Saying goodbye to my Granddaddy

Granddaddy with my mom Suzanne on the left

and my Aunt Grier on the right

1944

Today I had to say goodbye to my granddaddy,

a great man!

Eugene "Gene" is also my

my middle name, Stephanie Gene

His LIFE...

Christmas 1945

Granddady with my mom in his lap

1941

Granddaddy far right,

my mom infant on left

60th Wedding Anniversary 1996

MiMi and Granddad

Granddaddy and MiMi's 65th wedding anniversary

2001

 

My mom and my Granddaddy 2001

Now joined in heaven,

God bless their souls!

2008

2010

2010 

His Funeral

Posted in the paper...

Eugene Bernard "Gene" Gorrell, 93, of Lusby, MD passed away peacefully on October 24, 2011 at his residence. He was born on January 18, 1918 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Warren A. and Eda Kelly Gorrell. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Gorrell and daughter, Suzanne Lindsay. Gene is survived by his loving children, Grier Smokovich, Beth Wilkinson, and Kelly Gorrell; grandchildren, Stephanie, Jay, Amy, Kelly Anne, Marybeth, Molly, Kate, Keegan, Emily, Kelly, Keith Allen, and Christopher; and fourteen great grandchildren.

My granddady was the most wonderful man I have ever knew!  He was always there for me.  He was born during WWI and served in the Navy in WWII.  There were 14 million men and women who served in WWII and he was one of 2 million left.  He was strong, loving, a wonderful family man and he took care of me many times.... when my parents were in a car accident one summer, he and MiMi cared for us the entire time while my parents were recovering.

Today we celebrated his life. Many friends and family came together in Solomons Island, Maryland where they lived and attended church for almost 40 years. Granddaddy built his own retirment home. He was an electrician involved in the building of many Washington DC landmarks...... The National Cathedral, The Smithsonium Institute, The Senate Building, The World Bank and The University of Maryland, College Park. Stories from his friends and family were shared at the funeral and we laughed and cried! At 93 he saw the world change! An amazing life!!! Love you Granddaddy!

The Navy was there to play TAPS

and gave my Uncle Kelly the flag. 

My Uncle Kelly 

His Reception

Kevin and Me at the reception

My son Jimmy came home from college (WVU) for the weekend.

My son Matthew and Colin (my nephew).

Aunt Grier, Aunt Beth and me

My sister Amy and her family

Cousins!

Uncle Kelly and his family...

I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family!

Designing a wool quilt

15" x 28"

It's time....time to plan a Graduation present for our daughter.  She will be graduating from PEACE COLLEGE in Raleigh NC this spring with a degree in Forensic Anthropology.  She is currently in the process of applying to a PhD program.     

She took this picture in Mexico and it was one of her favorite pictures from the trip!  I think it will be a beautiful quilt.  Hopefully this will remind her about her great time and of her success.    

How I did it.....I took the picture above and used photoshop to improve the clearness of the design.  I next cropped it and printed it into 6 (8.5 x 11) sheets, printed out the 6 separate pages and then taped them all together. 

Sarah in Mexico during her Junior year trip.

More hand quilting done

close up of center square started in 1982 by my Mom,

hand quilted by myself.

This quilt was first blogged about here...

Center square fully hand quilted

This makes 5 of the 9 squares done and half the borders! 

Half way done!

My fingers hurt so it's time for a break and do something else....

Hmmmmm, what is next.  Maybe something from all the cool

stuff I found at mom's

(see last post!)

full view before starting to quilt

Mom's stash, tears of joy...

Found some wonder surprises while going through my mom's sewing stash.  Looks like she was planning on making me a new purse with this above flower.  I had asked her for a dark purse for fall.  She passed away in July and I am just now going through her room full for stuff.  This is only half of it!  Her sewing machine, supplies and fabric stash is next to amazing!  I am so excited because whenever I make something with any of these fabrics, I will think of her.  I think she has enough stuff here for me to never stop making things or thinking of her. She had tins and jars of buttons, monopoly peices, remote control insides, fabric, lining, interfacing, batting, ribbon, tons of embellishments and much, much more.  I couldn't help but tear up when going through this gold mine!  Everytime I see her stuff I think about how advanced and talented she was for her time.  She was 70 years when she passed and I can't help but think how lucky I am that she passed on this talent to me. My sister and brother had no desire for any of this stuff.  Amy, my sister only asked for me to provide her a simple sewing kit with needle and thread and everything else she knows she just ask me and I would do it for her!  I am BLESSED!!!!

Interesting needle work on top of fabric.

Thinking of possiblities for all of this! 

She was maticulous at her storage and kept things prestine!

I had to fill suitcases and laundry baskets to haul this home.  This is only the half of it!  I still have another trip to make!

I am so glad I kissed her a lot! 

She was always sewing, even in the hospital! 

Love you mom!