Grandma - Jane Kelley Westbrook
Six months ago today, my Grandma passed away. A shock to everyone who knew her, loved her, and had recently received one of her loving, green-pen, elaborate cursive cards in the mail.
She was not the grandmother who you begrudgingly saw out of obligation, but the grandma who would come pop over to say hi and was always up for adventure. She made you feel like you were her one special me-darlin' or in my case, her lil' pumpkin.
At her service at Bethany Lutheran Church which she joined when she moved to Vacaville in 2000, we were expecting some of our family (coming from as far away as Texas and Montana) some of her friends from the community, but we couldn't anticipate the various people who would show up, for love of my grandma, and to support of all the people who loved her. A former neighbor and childhood friend who had moved out of our cul de sac over 15 years ago but always knew her as "Grandma Jane", my aunt's (her daughter-in-law) entire family on her maiden side, including my cousin's cousin (if that makes sense) who spoke to say how my grandma had always been a grandma to her and her son. She really was a grandma to everyone! But I'm the luckiest because she was MY grandma!
At first it was far too difficult to speak on and it still seems unreal, but after so much love and support of those closest to me, I want to take a moment to share publicly what a special lady she was and celebrate her life.
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Comments
Sandra (Hickey) Ceja(non-registered)
Kelley, on behalf of my family please accept and share our condolences with the entire Westbrook clan. We grew up about three houses down from your grandparents in Brooke Lane in Truckee. I can relate to all of your reflections about how sincerely caring she was, as was your grandfather. They were there for us on a number of occasions when we were young and your grandma was always welcoming and sweet with us! I can't exactly remember the circumstances, but I remember trudging down to their house in the middle of the night in PJs -- some type of emergency -- and they took us all in. We loved trick or treating at their house too! You are blessed with memories and a solid, incredible family!
Sethyne White(non-registered)
Hey Kelly- I am a close friend of Coral Smith's. Your tribute to your grandma is truly touching and oh that wonderful smile of hers attests to her beautiful soul which is as vivid to me as your picture backdrops! I can really 'see' her and I never met her in this life! I wish I had! I too, was so very fortunate to be raised by my Mexican Nana from whom I learned to speak Spanish and countless everyday tasks....I believe my Nana Franco and Grandma Jane have already become fast friends in heaven as such kindred spirits could not be kept from each other! I know that you will think of her every single day for the rest of your life and it is gooood. My love & prayers are with you!
Friend of BBITWWW(non-registered)
Beautifully done, Kelley. I cried. She is missed so much. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. The cool thing is she passed her wonderful qualities on through the generations! ♥
Jim Cox(non-registered)
beautiful thoughts, straight from the heart...
Betsy Davis(non-registered)
Wow, what an awesome article for the best grandma ever; so glad you had so many pictures for us to remember her by! <3
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