Grandma and Uncle Sterling at the Delmar Fair

We were at the Delmar Fair. I caught Grandma off guard when I took this picture.

There Was A Special Garden In Heaven
Waiting For Someone As Wonderful As You
So, The Master Took Your Hand
And Gave You Eternal Life, Brand New
The Angels, We Can Hear Them Singing
Small Children Are Telling Jesus The News
There Is A New Rose In Heaven
Picked By God, That Precious Rose Is You
It’s Hard For Us To Let You Go
To Realize Your Life On Earth Is Through
But We’re Thankful For All The Memories
Seeds Of Love, Planted In Our Hearts
By A Woman who's Life Was Honest And True!

Grandma was a very spirited person. Mom and I did not get to spend nearly as much time in San Diego as we would have liked to but for two weeks, almost every summer since I was born, Mom and I would spent it in San Diego with Grandma and the rest of the family. There are so many memories that stand out. Eating at the Sizzler, Denny’s, Jack in the Box, Salazar’s or Nadi’s with grandma and the rest of the family. We would go to the movies, go shopping or just hang out at the pool at Grandma and Aunt Tracy’s apartment complex.  The adults would eat Marie Calendar pie and peanuts while the grandchildren would swim in the pool. The highlight of our vacation was our annual trips to Laughlin and/or Las Vegas. We had a blast every year. The 2.00 Deuces Wild Breakfast Specials, 3.99 Steak and Eggs, swimming, and the just all the laughs and time we spent together. Grandma’s favorite slot machine was Jackpot Party which is mine as well.  Grandma loved playing Bingo. One particular Bingo trip stands out in my mind when my grandma and aunt got into an argument with the entire bingo parlor because people in our family kept winning. It was definitely a funny memory.  Another funny memory is when we flew to Vegas for one of our vacations. We got to the airport to find out the flight that was booked didn’t exist. Listening to my aunt, uncle, grandma and my mom handle the situation was definitely a funny memory. When she moved into assisted living, she got to play even more. She became very proud of her collection of purses, animals and bath products she had won.  Grandma gave us a ton of laughs. She loved to drive the electric shopping carts. She almost took out her son in law in the hallway of a hotel in Vegas one year as well as a glass elevator. She was quick to speak her mind when she wanted something.  Grandma and my mom had the same taste in music. They both loved Elvis.  Although we would only see Grandma once a year for two weeks, my mom and I have built a lifetime of memories and laughs that we will treasure in our hearts forever. It is so unbelievably hard not being able to say our goodbyes to Grandma and not being able to be there with our family right now as we all grieve.  Grandma is in better place where she is not suffering anymore but My mom and I will love and miss her so very much every single day.

        My grandma and I were very close. I helped my mom to watch over and help take care of her when ever I could. I was so happy That I could enjoy these wonderful years and create these memories with her. She taught me how to dance to Elvis and Ray charles (some of her favorite singers) and she was also my life and Uno partner when she would babysit me when I was younger :). I have so many great times to remember with my grandma. She had such spunk and personality. Although shedidnt have the easiest life struggling with emphazema and COPD she still loved all of her family very much. I remember when I was little I used to stand at the screen door and wait for her to come over :) and all the fun times we had in vegas like when she ran over my dad with the wheelchair and almost took out a glass elevator haha.  Its gonna be so hard for me and my mother to let her go i just wished I could have spent just a little more time with her. She was a loving and caring women and she meant alot to me. She loved her trips out to eat and her BINGO. :) We all love her soooo much and she will be greatly missed, I just wish she could have seen her great grandson be born :) but I know shell see him from heaven and Im gonna tell him all the great stories of her. I miss you and love you grandma Im happy I was there until the end to hold your hand last night with my mother :).  
                                                                                      -Ashley
 

Grandma loved to shop and drive her electric cart.

Grandma Marlene with her five daughters.

We went to the casino to gamble and enjoy an all you can eat lobster buffet with the family.