent her married life in Seattle and ran a Scandinavian imports store with her husband, who was Norwegian. I have a wooden plate in my kitchen from her that says (in Swedish) "Give us this day our daily bread". It used to hang in her kitchen and I always remember seeing it when we visited her. She gave it to me when she moved into the retirement home a couple years ago.

Happy 85th Birthday!

For her 85th birthday she wanted to hold a family celebration. We used to have family reunions in Spokane when I was growing up, but they haven't had any for probably 15 years and I think she wanted to have everyone together again. She planned most of it and held it at her church. It was a lot of fun for her and all of us.

These are the children and grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren of Lilly's siblings. Her one remaining brother, Uncle Dick, is in the front row with her and my grandmother, Myrna, her only remaining sister-in-law, is to the right. And there are quite a few family members missing!

In 2003-2004 I lived south of Seattle with a roommate. I only got Christmas day off so I didn't have time to drive home for Christmas and instead spent the day with Aunt Lilly and 2 of her nieces (and one of their granddaughters). It was such a fun girls day with 4 generations of family from different branches of the family tree together. I don't remember what we ate or really what we did, but it was a good day for me even though I didn't get to be with my immediate family.

Even though I didn't see her often Lilly was a favorite great aunt. I hope I'm as sweet and welcoming as she was when I get old!