With a Broom in Her Hand

Our mom's sister, Aunt Jackie, passed away November 23, 2008, at the age of 85.

By Sandra: I always thought of her as the Energizer Bunny with a broom. At the cabins she was always fighting the losing battle with the oak leaves. And when she wasn't doing that, she never seemed to be still -- she was always busy doing something.

I have vague memories of spending time at her house when I was very young. The two things I remember best is that silly little bird that was filled with liquid that dipped his head in the water over and over again, and one Christmas Kelly Don got one of those football games with the magnetic men that vibrated across the field to make a touchdown. The main thing I remember is being well loved, well fed, and well taken care of when I was in her care.

By Brenda: I remember her broom. Oh my, how she loved to sweep. I realize that now in my older years, it was a form of therapy. My memory of spending time at her house as a young child is vague also. I can still picture Kelly Don sitting in her lap when we were younger with his hand on her ear playing with her ear and earrings. I was always fascinated by that for some reason. I had the honor of living in the same town with her for the last 22 years and even though I didn't stop by often, you were always welcomed with open arms and an offer of whatever she had cooked for the day. As my son, Travis, grew up she always had a special Halloween treat ready for him at her house when I would bring him by to "trick or treat". She was a special lady and she will be missed.

By Bethany: I stayed with Aunt Jackie when I was young and Dad and Mom both worked. I remember Kaptain Kangroo in front of the TV. Always having something good to eat. And some of those crazy Chandler girls putting mayonaise on red beans and some of those Chandler girls putting sugar on those good ole' red beans. I remember taking an ice pick and poking one hole in the middle of the metal Dr Pepper cap and sucking out the sweet liquid. I guess I am dating myself since some of you will not remember the metal lids. She was a smart lady, I bet it took us 5 times as long to finish a Dr Pepper that way. I also have memories of dropping peanuts down into those bottles when we did pop the lids off with a bottle opener. The only time I remember getting into any trouble with Aunt Jackie is when we drove Gay-Gay or Kelly Don crazy. (many times over I'm sure) My cousin Jack and I are the same age and always close. Well, he will tell you he is older by a few months than me. I never got into trouble with him because he still thinks or I should say knows that I am perfect. In those rare cases of when I did get into trouble with Aunt Jackie, she always threatened me with a wet fly swatter. Of course, she never really used it on me. It was the wet part that always made me behave. I also remember also all the craft projects she and I did together and separately. Oh what fun!!!! Aunt Jackie will be loved and missed by all but her loving memories will always be close to my heart.

By Lisa: I shouldn't have let my sisters go before me. Most of my best memories from childhood are the same as theirs. I know that I don't remember any kid ever getting in trouble while they were at her house. She was just like my Granny Erna (her mother) in that regard.
My most recent memories of her are some of my favorites though. She owned the cabin next to ours out at Telegraph. And during the years that we spent alot of time out there, she was usually aways there also. Our cabins are under huge old oak trees, so you know how many leaves fall from them in the spring. So, yes, I also will never think about her without seeing her with her broom in her hand. Even during the last couple of years when she wasn't at her cabin when we were out there, I could look down the sidewalk that connected the two, and I swear I could see her sweeping. I'm sure I always will. And after she got her big deck and porch swept off, she would head down the sidewalk towards our cabin, sweeping all the way. She wouldn't stop until she also had ours all swept clean, too. And like Brenda said, I now realize this was probably a form of stress relief. Better than yoga now that I think about it, because you had accomplished something when you were through. Neal reminded me last night about something Lily said when she was little. Lily was probably 3 or so, and we were at the cabin but Aunt Jackie wasn't out at hers and Lily asked, "Where's the sweeping lady?" She also made the best peach cobbler of all times when we were all at the cabins. I have never eaten any better, especially the crust. And lastly, I'll never forget sitting out on the deck at the cabin with Aunt Jackie and my mother. It was highly entertaining to listen to them talk. You'll notice I didn't say converse because they mostly didn't. They both talked constantly, and I mean non-stop, at the same time without even listening to what the other one was saying. But they both were happy regardless. They had a great time spending time with each other, even before they opened their Mogan David wine. And they both left feeling that they were all caught up with each other I guess. We'll miss you, Aunt Jackie. It makes me feel good to think about you being back together with Granny Erna, Colie and Aunt T.