Kimberly (Gregory) Reilly

#4

July 11th, 2013 8:19 pm

"Pal" was Gammy's (my grandmothers) best friend. From my perspective as a young child: I remember spending many hours at Pal's house playing Scrabble with Mrs. Walling. Her house was cool and per porch was hot. She had cats and a big yard and a big garage with a loft that I wasn't supposed to climb into, but I did. It had a big car in it, but I didn't think that she drove it all that much. She had a pool that I couldn't go in unless my grandparents were there and eventually the pool was gone. Her porch had a TON of magazines. Gammy said that they used to go on vacation with Pal and Scrubby all the time. They would go to the beach and stay in a "cabin" that didn't have a bathroom. During "The Great Depression", they would get together on the weekends and everyone would bring one item to add to the boiling pot of stew. Gammy said it was the best time of their lives. Scrubby was REALLY REALLY tall, but died when I was very young. Gammy said that they were in the "Scissorettes" together and I have a pin to this day that says "Scissorettes". When I went to Pals's house, she was always cooking something on the stove. Pop (my grandfather) and I used to mow her lawn on her riding mower, it was really hot when we had to do that. One time, Pal got really sick and Gammy and Pop had to go see her "on her last night" - I think that was @ 1989... Pal was near many of the memories I have of my grandparents. She was a beloved friend to them and as I recall a feisty, brilliant woman. I pray that she is reunited with Scrubby and my grandparents and the boiling pot of stew over-flow'ith. Thank you for the support, friendship and blessed life you shared with Gammy and Pop, Pal. Much Love, Kimberly (Gregory) Reilly

Heidi Kim Schroeder

#3

July 11th, 2013 3:14 pm

My mother always said, if you meet someone you like, find out what it is and emulate it. There are so many things that she liked about this woman, Marion Strowbridge, that they became best friends! The story goes that they were decorating the officers’ club on December 7th, 1941. Standing up on ladders when they heard that Pearl Harbor was being bombed. This also happened to be Marion Strowbridge’s birthday! Needless to say, I never forgot her birthday. The other oddity of this meeting was that both women were named MARION. Yep, Marion just like John Wayne, and spelled like it too! As she story goes, in my memory, in order to keep it straight, which woman we were talking to, Marion Strowbridge became Fannie. (much later she became my Aunt Fannie) Well, there was a problem with that too! Her mother’s name was Fannie. ‘Old Fannie’ and ‘Young Fannie’ seemed to solve that one. I always looked forward to a letter from Aunt Fannie.(just a little ‘other side’ tease-she passed owing me a letter) she had such a wonderful way with words. She always knew how to make me laugh. I read and reread her letters over and over again. I think this was a wonderful gift that she shared with many! I may not get all the details right in this little story, but you will certainly get the idea of her funny and witty sense of humor. A bat had gotten in her house, she grabbed a tennis racket and chased it around the dining room! The same day a squirrel decided to visit. He didn’t have an invitation! So off she goes chasing him around the house. We should be sure not to forget the owl who found his entry down the chimney! A more recent story, was about gremlins she suspected had taken over the electrical system throughout her house. She had two lamps which periodically stop working for no apparent reason. All connections, wiring and bulbs were checked out, but no problems were found. Then, maybe three weeks later, all the lights suddenly came back on! Then the next day one light blacked out as well as a small lamp she used for a night light. Her phone would work one day and then the next day, no dial tone. The phone problem affected her LifeLine and the company called her to find out if she was okay. Suddenly everything worked again. Now, the cherry on top, the lights over the kitchen table turned on perfectly but then wouldn’t turn off! Fannie said she had an image in her head of the gremlins holding laugh sessions at her aggravation. This should give you an insight to my Aunt Fannie...............I love her and always will. I will certainly miss her sharp wit and her wonderful stories. My love will follow her always. Heidi Kim Schroeder daughter of Marion Ash Straub Schroeder and William Chris Schroeder

Nina Weston

#2

July 11th, 2013 1:22 pm

Fannie was a wonderful, wonderful woman with a bright, intelligent sense of humor. My mom (Marion Straub Schroeder) and Fannie were best friends for almost 50 years. She loved people who were characters and Fannie was a funny, sweet character who told amazing stories! She went through life with her share of sorrows but always held onto the goodness in life. She loved and was loved, which to me is the test of a life well-lived. The world has one less person who helped tipped the scales in favor of love and she will be greatly missed. What brings me joy is thinking of Fannie reunited with her Scrubby once again. I picture them together running around heaven laughing and making God laugh by telling Him funny stories!

Karen Thornton

#1

July 10th, 2013 12:09 pm

I am so sorry to hear of Marion's passing. She was such a kind and gentle woman. I enjoyed taking care of her while she was in our Skilled Nursing Unit and loved seeing her walk around the facility after moving in to her own apartment. Her smile will surely be missed around here. God Bless and my prayers to her family. xo Karen