Monday, January 30, 2017
Dear Ty, Eva, Amy, Cora, Katie, spouses and Grace's grandchildren. Please accept our deepest sympathies with the passing of Grace. She was THE classiest woman, and one of the most amazing human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I remember so many great times at the Nutt house and I always saw your mom as a mother figure as well. Many times I went to talk with your mom when I was having troubles; as she was a wise woman. She always listened and offered great and much welcomed advice.
Your mom had a great sense of humor. I remember sitting at the top of the stairs every time my parents had a party. I would listen to your mom and all our friends who filled our house so many times. Conversations, often times light and filled with humor, other times highly energized, focused around politics,equal rights, and religion. At my mom's 70th birthday I spent times talking to your mom. As I was filming this festive occasion, I had your mom in my lens and she gave me this evil grin and winked. Later, when she got me alone in the kitchen she asked me when I was getting married to my friend Greg, who was also at the party. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were both gay!
One day my mom and I came over in the afternoon, and I was invited to go swimming with you girls!! I didn't really know how to swim at that point, yet I remember jumping off the diving board. When I got to the bottom of the pool I remember thinking, hmmm, how to I get to the top. Our moms were sitting up on your back porch, when your mom obviously noticed I hadn't surfaced. In a beautiful long dress, and having just come from having her hair done, she ran from the porch, jumped in the pool, and pulled my sorry-ass out of the pool. I felt SO guilty, but she acted as though it was no big deal.
That was your mom!
As times passed, I occasionally spoke with your mom on the phone. My favorite Christmas card, that I eagerly awaited EVERY year, was one that Grace sent me with the Nutt family photo taken down at the Jersey shore, Many other memories that I will always hold in my heart. Please know these past days I have thought about you all.
Your mom (grandmother) lived a great life, filled with the love of her amazing family. She is now back with your dad (grandfather). Perhaps they are both up there with their friends and family, sitting around having cocktails and continuing their great conversations and discussing how their lives all played out.
With much love,
Barb Mathers and Michell Fredericks
