Grandma J's Passing

Grandma Margaret Johnson, Easter 2012

My last remaining grandparent on my side, Margaret Alice O'Neil Johnson, passed away this morning, 9:43 A.M. She had breast cancer a few years ago, and after a mastectomy and treatments, was cancer-free. We found out last week that the cancer had returned, with tumors on her spinal column and problems with her liver. They tried a hormone shot, hoping to extend her life a few months, but it didn't seem to work. The doctor offered chemo, with the declaration that it wouldn't reverse previous damage, just prevent further spread. He gave her up to two weeks, so my wonderful Aunts and Mother arranged for Hospice workers to come. Yesterday she had a "death rattle," and Mom explained it would probably be a day or two. While I find it interesting that my grandparents have chosen holidays on which to die (Grandpa Hooper around Memorial Day, Grandma Hooper on Father's Day, Grandpa Johnson on Mother's Day), I thought about next week's holiday. Grandma passed away a week before Good Friday, representing the day the Savior passed away on the cross before being lain in the tomb and rising again on the third day, Easter Sunday. I do know that Heavenly Father has a plan for our family, and one of the most hopeful parts is the Eternal Family. Because Jesus Christ died and rose again, every person who has ever lived on the earth has been able to receive a body and will be resurrected to immortality. Because of His Atonement, we also have the opportunity to not just live forever, but live forever with Heavenly Father and with our families if we follow the teachings of Christ and do what He and our Heavenly Father have asked of us. I know Grandma J is very relieved and excited to reunite with Grandpa, just shy of her 75th birthday. Thanks for staying as long as you did, Grandma, even though I told you time and again you were supposed to live to be 100. We love you.

Johnsons Gather for Mothers

C. Brent and Grandma Johnson Family; May 2012

My parents came to a wedding reception in Idaho, so I travelled back with them and stayed for the weekend. Zak drove down on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day with us at Grandma J's house. I enjoyed spending time with my brothers at home and at the park, where we actually played soccer. This is a big deal, because family bonding time with me is pretty much a sedentary activity.

Mother's Day can be difficult for Grandma, as that was when Grandpa died. She let us know that this year she'd like to have everyone around her to celebrate. For the love of mothers, all but those whom the military keeps sending away were able to gather and eat delicious food. Thanks be to mothers and all they do to keep families together.


My uncle posed for that top shot. Just sayin'.  

Grandma J and her brother

Nicole in front of Winifred

Grandma J in Bloom

Grandma Johnson celebrates her birthday in April, as do Dad, Bruder Aaron, and I. She shares her birthday with Shakespeare. Grandpa Hooper shared his with Einstein, which we celebrate every year as Pi Day (3.14). Grandpa Johnson passed away a few years ago, so Grandma claims she'd rather not live that many more years, but I have insisted for almost a decade that she has to reach 100. She was the only grandparent I had living when I married Zak and inherited four more. Here is my audacious Grandma J.

O'Neil kids in the 1940s

Grandma J and her two brothers, Bob and Dale in the mid- to late-1940s or so.  It's the O'Neil line that gets stuck in the shortest number of steps.  Their mom, Auretta Empey O'Neil, documented a lot of the family history, so the Empey line is clear, but her husband's line only goes back to Ireland around 1800.  Henry J. O'Neil and Bridget Duffey emigrated from Ireland to Canada, and then lived and died in Colorado.