What are you thankful for?

Eloise Folker Whiting

This is the last photo we had taken with Grandma. This was June 25, 2009. Grandma didn't really remember us but was happy to see us anyway! This was the last time we were able to see Grandma...she passed away on Monday, November 2, 2009.

This is my sweet Grandma Whiting's obituary. She passed away almost 2 weeks ago. I was very close to my Gma and had lived with her for 2 years while I attended the U of U. We knew Gma was getting close to passing but it was still sad. She truly was THE BEST Grandma ever!

ELOISE WHITING

Eloise Folker Whiting 1922 ~ 2009 Our beloved mother and grandmother Eloise F. Whiting, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her most prized possessions - Her Family, Monday, November 2, 2009.She was born on Sept. 20, 1922 to Alfred Dewitt and Gladys Midgley Folker in East Millcreek, Utah. She married her sweetheart Hewitt A. Whiting on August 1, 1942 in Abilene TX, later sealed on May 18, 1949 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She taught Primary for many years and each child was very precious to her. She had unconditional love for her family, friends and anyone she come in contact with. She enjoyed such simple pleasures as sitting on her patio and company was always welcomed with a sweet smile that never faded. She is a true example of what love is, she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children Max (Susan), Dale (Sylvia), Janene (Mike) Clyde, Ron (Sherrill), Nancy Byrd, Louise (Barry) Farrer and Troy, 25 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, her sister Lila Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband Hewitt, son Richard L., son-in-law Jackie Byrd Sr., sister Ruth Nance, brothers Jack Folker and Ralph Folker. The family would like to give special thanks to Alpine Homecare and Hospice for all their gentle, loving care. Her caregivers shared their hearts and loved her as much as we do. Funeral services will be Friday, November 6, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Mortuary, 5850 S. 900 E., where a viewing will be Thursday, from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to services. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 South.


She had asked me many years ago to speak at her funeral and it was any honor to be able to do that. Here is what I wrote:

My name is Kim Weinreb, I’m Eloise’s granddaughter & Max’s daughter. First off, I speaking on behalf of all the grandkids, we want to publicly thank our aunts & uncles for the tender loving care they provided for Gma for the last years of her life. They have spent countless hours taking care of her & we so appreciate them giving Gma the opportunity to stay in her home til the end. That is what she wanted more than anything and they made it happen. Thank you. We love you for doing what you did.

I had the wonderful opportunity to live with grandma while I went to college. It was a great two years. Back then, she asked me if I would speak at her funeral and share memories that the grand kids have of her. I reminded her that she would never die but promised her that I would do it. Here we are today…I guess Gma didn’t listen! It is truly an honor to speak on behalf of all the grand kids and to share our favorite memories of our sweet Gma.

Gma was certainly the epitome of what the ideal Gma should be…petite, beautiful white hair, housecoats, glasses and a sweet smile. Gma was always so happy to see you and we were all her favorite.

First off, the food…we all have favorite memories of Gma’s food:

• Pink pies Green
  
• pistachio salad
  
• Strawberry yogurt
• Rice krispie treats
• Eating cream of mushroom soup…with a straw just to make it fun!
• Toasted cheese on buns
• Waking up to the smell of bacon & eggs when we slept over
• Homemade popsicles from the ice tray w/toothpicks
• Popcorn was always available!
• Deviled eggs at family reunions
• Tuna fish SAMMICHES..not sandwiches but SAMMICHES!
  
• Hamboogies!!
• Homemade bread made in vegetable cans
  
• And the most famous of all snacks…the coveted puffed wheat/puffed rice balls..I am sure Gma is busy in heaven making these for everyone. It didn’t matter who you were…the YM who came for fast offerings, the mailman and any other person who came by always got a smile and a baggy with a treat.

Second, activities…now Gma never spent money on activities, she didn’t need to, there was so much fun to be had with her ideas:

• Blowing bubbles…she would always have Cool Whip containers that she would put soapy water in and we would use straws to blow bubbles.
• Reading the same old books…Dr. Seuss’ ABC was a favorite.
• Watching Hee-Haw together
• Playing store with the famous grocery cart and the empty food boxes & cans
• Sleeping on the floor on the big green sleeping bag
  
• Sleeping outdoors-a favorite!
• Walking to the mall
• Bath time: When we were little Gma always scrubbed us clean and to this day, Dove soap is a favorite smell.
  
• Playing the Marble game & the Peg Game
• Climbing the apricot tree Climbing the poles under the patio and Cody trying to get on the roof making Gma mad!
• Gma always made salt play dough-a big favorite!
  
• Dressing up in Gma’s shirts and belts
• Picking snapdragons & snowballs
• Walking along the cement posts in front of the fence.
• The playhouse was always set up & waiting for us…a folding table w/a cloth that resembled a house.
• Playing “bank” with aunt Nancy’s old bank forms.
• Washing dishes with Gma in the scalding hot water.
• Those strange instruments that were always in the closet

Not many people can say that “I have the best Gma ever” but luckily we can. We all have been truly blessed to have her in our lives. We will miss her…most especially we will miss seeing her on the porch waving to us as we drove off and us saying ”everybody wave goodbye to Gma.” I am grateful for the opportunity to share our thoughts & feelings about Gma. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mad Tennis Skills

Sam has been involved w/Special Pops Tennis since last fall. It's an organization that teaches special needs kids & adults how to play tennis. At the end of the fall session, they host a Skills Tournament at the Harrison Tennis Center in Marietta, Georgia. It was scheduled for Halloween but the weather didn't cooperate so it was rescheduled for yesterday. We attended the 9am session and had a great time. There were about 10 kids and they go through different skills...forehand volley, backhand volley, serving, forehand stroke and backhand stroke. Sam did awesome! He's quite good at tennis and would be better if he could stop socializing with everyone on the court!

forehand volley

serving

receiving his trophy & certificate

the speech

I was in charge of taking some video with our little camera. We didn't bring the "real" video camera since the battery was dead. Way to plan ahead mom!! At the end of the tournament, they gave each player a trophy and certificate. They called Sam up and he got his stuff and asked if he could take the microphone. The lady gave him the microphone and he gave this speech: "I just want to thank everyone for coming out to support me today. I had fun." It was so cute & funny and after we had left, I got the camera out to watch it again and sadly found that I hadn't pushed the record button hard enough. I didn't record it! I was so upset & mad at myself. Those are things you just can't re-do. Aaaarrrgggghhh!

I did get some video...



Needless to say, we all had a great time and we give a big thank you to Mr. Jim from Special Pops Tennis, Sam's tennis coach, and the people who planned, coordinated & volunteered at the event.