Thursday Thirteen, “The Grandmother Edition”



1. She was born February 4, 1887. Her parents George and Sarah, named her Mary Francis Daniell.

2. She had two sisters, Sarah Mathilda, the oldest, whom we all called Tilly, and Marionette, who chose to move away and never have much to do with any of the family.


Marionette, Tilly, seated and my very blond grandmother.

3. She met my Grandfather when she was 8 or 9 years old. His family moved into her neighborhood and Gram became best friends with his sister, Katchen. Gram taught them to speak English, as they were from Germany and didn’t speak a bit of English when they arrived.

4. Papa fell instantly in love with her and pursued her all through their teens. (Today we would call this stalking! LOL)

5. Her father insisted she finish college before she even considered marriage.

6. They married right after graduation on June 1, 1921, and were married for nearly 65 years before she passed away.

7. They had one son, Robert and my mother, Rosamond. They always thought of Tilly’s son George as their own too. They adored him.

8. Gram taught school in the Boston Public Schools. She taught 5th grade.

9. She was a member of the DAR, The Eastern Star and worked for the Christian Science Monitor in Boston.

10. She was always busy working for charities and I can’t recall a time, until she was very old that she actually rested.

11. She adored her grandchildren, there were five of us, Carl, Erica, my brother Richard, sister Melodie and yours truly!

12. She made the best cookies and also warm milk with honey and a pat of butter in it. To this day it calms me.

13. Sadly, she passed December 2, 1984. I feel lucky to have had such a great and wonderful grandmother.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



16 thoughts on “Thursday Thirteen, “The Grandmother Edition””

  1. This is a lovely TT! I’m not playing this week, but just wanted to say that I love that second picture. It has a very ethereal feel about it.

  2. What a neat idea, and I *love* that picture — wow! I just found some information about bio great-grandmother, who I did not know. She was blinded by the dye from her viel at her own husband’s funeral, can you imagine?

    My TT is up…Happy Thursday!

  3. Ooops, I put my name in that mr. linky thing but i didn’t really play..sorry.
    Those pics are stunning. I LOVE♥LOVE♥LOVE♥ old pics. I am shocked at how they were wearing their hair though. Except for Marionette. She’s got a proper bow right on top of her head. ;0]
    And that wedding shot. WOW. It’s one of the best things about home care…going to folks’ houses and looking at their old photos.
    Your Gram was beautiful. So glad you got to know her before she passed.
    ♥Pam

  5. What a lovely TT! she looks darling. Your greatgrandfather was very modern wanting her to finish college before getting married. I didn’t know you had an “Opa”! Happy TT!!!

  6. Hi Mom,
    A very nice TT indeed. Also love the old photos. Interesting to read about my own great grandmother….

    Hope you have a great day!
    Love,
    Mandy

  9. This is a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Thanks for sharing her with us and I love the photos.

    Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely Thursday…

  14. Wonderful list!
    That first photo is absolutely priceless! It reminds me of fairies dancing in the forest! What a treasure…and so was your ‘Gram’!
    Thanks for the nice walk thru your memories.

    oh and my tt’s up too!

  16. I love the pictures!
    And I love the information.
    I don’t know that much about my grandma and she’s still alive! 🙂
    I think I’ll pick up the phone and call her now.

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