Our Mom and Nana

Mom/Nana, like many moms, was the foundation of our family, and an exceptional one at that. Growing up in Albany on Second Avenue near Hoffman Park with her parents (Josephine and Alex), sister (Yvonne), and grandmother (Nanny), she blossomed into the gracious and beautiful person we all came to know and love. While in high school, she met a handsome, witty guy from the South End of Albany named Bob (Bobby to those closest). A few years later, in 1964, they wed and became devoted, lifelong partners.

While establishing what would become permanent roots in the Delmar suburbs, Mom embraced her new role as the mother of two boys. It didn’t take long for those around her to easily see the wonderful loving mom she was becoming. Growing up as her sons, we always felt Mom’s support, from her patient help with schoolwork to her undivided interest in our athletics/activities and friendships. We knew we were very lucky. She, through example, showed us the value of family (including grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins), friendships, compassion, commitment, good listening skills, and right vs. wrong (she maintained an arsenal of wooden “cooking” spoons for the rare but effective corrective action and denied bailouts of afterschool detentions – sorry, Matt). As she exhibited these traits, we readily saw the respect and appreciation others (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers) had for Mom; she was very approachable.

In our adult years, Mom’s presence and importance expanded even more. She welcomed a daughter-in-law (and her family, considering them as hers) with open arms and soon valued and loved Allisa as if she was her very own daughter. She extended her travels from the east coast to out west, particularly Arizona where she looked forward to visiting Matt and hearing of his many golf outings, watching different bird species (especially hummingbirds), viewing the red rock scenery, and rooting for Dad’s San Francisco Giants during spring training in Scottsdale (though, we suspect this was influenced by her shopping passion at Old Town Scottsdale boutiques – at least she made sure there were comfortable outside benches for Dad).

Then one day in the fall of 1998, Mom suddenly transformed into Nana, and what an exciting and natural transformation this was. While Mom was still mom, the Nana moniker had taken over, only to be reinforced in 2001 and again in 2008 (surprise). Oh, the pampering, attention, and endless love her three grand children would receive. They became her primary focus, and her childcare help through the years was so invaluable, comforting, and appreciated.

Shopping in Old Town Scottsdale in the Nana era would not compare to what was to come for Nana’s grand kids. This is where Nana’s attention to detail and ability to fully know one’s interests stood out. Birthdays and Christmas brought bottomless (magic-like) gift bags, all arranged with items in perfect order for opening; with highlights being American Girl dolls and their million accessories, Barbie dolls and the difficult to remove packaging, World Wrestling action figures, and video games. Clothing shopping for the grand kids was another story all together.

More importantly, Nana’s abundant support of her grand children’s activities was always present. From Julia’s ice hockey games (she even understood what “icing” was) to dance practices, recitals, and competitions (she could sit there for hours watching the different numbers, especially Lily’s ballet and lyrical) to Jack’s baseball and basketball games to their school concerts/events, Nana would most usually be there (can’t recall a grandmother along the way who out did her in attendance). The friends we made through these activities soon became Nana’s friends, too; they all enjoyed seeing and talking with her (and the same applied to our home neighbors). Her more recent travels involved extended family vacations to places like Virginia Beach and Cape Cod. She also influenced some of her grand kids interests and tastes: a John Denver music revival heard from Julia’s room (had some of us worried there would be a Barry Manilow resurrection); soap operas and certain reality TV shows (the Kardashians … seriously, Nana and Lily?); and honey mustard pretzel nuggets (began as a bribe when bringing Jack for his frequent allergy shots).

Mom/Nana, you mean so much more to us than words can completely say. We gratefully thank you for being the warm and wonderful person, mom, and nana you were; you gave us so much. While we selfishly were hoping for more time with you, we realistically couldn’t have asked or expected anything more. We will miss you beyond belief but will carry your selfless love, kindness, strength, bravery and all the great memories you blessed us with wherever we go. We will love you forever and pray that you are resting peacefully and still watching over us ‘til we meet again.

All our love,

Mike, Matt

Allisa

Julia, Lily and Jack