Ladies of The Club


Octogenarian club, perhaps?

Grand Auntie Fern will be 100 on April 3. I’ve written about her several times.

Sitting to the left is her sister-in law Naomi, who is also our Grand Auntie. That is because Roy, the brother of Gram and Fern, took the beautiful Naomi to be his bride in 1921. At 104 years old she still lives in the house in which she and Roy raised their children. She maintains a certain level of independence with the help of her 86 year old daughter.

The lovely lady in the center is Roberta. She is Naomi’s younger (almost 97 year old) sister. She is also a sister-in law to Auntie Fern because Ferns husband was her husband's brother. I hope you read this home town newspaper article about her published on Tuesday. I guarantee that you will be impressed.

These three ladies preside over the Wednesday lunch gang. I was pleased to join them recently. There are around 12 people who make it part of their weekly routine. You never know for sure what other relative will make an effort to connect with the family on Wednesday lunch with the sisters.

The lunch gang was inaugurated by Auntie Fern and her late sisters: Our gram Jennie, Blanche, Ethel, and Grace. To the best of her recollection, Fern determined that the ritual started before she was married in 1927. Through the years the sisters moved and traveled, but always planned special shopping weekend and lunch rendezvous.

Then, as they all grew older, the lunch dates again became a regular feature. When I met my husband over 33 years ago, Wednesday lunch with the sisters was a scheduled weekly event. We made sure we attended on some special occasions, such as Gram’s birthday.

As is the case in most traditions, this one evolved and grew. Lunch often included husband’s sisters, brother’s wives, and husband’s brother’s wives. Well, you get the picture.

With the passing of time and loved ones, these three matriarchs have formed a new circle of sisters. It encompasses more daughters, and granddaughters, and whoever else wishes to break bread with history. I’m hoping that my three daughters will enjoy a lunch date with the sisters very soon. It is truly an honor to join them.




The five original Sisters on one of their lunch dates on August 6, 1948.


Ethel, Grace, Jennie, Blanche, Fern

Comments

Carla said…
Those women look fabulous for their age. Wow! Love the ritual.
Dear pamela. I agree with Carla - they look wonderful for their age! What a great story. Sounds like you had a lovely lunch!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful ladies and a beautiful story. I am just going to read the newspaper article....
Gattina said…
That's unbelievable ! I wished I could become old like them ! That's a miracle !
karisma said…
Lookin' GOOD ladies! Woo Hoo! Very hubba hubba! I hope I look as good as you when I reach maturity! (If I ever do! I am a bit norty when it comes to being a grown up!) Oh C'mon being a kid is much more fun!
MarmiteToasty said…
This is a beautiful heartwarming story.... breathing in.... breathing out.... so much love in this post....

x
DesLily said…
that's incredible and fantastic! And I agree they look fabulous!!
Unknown said…
They do all look fabulous for the ages and Fern looks full of vim and vigor!

We have a Wednesday tradition in our family as well but it's of mothers and daughters. :)
Anonymous said…
Wow, I love the stories about your family. Wonderful tradition.
Jenni said…
They look so lively for being 100. It shows in their eyes. I hope I have that much spunk left in me when I am that age! I see so many people who are 60-70 who look older than these ladies do, like they've let life beat them. Not these gals!
Jenni said…
I just read the article. Wow. Such an inspiration!
Paula said…
They look full of vim and vineagar still! Those lunches sound fantastic. I can imagine the laughter and love that is shared as well as the bread. It also struck me what beautiful names your Grandma and Aunts all have. Simple and old-fashioned.
Heather Plett said…
What a great tradition! I'm inspired.
Beckie said…
Those are some fit and trim ladies in the 1948 photo.

Which of Roberta's husbands was Aunt Fern's brother-in-law? The first or second?

That article was impressive - Roberta is quite the accomplished woman.
Jill said…
I love the old photo. sure looks like they are relatives to me.
Anonymous said…
I always thought Sherry looked like her mom - but seeing that picture of a young Gram makes me think NOT!
ChrisB said…
Pamela I think you've mentioned this wonderful family tradition before. What amazing ladies who do not look their age. The news article is a great tribute to Roberta. What a remarkable life, she has achieved so much!
Anonymous said…
Wow is right!!! How neat and fabulous!! and they all look terrific..I love that old photo!!!
I must come back and read that article...when the little monsters are sleeping tonight!!
Debbie said…
What a wonderful tradition!! I love it. I have a few friends that meet for annual camping trips. I hope we're still meeting 40 years from now. (this reminds me of the Ya Ya Sisterhood!)
Desert Songbird said…
WOW! What a fabulous tradition. How incredible that you have family traditions and rituals like this.
JoeinVegas said…
Sounds like some good genes, guess you will be around for quite a while.
Anonymous said…
This reminds me of a movie but I can't remember which one. I think Sandra Bullock was in it. I think. Oh, I will think of it and come back.

Lovely lovely ladies! I hope I look half as good as they do when I am 100.
Heather said…
I really love this :)
Jennifer said…
ok, now I'm really depressed. They all look better than me and I'm only 39!! What a lovely story!
Anonymous said…
Oh yea, the Ya Ya Sisterhood. I think it was already mentioned. Duh!
darkfoam said…
absolutely amazing ..!!!
what a wonderful tradition.
your beloved matriarchs looks great..
And she still lives at home with some help from her 86 year old daughter...amazing. 86 year old daughter! Thank you for sharing - it gives me a renewed outlook on aging.
storyteller said…
What BEAUTIFUL gals and what a wonderful tradition they've established. Looking at their photos reminds me of my Dad's sisters (one was Aunt Fern) even as I realize my sister and I have become 'the older generation' in our family. I have a group of gals I meet for lunch monthly (have done since we retired 8 years ago) ... and I wonder if we'll be doing it 20 years from now ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
Betty said…
Those ladies sure look good for their age. I would never have guessed them being that old. They all favor in that last picture.
My goodness Pam what a wonderful blog and I enjoyed reading the comments everyone has left. How I wish our family was closer so we could start a GREAT tradition like that. You are so blessed.
This is wonderful, both the photo and the story that goes with it.

Thanks for having visited my blog. I seldom dust either :-)
Christy Woolum said…
I love this post. My favorite part is the last picture of all of them in 1948. Wonderful!
Anonymous said…
Incredibly amazing women! Lovely post, Pam.
Anonymous said…
They are fabulous! And I suddenly feel younger, LOL.
Molly said…
Roberta looks something like my Grandma, my father's mother. Who lived almost to her 93rd birthday. My mother's mother lived to be 97.

(My mother used to say that we came from a line of long livers. And then, she would hold her hands apart and say, "My liver is this long.")
TC said…
Oh this is a sweet story!

I'm amazed at how well those three ladies are still doing. That's simply amazing. Good for them.

Sounds like you've got a great fam, and have a lot of inspiration :)
Peter said…
Wow Pamela you sure come from a good gene pool, we should be reading of your exploits for Many, many years.
Re the story of the Millards on my post, I think the article was written about 2003.
I also really like the 1948 photo! The newspaper article about Roberta is wonderful, what a strong woman! :)

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