Monday, June 24, 2024
I have so many cherished childhood memories of Aunt Beth and my grandmother Elsie (Nanny) laughing together and having fun. As a little girl living on Circular Road in the same house as Nanny, I used to love when Aunt Beth would come visit, as I knew it would mean a time filled with stories and laughter. I would delight in these visits because I never saw Nanny laugh as joyfully and as true as when her and Aunt Beth reminisced about all the adventures and “badness” they got up to as girls. No matter their age, when they were together, they had such a contagious youthful exuberance and humour, that it was impossible not to smile along with them.
As I got older, my appreciation for Aunt Beth deepened even more. I loved talking with her and hearing about her remarkable life. She always took such an interest in my life as well and even after I moved away from Newfoundland, she would ask Mom about me. Whenever I was back home for a visit, I truly valued being able to spend time with her.
I also saw in her the remarkable strength and love that I saw and cherished in Nanny and after her passing, I came to treasure those qualities in Aunt Beth even more. She was a woman ahead of her time; modern, witty and fun and with such a diversity of experience, knowledge and wisdom. She will be greatly missed but fondly remembered for her incredible humour, intelligence, spirit and most of all, love.