Grandma

My Grandma hasn't been doing well since Christmas when she got sick and had to spend the holiday in the emergency room.  She always seemed to bounce back any time she got sick, though, and she definitely had some good days since then.  I was able to spend a little time with her when I took the boys down to St. Pete.  While she didn't look sick then, she just seemed old to me.  That might sound silly because she was just a few days shy of her 93rd birthday, but before then she had a lot of energy and that helped keep her "young".  I am happy to say that the last words I ever said to her was "I love you."  She truly was a remarkable woman and is missed by many.

My mom called Wednesday (June 19) to say that Grandma wasn't doing well and then later said they were taking her to the hospital.  It was hard to know what to do, but my dad said to make plans to come down that weekend.  Mom called the next day to say that Grandma had passed.  I know she had a lot of hard phone calls to make that day and a lot of decisions that she and my aunt Barbara had to make.

The boys still had 1 more swim lesson Saturday morning, so we took them, ate lunch, and then drove down to St. Pete.  Nick, Lisa and their families were on their way as well.  Funerals certainly aren't the best reason to have a reunion, but I'm so glad that everyone was able to make it.  It got a little crazy with 9 grandkids/cousins in my parents' house, but I know that they had fun together.

My mom will tell you not to look at Kayleigh and Taylor who are singing VBS songs (their churches both did the same VBS), but to "watch" Robbie in the background.

3, 2, 1, JUMP!

Sunday afternoon was the visitation and funeral.  My Grandma was certainly loved by lots of people.  It was so nice that so many people came, from mom and Barbara's coworkers to church friends and even a couple of workers from Grandma's assisted living home.  The pastor had some nice things to say about my Grandma and Grandpa and Barbara and Mom spoke.  My uncle Jack put together a slide show that played during the visitation.  It was fun seeing lots of old pictures.

Barbara



Mom - I didn't get all of it, though, because I ran out of memory on the SD card.  Sorry, mom!



Flowers from the Conleys (Grandma's sister and her family)

Flowers for the casket from the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Loving Grandma and Nana

Flower arrangement

Alex opening and closing the door to the funeral home.

After the funeral and reception, Grandma's kids (2), grandkids (6), great-grandkids (12) and in-laws  (7) went to Olive Garden for dinner.  They had a private room for us and the kids were able to run around before dinner was served.  We did family pictures and tried to take some of the great-grandkids, but Robbie and Alex were not in picture taking moods.  Matthew took them home early and I was able to get a ride with Jonathan.  (We stayed at Matt's mom's place because she was out of town.)

Monday was the internment.  The funeral home brought the flowers from the service so the pavilion looked nice.  Dad, Jonathan and Scotty each said something and then it was time to go.  We drove to where Grandma and Grandpa were buried.  Nick and Robyn were going to drive all the way home, so they left pretty quickly.  The rest of the "Villacampas" had lunch at a closed gas station/restaurant.  We packed leftover sandwiches and chips to have for lunch, but we didn't know what was around as far as picnicking, so that was the best we could do!  It was shaded and there were chairs, you can't beat that.

Dad - Again, I ran out of space on the SD card.  Sorry again!



The pall bearers (Dad, Jack, Jonathan, Nick, Scott and Scotty)

Great-grandkids (except Robbie and Alex who were with Matt, Grandpa and GiGi).

Our "picnic" spot

Tuesday Matthew, the kids and I went to the beach and the pool.  The boys did better in Barbara's pool than they did at swim lessons.  I think it's because it wasn't as crowded or noisy.  We ate lunch and then headed home.  I'm glad everyone was able to take time off work so that we could be together.