Gramma Mary shared some about her early life in the depression during dinner, which were take-out Thai and another John-prepared dessert (Chocolate Fettuccini). Mary was born+ in 1912 (Which makes her a year younger than my Mother). She was raised in Arkansas but sometime in her teens (??), the family moved to Tulsa Oklahoma. She worked as a secretary/administrative assistant for an Oil company. When she got vacations from work, she travelled across America (St Louis World’s Fair, etc., etc.), and to Mexico, alone or with girl friend(s). We asked about her parents’ opinion on her adventures. She said they never said anything to her about not going. She really was courageous and loved the adventures.
Gramma Mary didn’t marry until she was 35 (1947) to the man (Harold) she had met in Portland, Oregon 7 years earlier. She waited to marry because she was helping support her parents and brothers; and because of World War II. She has 2 sons (Brooks and David). Following the death of Harold, she lived on her own for 15 years (from 80 to 95). She uses a walker and has hearing aids but otherwise is as sharp as a tack. She enjoyed and followed along during the Super Bowl. Gramma Mary rides a stationary bike 30 minutes a day averaging 5MPH – that’s about what we do on our good days. While we had met her at the wedding, this time we really got to know her. John was introducing her to the computer and all the information to be found there. She was working the crosswords and trying to get the hang of Sudoku – with which Ruthi could give no help.
