Fancy Grandmommy

 From Audrey-

Some may know that Marilyn's grandchildren sometimes called her "Fancy Grandmommy." It was a name I bestowed upon her as a toddler, because it was the most obvious way to distinguish her from my two other grandmothers - she had a beloved white dog named Fancy. As I got older and spoke with friends about my Fancy Grandmommy, they were amused, assuming that I called her that because she was a "fancy" lady. It never occurred to me before then, and it was humorous to think about me calling her fancy due to a lavish or extravagant lifestyle. That was certainly not her style! In fact, my earliest memories of visiting Fancy was at "The Barn" tucked away in a forest in Denton. In my memory, it was a small and cozy cabin that smelled of cedar and it felt magical. She has always had the most interesting nature-inspired trinkets dispersed throughout any house she's lived in. Each one with its own special story. I would get lost in a world of wonder playing with them, making music. I learned a lot from her about Native American traditions, "medicine" and "totems" from her. In fact I am pretty sure I liked to tell my friends she was a Cherokee Indian (around the time we were learning about them in school - why else would she have so much "indian stuff" about?).

Once my family moved to Amarillo (my elementary through high school years), we weren't able to see Fancy Grandmommy as much. But, skilled as she was with the computer, she found ways to stay connected with us. She would send us her blog postings, articles that made her think about us (often from Good News Network), blessings for when we went on trips (which tended to make her quite uneasy), and of course asked us for photos and about what we were up to lately. For one of her birthdays our family gave her an Aura Frame - a frame that allowed us to all upload pictures for her that would display as a slideshow. She kept it by her computer and she would always let me know how much she enjoyed the new photos we added. 

In 2015 I moved to Austin where she was living, which meant more visits to my Fancy Grandmommy's house - this time a small cabin by Lake Austin. As I write this, I see flashing scenes of me walking in her door over the years at different stages of my life and with the full gamut of emotions. Excited to tell her about a new boyfriend, a new job, travels... coming over with a heavy heart, feelings of hopelessness... proudly introducing my future husband and stepson... and especially sentimental, introducing her to Phoenix, her great grandbaby. One of my most special visits was when I was feeling rather down and she offered to read me my Native American totem animals. To this day I think about them (and her) and draw on their wisdom. 

Fancy Grandmommy's health kept her cooped up in her house, but there are a couple of times she left her home which really left a mark on me. The first was when I asked her to walk with me down to the edge of the water to look at the birds. She was a bit nervous, since walking down to the water meant walking back up. But we took our time and we sat quietly together, tuned into nature's sounds and smells. The second time was at my wedding, which was at my mom's house (just a few minutes down the road). I believe this was the last time she left her house, except as necessary for medical appointments. It meant the world to me that she was there. She was radiant as ever.

Not too long ago, after Fancy had moved into a nursing home, I was feeling especially overwhelmed and emotional. I got in my car and drove without a destination in mind. I ended up finding myself in her old neighborhood, parked by the playground in front of her house and walked down to the water. I took some deep breaths and thought of her and eventually calmed down. I saw flashes of lightening and the thunder boomed. Even though I wasn't quite ready to leave, I thought about how she would react if she saw me outside in the stormy conditions. I chuckled and got back in the car and drove home. 

I miss and love you Fancy Grandmommy. Thank you for all the special memories and making me feel loved. 

Love,

Audrey

Some of my favorite photos of her: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B195fk75vGmZD2R;A36BCD08-E828-443A-A98D-22468E0B7AD3

 

Marilyn Gladys Moragne 11/11/1939 - 12/08/2023

 Dear Friends and Family,

As most of you know, Mom died peacefully on December 8, 2023, from COPD complications. She had just turned 84 on November 11 and spent the last year of her life in a nursing home.  Although she wasn't excited about living at Park Manor, she more than once told me she felt safe there and didn't want to live elsewhere. Mom entered hospice in October. Just four days before her passing, she and I laughed and played Skip-Bo together. She was not fearful of dying; she was ready and had accepted with dignity that her fate was near.

Mom is predeceased by her eldest son, Craig Young. Losing Craig in October of 2021 was the turning point at which her health began to significantly decline.  She is survived by her son, Matthew Rider, and daughter, Carajean Archer; daughter-in-law, Amy Rider; son-in-law, Branch Archer; her grandchildren, Cameron and Hannah Young, Travis and Kelly Rider, Audrey Bohorquez, Ashlyn Frederiksen, and Tanner Archer; great-grandson, Phoenix Bohorquez; grandson-in-laws Erick Bohorquez and Erik Frederiksen.

Due to Mom's savvy computer skills and love of writing, she compiled, with the help of many others, The Ballinger High School Class of 1957, 50th Class Reunion handbook. She was very proud of this accomplishment and she kept it at her bedside until her passing. This handbook inspired her blog, which she continued for many years. It was her creative outlet and connection to the outside world. Mom was a journalist at heart, and because of her intellect and being so well-read, her topics were diverse, educational, humorous, and would often make one ponder. Over the years, she would email me her latest entries, and I would be challenged to find the time to read them as thoroughly as I should have. She would always ask, "Have you read my recent blog?" to which I would always say, "Yes!"... even though I may have skipped a few. Now, her blog is a gift, and I'm grateful I can continue to read it and feel her presence. 

Mom lived in many places during her lifetime. Because of her outgoing and spirited nature, she became a loving and loyal friend to many. She enjoyed sharing with me the handwritten letters and emails she would receive from all over the country. I fondly remember hearing her tell stories about her life's adventures with friends and family. Even later in life, she continued to make new friends with her neighbors and in the nursing home.

To know Mom is to know that she was very proud of her family. During her life's most difficult times, she would comment on how being a mother made her life worthwhile and the best thing she ever did. I was embarrassed by her family's "bragging" entries. However, I can collectively state that we all felt very loved by Mom, and she would fight tooth and nail for our well-being. She was a fighter and was always there for us. 

Mom was a caring, compassionate, and empathetic person.  She passed, being most concerned about world peace, the future of our planet, and the people that govern it. Her dying wish was that all her children and grandchildren vote, defend our democracy, and be respectful of our environment.

In many ways, Mom inspired me to become the best mother I can be. I am comforted in knowing her values, and moral character will continue to live on through my children and their children. 

I will leave it with a quote from Richard Bach, Illusions, that she posted in the handbook.

"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

I welcome any comments, pictures, or memories you would like to share about Mom on her blog.

Wishing you all the best,

Carajean