Mildred’s Journey Home
Today – December 25, 2003 – is probably the most memorable day of the year in any of our hearts, because it is the day that we all celebrate the birth of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This year however, everyone that receives this particular message will have another reason to remember and celebrate this special Christmas for an additional reason.
Today, at 11:25 AM, Mildred Housman Gramkow, chose to go Home, and spend her Christmases throughout eternity with her husband William, her sons Bill, Alan, and Pete, her step-grandson Rodger, and her two brothers Eyland and Ralph.
As you know, she has always been adventurous, and anxious to travel, but this trip has taken more time to plan than her others because of its importance. At 102 years of age, she has been expressing her willingness and indeed her excitement to complete her plans and be on her way. Being this close to her, we knew she was more than ready to leave, and she could not quite understand why it was taking so long to be called. She has at last received her wish, and while each of us will be saddened in our own way by her departure, we can all rejoice and celebrate this most exciting trip of all, and take great comfort in knowing that she is at peace, and is now exactly where she wants to be. She wants each of you to remember this day – but with lasting happiness for her, and very temporary sadness for you.
Her wishes were for immediate cremation, and her wishes will be honored. A Memorial Service will be planned probably sometime in January at her church, in Marietta, Ohio, for anyone wishing to attend. Details will be announced later. Her ashes will be interred later beside her husband William, in Woodlawn Cemetery, in Wellesley, Mass.
She had two local charities of interest; her Church for her faith, and the Senior Center for the assistance they offered her particularly with prescriptions.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to either of the following:
The Gilman United Methodist Church
Capital Improvement Fund
312 Gilman Ave.
Marietta, OH 45750
The O'Neill Senior Center
Marietta Foundation
333 Fourth St.
Marrietta, OH. 45750
We have deeply appreciated your continuing interest in Mother over the years.
Barbara and Rodger