My Grandmother just died

She would have been 96 next month, but she died in her sleep in Germany. She was one tough lady who lived through some really tough times.

A couple of things about my Oma. She spoke 6 languages, loved to sing and because of the long distance between us, I didn't get to see her as often as I would have liked, but every time I did see her, most recently about seven years ago when I visited last, she was always in good spirits. She didn't have much, but you would never know it.

In her later years, she loved this soap opera. No matter what, she would watch it every single day. "Reich und Schõn". I think it was "The Bold and the Beautiful dubbed into German.

She was living in Moscow in 1917 and witnessed the revolution. I asked her what that was like. Her only recollection was, "It was very noisy."

She lived in Poland for a time. Some of her best food was Jewish in origin and she spoke quite a bit of 'yiddish'. I often wondered, but never asked if some of the friends she had were lost in concentration camps.

Her husband was drafted by the German army and never came home. She started a relationship with another man and had a son. Years after the war was over, she received a letter from her husband who was still alive and living in the Soviet Union. He had been taken as a prisoner of war and after the war decided to remain in the Soviet Union. She wanted to go see him, but this was during Kruschev and the family did not let her go. He died there and the family received a letter from the Soviet government with a picture of him in a casket.

She recalled a time when the Soviet army was moving quickly on the area where they were living. She had two small children at the time, one my mother. If I remember correctly, it was in what was formerly East Germany. They were among a large group of women and children trying to make it to safety over some pretty treacherous terrain. A farmer with a cart pulled by a horse saw the group and asked what they were doing. He started to cry and told them that they would never make it. He then loaded up his cart with half of the group, covered them with blankets and tarps and brought them to safety, coming back to get the other half.

I wish I had more details, but by time I was old enough to really be interested in asking these types of questions, she was no longer capable of answering with great detail. A tragic loss.

My youngest daughter does carry her name though, Lydia.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's always difficult to know what to say in times like these... she sounded like a fine person. Try and take comfort in the knowledge that she's moved on to something better. :hug:

Her story, not her death. Her death is very sad, but her life was very, very cool!

DDQM

I am so sorry for your loss! She seems like she was a wonderful grandma. What a life she had! I'm sending you my condolences.

It's a great tibute to an amazing lady - a survivor!

Sorry for your loss. :-(

DemEx

Thinking about you today. You are so fortunate to have known her and learn from her. I'm glad her end was peaceful. Sending you a virtual hug,

Gina

this is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother...i feel honored that your shared it. sending you wishes of comfort in your time of grief.

She sounds like a very beautiful woman. May she rest in peace. My grandma's name was Lydia, also. Thank you for sharing a bit of her life and history.

We never seem to get around to getting info from our elders. I felt the same way when my MIL died without sharing my husband's childhood because she had several strokes.

Maybe you should write down all you do know for your kids.
Peace to you in this difficult time.

and then a person in such good spirits at the age of 96. You can't kill some people's spirits. I hope I will be like her at that age. My husband's grandparents died at the same age in 2000 and his grandmother always said, "Old age is not for the cowardly." because it is so tough at that age.

She said she was ready to go before she went and wasn't of any organized religion, but she believed they were both going on to some next, better world. So hopefully that is true and your grandmother is in the next world.

I hope you can get the remainder of the details from your living relatives, Her life sounded fascinating just for all the history she observed.

your grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman who lived an interesting and full life.
:hug:

it's hard no matter how old she was. But what a life, and what a woman!

You're lucky to have known her. Sorry for the loss.

sending hugs and warm thoughts..

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

:loveya:

You have our deepest condolences and best wishes.
Ron and Kaye

Where in Germany did she live?

these people, they know so much. what a legacy to give to you. when things get hard, think of her. she will be right there with you, holding your hand. I believe that with all my heart. My mom told my
little sister that when she needed to see grandma, look up at the sky and the brightest star was her.

Look up tonight. She'll be there.

Your grandma must have been a really great lady.