my grandma jackie...

my grandmother recently passed away, and i am sad to report that i really did not know her well.  though i visited my grandmother regularly, her deteriorating mind and body as a result of alzheimer's accounts for most of my tangible memories. as i sat in her funeral, i listened to story after story about an amazing woman. a woman who loved music, served religiously in her community, and raised 5 wonderful children.  each of her children spoke at her funeral.  i was so glad to learn more about my grandmother through the memories they shared. 

sandy shared the life sketch, where she spoke of my grandmothers life long legacy.  i learned that my grandmother was a member of the Sponsor corps in both high school and college, and that she was her utah state university freshman class vice-president.  it was wonderful to be reminded of how she married her high school sweetheart, my grandpa john.  

patti told stories that brought to life what it was like to grow up in the worley home.  she spoke of my grandmothers love for music (especially opera) and her desire for her children to find joy in music as she encouraged them to play the music they loved in the home.  i can imagine a house full of girls cleaning bathrooms on a saturday morning with the music blaring.

kimmy shared a story about a time when she was away at school, feeling homesick and exhausted from the demands of her studies.  kim recalls calling home to say that she had had enough and was coming home.  apparently, my grandmother responded with something to the effect of, "stop crying, go take your test, and don't you dare come home until you have done so."  here kim learned the importance of finishing what she started.  i can honestly say that my aunt kimmy took this lesson to heart.  she has accomplished many inspiring things.

mary lyn (my mother) spoke of her mother's high expectations for her children.  she recalled hours practicing at the piano with her mother yelling in the background phrases like, "the top note in the left hand is wrong" or "your tempo is too fast."  i can honestly relate to how this must have felt, as i experienced a fare bit of this from my own mother.  it would seem my grandmother coined the phrase, "where much is given, much is required."

johny spoke of his mothers love for the theater and how she would educate every one in the house about the storyline, the characters, and the music before taking the to a show.  he truly believes that children will listen.  this love of theater has been passed on to many in our family.  

i am so glad for the memories that i now have of my grandmother, and for the example that my grandmother is to me, even after her time on this earth is through.