Losing another WWII Vet

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I've been away for some time, about to disappear again for some time. Know things in life happen but just got a gut punch this weekend. My 90 year old mother has terminal cancer, a few months to live. She will be gone before I return.

She served Her Majesty's Empire in Intelligence. No idea what she did, she never did say. Her brothers and sister served in the RAF, they have all passed. She is the next to last of her generation in our family.

My office will be giving me a week off to spend with her, it will be bitter sweet. She is still active, in control of her faculties. I know she wants to talk about old times, things to come. There are only three of us left in this side of the family and we will all be there together.

I am looking out old photos so she can see them. She has many old photos from the 1800's on. Wish we could go through those, never took the time before. Will no longer have the time. I do have the family history so eventually I will be able to put it all together for my cousins.

[recycled sixtie]

I understand your situation. My mother passed away in July of 2012. My father was a RAF pilot in WW2. He died in 1967. You have my sympathy. It is tough.
Guy.

[Baz]

VERY sorry to hear this David. Good to hear you and your other surviving family members will be there for her and for each other - that helps. She lived a full life I would say - that's all one can ask for.

Give her a kiss on the forehead from me and tell her thanks for her service from someone who also had parents who served.

All the best,
Baz

[Hawkeye's-911T]

I do have the family history so eventually I will be able to put it all together for my cousins.

Make that happen David. It will be very much appreciated by all your family. I have first hand experience.
All the best to you & yours
JB

[Jolly Amaranto]

Sorry to hear about your mom. It has been years since my mom passed away. In the last years she did open up about her WWII service as an nurse in the US Army. She served in Australia and the South Pacific. She had some awesome stories. Glad I was able to hear them.

[Baz]

FWIW - my Mom is still with us - 91 y/o and still living independently on her own - driving - shopping - traveling - everything. But...even so we (my 2 brothers and myself) have encouraged her to document as much detail of her life as possible - including her and our Dad's history.

In fact, just this past July she wrote a fairly long email to all 3 of us including a LOT of details about both their experiences in the Navy. Including this little gem about how they first met....and got hitched:

Two young Navy Officers came over and asked us to dance. Your Dad asked Sally - and I danced with the other guy. When we sat down your Dad grabbed me and that was the start of our romance. He had free time but I had to work. When he found out his ship was by-passing Norfolk and was anchoring off Newport, R.I. he had to leave. I had already gone by train to meet Grandpa & Grandpa and your Dad had proposed to me giving me a gorgeous ring. I wanted to wait until I was discharged and go home for the wedding. My Service was extended for 6 months so it would be April or May before I would be released. Your father put a lot of pressure on me to marry him as soon as possible. If I married the Navy would then give me a discharge. Going from Virginia to Boston to get married was quite a weather change for me It was so cold and icy everywhere. My upper bunkmate at my Base was discharged after the war and lived in Boston. She was my maid of honor.

That's pretty good to remember so much - I wish MY memory was that good - sometimes I can't even remember what I did yesterday!

I encourage everyone to spend some time with your folks - before it's too late - now with the Internet it's much easier - get as much background info as you can for posterity!

[Lothar]

David,

Make the most of the time you have. My Father was a WWII vet and my Mother's three brothers all served in WWII. They are all gone now. There are so few left. They truly were the Greatest Generation. I'm sure she leaves a wonderful legacy.

Peace.