My Elder Life Story by Abby Goodpaster

goodpaa2 — 2023-09-26 19:24:39 UTC

Mary Jane Banks

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:48:03 UTC

My grandmother was born on April 17th, 1945 in Russellville, Alabama.

High School Sweethearts

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:49:32 UTC

My mammaw started dating my pappaw when they were in high school. She was a sophomore and he was a senior. By her junior year of high school they were engaged. The summer after she graduated high school, they got married on June 8th, 1963.

High School Graduation

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:50:16 UTC

She graduated high school in 1963 from Monroe High School. My pappaw also graduated from Monroe High School in 1961.

Young Married Life/Work

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:51:10 UTC

After graduating high school and marrying my pappaw, my mammaw joined the work force. She worked multiple part time jobs when they were first married. Years later, she decided to go to beauty school where she graduated and become a beautician. She worked at a salon called Fiesta which was really popular in Midwest Ohio. Later on, she become an instructor at a beauty school until retirement.

Starting a Family

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:53:20 UTC

My grandparents had 3 girls, one of them being my mom (left).

Childhood

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 18:57:35 UTC

My mammaw grew up as an only child. The closest thing she had to siblings were her cousins. She moved to Ohio when she was six years old and has lived in the Middletown/Monroe area for most of her life.

Church/Faith

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 19:00:38 UTC

My grandparents have always been very involved in church. They attended every service: Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. They also attended any events the church held. They always made sure their daughters were involved in church as well. As their granddaughter, I can say that their faith in God has always been evident and they have always been great examples for me as I strive to be a better Christian.

Holidays

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 19:01:35 UTC

Mammaw Jane loves holidays because she gets to see all of her family and host for everybody! Christmas is her favorite because she loves giving gifts, especially when it comes to her grandkids. She also loves all of the decorating, Christmas lights, and family get-togethers.

Retirement and Grandkids!

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 19:03:01 UTC

If there is anything my mammaw loves more than Jesus and her late husband, it is her grandchildren. They are her pride and joy. She has 10 grandkids! My grandparents spent so many years going to all of our sporting events, birthday parties, graduations, etc.

Losing Ernie

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 19:06:29 UTC

On October 13th, 2021, my mammaw lost the love of her life and her best friend- my pappaw Ernie. This was the hardest thing she had ever experienced in her life. They were about to hit their 60 year anniversary when he got really sick and passed away. You never saw one of them without the other. This loss took a big toll on her for a while, both mentally and physically.

Falls, hospitals, and rehab

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 19:12:39 UTC

After my pappaw passed, my mammaw experienced a lot of challenges not only mentally, but physically. She already did not get around very well on her own, but after my pappaw passed away and she wasn't eating or sleeping enough, she was weak and fragile and needed someone there to help her perform her ADLs. One day while home alone, she fell and shattered her hip. She was taken to the hospital where she had a hip replacement surgery. She was very sick for a long time at the hospital before they thought she was ready to go to rehab. She had multiple occurrences of falls and hopsital visits and rehab visits before she ended up selling her house and moving into an assisted living facility.

A New Home

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 23:34:54 UTC

After deciding that it was unmanageable for my mammaw to live at home by herself, my parents and my mammaw's other two daughters decided that it would be best for my mammaw to live in a long-term care facility where she could have assistance when needed 24/7. My mammaw was hesitant at first, but after taking a tour of the Tapestry Assisted Living facility, she decided that she may really enjoy living in a nice place that provides her with food, help with laundry and performing ADLs, and the opportunity to meet new friends and do fun things. She decided that was the place for her and she moved in to this place on December 24th, 2022. She still currently lives at the Tapestry.

First GREAT Grandchild

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-27 23:35:13 UTC

Something that brings my mammaw joy is my brother's son, baby Cole, who is her first great greatchild.

Thank You Letter

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-28 03:38:22 UTC

My Reflection

goodpaa2 — 2023-11-28 03:58:23 UTC