In Memory of Great Aunt Reta

Today's post is dedicated to my great aunt Reta, who died this morning.  She was 100 years old, and was in great health for the first 97 years.  ORBJ and I visited her in May / June.  Although she didn't really remember me, her eyes lit up when she saw ORBJ.  One of the staff at the nursing home asked if she knew ORBJ, and she replied "Oh, yes!" with a big smile.  (Soon after, she asked if I wanted to be called Billy.  I actually thought she was making a joke.)

However, we'll remember the good times.  She accompanied my mom and sister on a visit to Chicago when I was in graduate school there in the late 90s.  We met up with friends of mine for dinner, but there was a long wait for a table.  So my friend TK asked the hostess if we might be able to get a table sooner rather than later because my great aunt was rather frail.  So he came back to us and asked Reta if she could look a bit frail in hopes of getting a table faster.  Without hesitation, she replied (earnestly), "Well, I can try."  In truth, she probably had more stamina than my mom at that point.

Aunt Reta worked for years in DC for the federal government.  She loved to travel and traveled the world, often on cruises, until about 10 years ago.  She enjoyed discussing travel destinations with my wife, and she loved kids.  She always loved seeing the girls when we visited.

For example, here are a couple of photos from a trip from March 2008 with FABJ.

Aunt Reta and ORBJ on the town

Lounging with P-Rab at Aunt Reta's apartment

Although she will be missed, we have many fond memories of her that we will cherish.

March 2009 visit for the NCAA tournament

Fortunately, cheerleading is nonexistent in Ireland

Celebrating Aunt Reta's 97th birthday - "Cheers!" (May 2010)

During this dinner, Fiona was chowing down on bread and "sauce" as she called it (olive oil and balsamic vinegar).  So I told her that I was cutting her off.  She looked at me with the most innocent eyes and asked "Why are you cutting me off?"