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
Ethel, Grace, Jennie, Blanche, Fern
Comments
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We have a Wednesday tradition in our family as well but it's of mothers and daughters. :)
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.
I must come back and read that article...when the little monsters are sleeping tonight!!
Lovely lovely ladies! I hope I look half as good as they do when I am 100.
what a wonderful tradition.
your beloved matriarchs looks great..
Hugs and blessings,
Thanks for having visited my blog. I seldom dust either :-)
(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.")
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 :)
Re the story of the Millards on my post, I think the article was written about 2003.