My grandmother was the most amazing woman I have ever had the chance to meet. Yes, she was my grandmother, but truth is she was my "step-grandma." However, I never called her by that... to me she was always Grandma. When we were little she would always send us the coolest Christmas presents or birthday presents. We would always get a card for nearly every holiday. I remember coming to Colorado and going swimming at her indoor pool. I thought it was the coolest thing ever to go swimming with my cousins. We went to places like Elitches, which is now Six Flags Elitch Gardens... also, we went to the aquarium in denver. She did so much for us that words cannot describe how wonderful she was. She even set up a way to help me pay for college. I am so grateful that she did that because I didn't have to pay off any loans and I left college debt free. She was such a wonderful woman, and never asked for anything in return, but I would never hesitate to give her the world.
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with her after she hurt her foot a couple of years ago, and it was such a pleasure to tie her shoe, or cook her meals. I helped her get dressed in the morning, and walked her dog. I absolutely loved doing for her because my entire life she always did for us.
Being mormon I constantly hear all the jokes about polygamy, and to be honest when I was younger I had a problem with people bringing that up, and me knowing that if I died my husband could remarry. However, one day everything clicked for me. I realized that if it weren't for this fact that a man can remarry after the death of his wife I wouldn't have my Grandma Jeane in the next life. I couldn't possibly allow that. So, here's the story... when my mother was 6 years old my biological grandmother (Grandma Kathleen) died from complications in childbirth. This means that when Grandpa passed away he could be sealed to Grandma Kathleen and my mom and her brothers could be sealed to their parents. However, the thought came to me... what about Grandma Jeane? She will be able to be sealed to Grandpa also. This made so much sense to me, and made me extremely happy.
Now, for those of you who aren't Latter-Day Saint (mormon) the sealing power allows what is bound on earth to be bound in heaven... this means that death cannot break the marriage of a man and a woman through the sealing power.
One of my favorite memories of my grandmother is from Christmas of 2002. We came up to Colorado, and my grandmother came up to me and handed me a very special gift that was her mother's. As she handed me this music box that was wrapped, and as I opened it my grandmother was crying. I will never forget that my grandmother told me "I think you should have this because you were named after my mother." As I began to cry I stood up and gave my grandma the biggest hug ever!
I hope to continue to live on her legacy. What a wonderful woman she was, and she was definitely and still is the guardian angel for my entire family.
Obituary of Jeane Alice Mayhoffer
It was my privilege at her funeral to read a poem which my brother wrote for grandma.
"I traveled the world across 92 years
I leave it all now to those I watched grow
The women and men that I leave behind
Are among the best I have known
My life is complete so I'm going home
To save a place for you there with those gone before
Where death ne'er again can divide."- John Edmund Baron
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| Mayhoffer Family Thanksgiving 2007 Since this picture we have added several more to the family, and I know my grandparents are proud of us all. |
My Grandma Christmas 2010.
She was always so happy! :)
At her funeral we sang: Amazing Grace and The Lord is My Shepherd. Also, a musical number for Be Still My Soul was done. I know my Grandma is and will always watch out for us.
Farewell to the most wonderful woman I have ever had the chance to meet. May you find peace and joy until we meet again! :)
