October 3, 2008

Maxine Cook Harris


My sweet Grandma passed away Wednesday morning. There are no words to say how sad we all are. She was the greatest Grandma you could ask for. So many memories have come flooding back to me this week, I wanted to share a few of them.

My Grandma was an excellent seamstress. She also did embroidery and quilted. When we were younger, my cousins and I all received handmade Pound Puppies, Cabbage Patch Dolls and quilts. As we grew up, they turned into dish towels and baby blankets. I finally got to use the pink baby blanket (with a cute poem attached explaining it was not for use now, but to go in my cedar chest for later) with Molly. My Grandma was a mean Phase 10 and Domino's player. She could recite any nursery rhyme or sing any song from her childhood without missing a beat. She and my Grandpa put up with 9 grandchildren on a week's camping trip every summer, and I think they even liked it. She made the best raspberry jam, dilly beans and my personal favorite, pine nut stuffing.


My favorite memory of all is that she worked in the lunch room at my elementary school. I thought it was pretty neat to be able to see my Grandma every day at lunch. All the other lunch room ladies knew my name and would say Hi to me as I went through the line. She would bring extra peanut butter bars to our house. Once I was old enough to start working in the lunch room, it was great, I didn't get stuck doing the crappy jobs, like the dishes. If you attended Sego Lily Elementary and worked in the lunch room, you probably met my Grandma. Josh remembers her, because once while he was working he got in trouble for building a dam out of food where the students dropped off their trays. She should have warned me about that boy way back then!

You can view her obituary here.

11 comments:

Heather J said...

I am so sorry to hear about your grandma. She was a neat lady. If there is anything I can do, let me know.

Ines said...

My condolences to you and your family, Kellie. It sounds like your grandma was a really neat lady. I'm sure heaven is an even happier place with her residing there now.

Clark Fam said...

Sorry to hear about yoru Grandma. I was sad to hear of her passing. Thanks for sharing some of your memories. I have of few of her myself. I remember one crishtmas when we were doing the white elephant game and Quinn brought an old pair of contacts. Your Grandma didnt think that was too funny. :) Maxine was one of the sweetest people I have ever known.

Natilie said...

So sorry to hear about your Grandma. She sounded pretty amazing. What exactly is a dilly bean?

Annie said...

Sorry to hear about your Grandma. She was such a cute, sweet lady. I love that you have all of those fun memories that you will always be able to share with your kids. I remember being little and my mom would say oh, look theres Grandma and Grandpa Harris. For the longest time I thought they were my grandparents too!

Kristie said...

Kelli, Sorry about your grandma. Grandmas are the best. I have such great memories of mine also. Hey is that your first husband in the picture. He's to clean cut to be Josh.

Mike, Torie and Boys said...

Kell,
Sorry about your Grandma. Sounded like she was amazing.

Have you seen the weather for Saturday? What do you think?
Call me.

Clark Fam said...

The funeral was good. You're little brother did awesome! I was so impressed with his comments.

Quiggle said...

Thanks for the reminder of the dilly beans!! I loved those. Gandma always spoiled me by making a batch of stuffing without the pine nuts. She aimed to please! We were so spoiled.

BALL said...

So sorry to hear about your grandma, that was a wonderful tribute you wrote!

Anna D. said...

I'm sorry about your grandma. I love to see all of the pictures.