Apologies for yet another post with no vintage, frocks or frivolity.
On Sunday morning I got the phone call from my Mum that I’d been both waiting for, and dreading, to tell me that my Nana had died overnight.
She’d been in hospital since before Christmas, and I spent 3 days there at the end of last week, playing her Big Band music and telling her about all the pointless minutae of my life.
My Nana had Parkinsons Disease, and it’s been heart breaking to see the effect it has. Parkinsons disease doesn’t just make you shake, it affects communication, bladder and bowel and your mental health causing depression, anxiety, memory problems and dementia. She lived with my Grampy until he died in March 2011, and shortly afterwards she fell and broke her hip. Once she had recovered my Mum & Dad moved into her house to care for her there, until she became too ill and my Mum could no longer manage.
My Nana was always smart and well turned out. Not what you would call “glamorous” but she loved clothes and would always brush and style her hair and put her make up on. I think my style owes a huge debt to how my Nana (and my Mum) dressed when I was growing up. I always used to make a special effort with my clothes when I visited my Nana as I knew she appreciated everything from brooches to shoes. She once nearly fell out of her hospital bed trying to see what shoes I was wearing while I walked across the ward.
UPDATE: My Nana in the late 50s courtesy of my Uncles Facebook.
Trying on my 1940s hat in December 2011
She also loved history, she used to work at Minster Gatehouse museum when we were small and I remember going in and playing with the exhibits, perhaps the start of my “old stuff” obsession. She was a mine of information about all sorts of things like the names of flowers and how to march in time when you have no coordination. You can also read the story of how I came to the proud owner of the only remaining sewing bag from my Nana’s class at school after it was bombed during WWII.
Having also lost my Grandad back at the beginning of December it’s been a funny old festive season for me, so please forgive this slightly downbeat start to the year.
I shall miss my Nana very much.
Comments
28 responses to “A Fond Farewell”
Oh lovey, I couldn’t believe it when I saw this news the other day, so soon after your Grandfather. Many sympathies, keep your chin up xx
Big hug xxx
Lovely sweetheart. Made me laugh and cry . Love you xx
Love you too xx
My ex father-in-law has parkinsons, so I know what you are going through. It really is horrible to see such a vibrant, independent person with such a great personality gradually disappear. Thinking of you, your family and your nanna xx
Sorry to hear about your Nana. *Hugs*
I’m so sorry.
My sympathies are with you. Your write up was lovely
🙁 So sad to hear this. It is always terribly sad to lose a loved one and so hard when it happens at a festive time of year.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss it’s never easy even if you have been expecting it, but thank you for sharing your memories. Your Nan sounds just like mine, (also a Kentish girl!) in that she always made sure she was smart and never ever went out without her lipstick on.
I’m sorry to hear this, Gemma. Keep the lovely memories in mind.
Oh gemma, what a few years you’ve had, mg live to you and Kelly and your families xx
I’m so sorry!
I am sorry honey 🙁
What terrible news. There are no words. Wishing your family strength during such difficult times.
So sorry to hear about your nana. x
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news, yet again. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your Nan sounds very much like my late Nan. They had pride in their appearance and always had a tale to tell. My grandad passed away over twenty years ago now but he had Parkinson’s so I can relate to how helpless you feel when you see your loved one’s deteriorate. God bless. X
My thoughts are with you. May your nana and grampy be smiling down on you whilst dancing on the stars. I hope this new year is filled with joy and with beautiful memories xxx
So sorry to hear about your loss. My Granddad had this debilitating disease. Your Nana sounds like a wonderful lady and she will always be a part of you xxx
My Grandmother died in September. Didn’t didn’t remember me, but would talk about the “girl with the red lipstick” when I left. She often would ask me “how school was” (because I dressed in vintage, she thought I was her school mate). May they both be free of pain, have their minds and dancing to that big band in the sky. xoxoxo
So sorry to hear this Gemma. At least she is at peace now, and probably still wondering what shoes you are going to choose with that outfit. x
Big hug, lovely. X
Hi Gemma, sorry to hear of the passing of your Nana. She looked like a lovely lady.xx
My condolences to you and your family. She was a beautiful lady.
So sorry to hear of your loss, and so soon after your grandfather. May their memory be a blessing.
Gemma, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s wonderful all the fond memories you have of her and with her. She seemed like a beautiful, wonderful lady. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear this, Gemma. My thoughts are with you x
Only just read this post so apologies that my sympathies are a bit late. So sorry to hear this, she sounds like a fabulous woman xx