Day 4 of the #30DayFHWChallenge is to write an obituary for an ancestor. Be sure to include information about any surviving ancestors, the deceased’s occupation, and his age at death.
My grandma, Clara Lou Peters Stewart, died in September of 2002. While my aunt, who is the gossip columnist for our local paper, wrote a fitting tribute to her and said thank you for those who helped with her battle against polycystic kidney disease, I always felt my grandmother’s original obituary was quite lacking. I know it’s hard to pack all the details of one’s life into a few short paragraphs and surely things do get omitted. This would be my obituary from a grandchild’s perspective.
Clara Lou Peters Stewart passed away September 3, 2002. She could frequently be seen riding around town on her tandem bicycle with her husband Archie or a random grandchild in tow. Clara was the perennial “Buckeye” candy maker for the holidays; her cookie tray was the highlight of every family function. She was the go-go “forehead rub” professional for persistent migraines and for grandchildren fighting much needed sleep. Clara tended her many roses with feverish dedication, always having one cut and on her desk at the bank, earning her the local designation as the “Rose Lady.” She kept a large collection of bells from all of her travels in her kitchen and guarded it from her many grandchildren’s sticky fingers like a hawk, though on occasion, she’d bring out a few for ringing. Her upstairs closet was that of a theater performer being packed with wigs, furs and costumes from community plays long ago. Clara was always the life of the party and could be found at 4th of July celebrations dancing in her kitchen in her socks to the sound of big band music.
While Clara left behind many happy memories to cherish, there are now heartbroken hearts instead – most notably her husband, Glenn Archie Stewart, three daughters (Lisa, Lori & Amy) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her laughter, her bright shining eyes, her big “bling” jewelry and even her rosey Avon perfume will surely be missed by all.
