The last coherent thing my Gram said to me was, "It's hell getting old." (This was the only time I ever heard her curse.) She died 2 years later, at 99.

What a life. She came from Poland through Ellis Island at age 9. Married at 21. Widowed before 40. Sewed parachutes in the war. Supported herself as a seamstress and sewing teacher for decades. Specialized in weddings, before Vera Wang. Gardened. Babysat. Took road trips. Made homemade mushroom soup every Christmas Eve. Loved a crowd. Crocheted lap blankets for charity after she could no longer sew.

Famous for saying, "I saw something new so I thought I'd try it" and "They always say it's 'good to the last drop, but what about the last drop?!'"

Happy grandmother. Delighted great-grandmother of 14. My "third parent."