Most of you who read this blog never had the opportunity to meet my Grandma Katie, but you most likely heard me talk about her.  She is my namesake and one of the most amazing women I have ever known.  She blessed, touched and improved the lives of every person who had the privilege to meet her. This last Sunday, July 15th she passed away.   The world is a different place without her and I wish I had a way with words to adequately describe what a special person she was.  A family friend shared with me that they feel as if they have lost something very precious.  And we have.  Grandma Katie had a personality and wit that charmed everyone she met.  She always remained positive, despite the difficulties life presented her.  She lost my Grandpa Champ over 20 years ago and although it affected her deeply, she remained happy, positive, vivacious, witty and loving.  Even during the last 10 + years in a nursing home or assisted living facility, she maintained a positive nature and charmed her nurses and doctors.  At 90 she still was able to let her spunk shine through as she rallied through the Parkinsons and belted out cheers from her days at Delta High.  She was delightful, always.

Grandma Katie also had an incredible gift for music.  She had an amazing ear and an aptitude for improvisations.  She jazzed up every song she played - making the hokey pokey far more than what the rest of the world knows it as.  Her home was always full of music and as grandchildren we spent countless hours around the piano, either "shaking it all about" or singing to her favorites of "Ain't She Sweet", "Dark town Strutter's Ball", "Blue Skies", "Lazy River" or childhood tunes. Even while battling Parkinsons we could get her fingers to "tickle the ivories" on occasion - and you knew, even then, what a gift she had possessed in earlier days.  I will never look at a grand piano without thinking of my Grandma Katie.

Grandma Katie is where the "mint" or "green" dessert originated from.  I don't ever recall visiting at Cooper Court when the freezer wasn't stocked with large tubs of mint chip ice cream.  She was also the one to teach me how to make pie crusts and how to turn the leftovers into cinnamon and sugar goodness.   I believe I inherited my sweet tooth from her.

I'll miss hearing her say when we're all gathered around the table "I wonder what the poor folks are doing tonight?" or when the extended family gets together hearing her say "can you believe a kiss started all this?" I'll miss her cheating at "steal the pile" and other card games.  I'll miss her bun.  I'll miss her quick wit and unconditional love. I'm going to miss everything about her.  We all loved Grandma Katie.