I have been meaning to post about my Grandma Weeks for the past month and haven't gotten around to it. She was the last living grandparent I had and thought I would do a post as a tribute to my oldest living relative. She actually passed away yesterday morning March 31st and while this is later than I wanted it is well over due.
My grandma died at the age of 94, she still lived on her own, in the home that my grandpa built many years ago. She had just bought a new SUV just over a month ago... yes she was still driving!! She wouldn't drive as much in the winter but then decided to get an SUV so she could get out of her driveway when the snow plows pushed snow in her way!
Isn't she so cute? This picture was taken just 3 months ago at her home.
Here are some of my favorite memories...
I had the benefit of living next door to grandma from birth until I was 10yrs old and there aren't many memories from my childhood that do not involve grandma. I remember spending countless hours at grandma's playing with toys downstairs or playing upstairs with grandma pick up sticks or monkey's in a barrel.
If anyone asks "what time is it?" My first instinct is.. "half past kissing time and time to kiss again!". Luckily, I catch myself most of the time but it always brings a smile to my face remembering countless times grandma would tell me that growing up.
I remember always feeling welcome at grandma's house. Within seconds, it seemed, you were greeted with one of grandma's famous hugs. The one that left you wondering if you could still breathe afterwards but wouldn't trade for anything! As kids we would always go to grandma's after school to get a treat. She always had candy in her candy jar, freshly baked cookies and milk or one of my personal favorites - cabbage with peanut butter! She would also help out with homework on occasion.. we would go over to her house to use her encyclopedias and she would always be interested to see what we were learning and offer to help. I will always treasure those memories after school.
Grandma always taught us the importance of eating healthy. She always told us to eat a tomato a day and that would keep the Dr. away. She was always eating a well balanced meal with plenty of milk, veggies and fruits. She loved to garden as well, and I remember many summer days helping grandma freeze corn or can peas.
I took piano lessons for 3 yrs and would practice at grandma's house every morning at 6:30am, she would always have the light on for me and come downstairs to make sure everything was just right, she would set the timer upstairs and come down to let me know when I was finished. There were times that she would sit and listen to my playing and offer her praise as to how quickly I was learning.
Everyone loved and knew grandma. Her and grandpa were pillars of Smithfield, UT and everyone knew who they were. Anytime I run into anyone that is from the Smithfield/Tremonton area and ask them if they know George or Alice Weeks they always do. They also say what wonderful people they were - how they were a friend to all and were always willing to serve others.
Some of my favorite memories are while we were camping as a family. We camped A LOT growing up. I remember going into Smithfield canyon and hiking through the creek in our shoes with grandma. She would always pick out a good walking stick and we would do the same. I remember following her around in the creek looking at the fish and finding smooth rocks and sea shells to take back to camp. Grandma loved camping and going on nature walks!
I also loved watching her and grandpa dance. They were amazing! I remember being little and wanting to grow up to dance just like grandma. I have developed a love of dancing (Ballroom and Latin mainly) over the years and am slowly (very slowly) trying to convince Brad to love it as well!
When I was called to be YW president in my ward grandma was so excited! She always loved the time she served in the YWMIA program and gave me some great advice. She said to love the girls unconditionally, treat them with respect and always pray for them. She was always a great example of service and always magnified her callings.
Most of all I remember the way I felt when I was around her. I always knew grandma loved me and wanted me to be happy. Grandma was always such a strong, independent woman that knew what she wanted but yet always looked for ways to help and serve others. I like to think I have developed some of those same characteristics just being around her.
This is such a classic Grandma Alice facial expression!
Alice Fitzgerald Weeks Obituary
Alice Fitzgerald Weeks passed away peacefully March 31, 2008. She was born Sept. 30, 1913, and was 94 years of age. She was the oldest of three children born to James Fitzgerald and Helma Malin. After growing up in Salt Lake City, she moved with her family to Smithfield, Utah, where she spent the remainder of her life. Alice married George Riches Weeks April 16, 1930, in the Logan LDS Temple, and they enjoyed 73 loving years together. They raised their family of four sons: Richard Clair (deceased), Stanley, Darwin and Ronald. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions throughout the years, such as president and counselor in ward and stake YWMIA, and various Relief Society and Primary positions. She loved to sing and joined the choir at age 14 and continued for over 60 years. Together with her husband George, they served as dance directors on a ward, stake and district level for over 20 years, literally teaching thousands of youth and adults the art of dancing. They served as dance directors until the church discontinued the dance program. Also with her husband they served at the Logan LDS Temple, where she loved assisting many new brides as they sealed their eternal marriages. Alice received the Certificate of Merit along with the love of her life, George, for their service to Smithfield and surrounding areas in teaching the art and appreciation of dance in conjunction with the National Bicentennial Celebration. Alice considered all she knew to be her friend and they reciprocated. She loved her grandchildren and they appreciated her special hugs and the excitement she expressed when seeing them. She was a pillar of strength in caring for others, especially her beloved husband. At the age of 90, she accomplished a lifelong dream to visit Ireland, her father's ancestral home, and was an inspiration to her special relatives and all she met. At 94, she had achieved the age of her husband at his passing four years earlier. She is survived by three sons, Stanley (Irene) Weeks, Pleasant View, Utah, Darwin (JoAnn) Weeks, Indio, Calif., and Ronald (Louise) Weeks, Mapleton, Utah. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Richard Clair (Margie) Weeks, Clearfield, Utah; and a sister, Irene Zuppann, and brother, James Fitzgerald. Funeral services will be held at noon, Friday, April 4, 2008, in the Smithfield 10th Ward Chapel, 345 E. 300 South, with Bishop Peter Krusi conducting. Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 S. Main, Smithfield, and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday morning at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at
http://www.nelsonfuneralhome.com/.
My mom shared this scripture that so accurately describes my grandma.
Proverbs 31: 10-31
10 ¶ Who can find a
virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She
riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the
distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the
poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her
clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her
clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of
kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of
idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and
beauty is vain: but a woman that
feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Memories I forgot but my mom remembered.....
Mom was very frugal. Living during the depression taught her the importance of not throwing anything away and I mean anything! She even cleaned and saved plastic bags and Reynolds wrap! To this day if you look in her kitchen drawers you will find evidence of this.
Mom made our daughters the most beautiful dresses and the amazing thing about mom’s sewing skill was that if you couldn't find a pattern for the dress you wanted made, all you had to do was to show or draw a picture and she would sew it up more beautiful than the picture. She loved to sew and crochet. Mom made beautiful quilts and Afghans. Every grandchild has an afghan or a quilt that grandma made especially for them. I think the most treasured gift she gave her family was after dad died she made pillows out of his suits and ties and gave them to everyone. Every time we look at the pillow the memories come flooding in of the great times we shared at their home.
Mom was a great example of how a spouse is to cleave to her husband, putting him above all others. Her love and devotion to dad in his last years was a shining example to her prosperity of giving undying service and love to her husband.
Most of all I am grateful to mom for the wonderful son she raised who honors his priesthood and has a strong testimony of the gospel. He works hard, has integrity, and loves and supports his family, all values that were taught by his mother. He is an example to his children and a great loving support to me.
There are not enough words to express my love and admiration for this great woman, I will miss her dearly. I am comforted knowing our family is forever and that she is having a joyous reunion with my Grandpa George and her son,uncle Clair. Thanks grandma for all the wonderful memories!
It has been a crazy last few weeks I have been out of town 2 of the last 3 weekends, its no wonder that I feel a little overwhelmed and can't wait for this weekend to get caught up on all that I am behind on. I can't complain though.. I love spending time with my family and friends! It was well worth it!
