• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

  • HOME
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • FAQ
  • CONTACT

Ruth Kay: 1918 – 2014

July 1, 2014 by WendyB

My mother’s mother, Ruth Kay, died last night. She was 95 years old. Her grandchildren called her “Nanny” when they were young, then “Nan.” Her three great-grandchildren knew her as “G.G.” for “great-grandma.”

Nan’s husband, Sam, aka “Papa,” died of a heart attack in 1983.

nan 3

Me with Nan and Papa in the 1970s.

Papa died just a few weeks before my 16th birthday. He must have felt it coming because he insisted that he and Nan give me the gold bangle they’d got me early. I still have it, of course.

bracelet

The left frame shows the inscription. The right shows the bracelet on my arm today. Click to enlarge.

Nan had been unwell for quite a while. I think Mother’s Day in 2012 was her last good outing.

nanossie-682x1024

Mother’s Day 2012. Click for my original post.

Nan’s survivors include her two daughters: my mother, BarbaraB, and Mom’s younger sister Susan.  Her grandchildren are me; my younger sister, Terri Berry; and Susan’s son, our cousin Gary.

nangroup

The ladies in the family, circa 2000. From left: Susan, Terri, Nan, me, BarbaraB.

Her great-grandchildren are Sammy, Sebastian and Sabrina. All the “S” names were inspired by Papa’s first name.

nan 1

Nan at my wedding in 2001.

I don’t believe in an afterlife, but I do enjoy contemplating what the ideal one would be. I’ve decided that it would be an A+ version of a typical day. So, in my imagination, Nan is on her way to the local beauty parlor where she will get the Best! Hairdo! Ever! while having a good gossip. Then she’s going to go home and make excellent potato latkes and very dry sponge cake for Papa.  I explained this concept to my gorgeous friend Stacy and she said, “I hope your Nan figures out how to make her cake less dry!” I said no way — Papa won’t recognize her if the cake is different! Besides, it’s an A+ day, so he’ll praise it more than ever.

RIP, Nan.

UPDATED TO ADD: I guess I was so shocked by this news that I forgot to share my No. 1 Nan story. Luckily, BarbaraB reminded me of it. I was Nan’s first grandchild. After I was born, Nan was brought to the nursery to take a look at me. She then turned to my mother’s doctor and declared:

“Doctor … THERE LIES A GENIUS!”

The doctor was all, “Um … I take it this is your first grandchild?” Nan was like, “Yeah, and she’s a genius.”

Nan must have told me this a thousand times during my childhood. Thanks for having faith in my smarts, Nan!

UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD: BarbaraB wrote, “She and Papa adored you. You used to sit on her back. When you got excited and kicked your feet, Papa would love it so. He said, ‘She just crawls into your heart.” Nan gave you a string to play with and it kept you busy while you marveled at it. She also sang ‘Us on a Bus.’ And gave you and Terri farmer cheese.”

She gave me farmer cheese right up until the day she had to move out of her house a couple of years ago. I still think farmer cheese is the best.

er

You might also like
Book Club: A Distant Mirror, Part III
RIP, DJ Furoche
RIP, Al Radley

Filed Under: gorgeous family, obits, vintage WendyB photos

« Having a Jeff Koons Moment
Looking Back: Mother and Daughter »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Louise says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:06 am

    My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Nan.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Thanks, Louise!

  2. Stacy says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:25 am

    What a beautiful woman (love her at your wedding) and beautiful family. So glad you have the bracelet. And obviously Nan was a smarty for recognizing your genius 😉

    So sorry for your loss, she sounded like an incredible lady.

    RIP Nan.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Ruth was one of a kind!

  3. Patti says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:44 am

    So sorry for your loss of Nan. She was a big supporter, and we need all the supporters we can get. I hope her heaven is just as you wrote!

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Thanks, Patti.

  4. Lynn says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:55 am

    In the 2012 photo, I see that Nan was wearing your heart necklace. So sweet.

    Atheist blessings to you and your family.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Good eye! Yes, it was engraved “G.G.” for great-grandma!

  5. déjà pseu says

    July 1, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear Nan. Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories of her.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:49 pm

      Thanks, Susan.

  6. Christine says

    July 1, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Nan sounds like a real cracker, and i hope she’s making that extra dry cake right now for your Papa.

    Christine xoxo

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:49 pm

      This made me smile!

  7. Patt says

    July 1, 2014 at 10:52 am

    My sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Thank you for sharing your fond memories of your Nan!

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks, Patt.

  8. Jennine says

    July 1, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Oh Wendy, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks, Jennine!

  9. Amber of Butane Anvil says

    July 1, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you for these wonderful stories of your Nan! My condolences and all kindest thoughts to you and your family, WendyB.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks, Amber.

  10. Susan Partlan says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    So very sorry to hear this sad news. Your dear Nan sounds like a wonderful person. And farmer cheese is the absolute best cheese ever. Sending love and hugs to you and your family Wendy. xoxo

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      I’m glad someone else understands farmer cheese.

      I need to go get some tonight. I haven’t had it in ages.

  11. Stephanie Loudmouth says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    This is awesome! Such wonderful old stories and photos — what a beautiful tribute to your Nan.

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Thank you 🙂

  12. GeorgeB says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Lovely. Farmer cheese with raisins or plain?

    • WendyB says

      July 1, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Plain! Ew, raisins?!?!

  13. Monika Faulkner says

    July 2, 2014 at 2:26 am

    So very sorry for your loss, dear Wendy. Grandmas always have a special place in our hearts…and I know your “Nan” will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:58 am

      xoxo

  14. HelOnWheels says

    July 2, 2014 at 11:04 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Your Nan sounds like an amazing woman.

    And farmer cheese is THE BEST!!

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Not enough people appreciate farmer cheese.

  15. AK says

    July 2, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss. How wonderful that you have so many great memories of her. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort.

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Thank you so much.

  16. Kait says

    July 2, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing her with us. Sorry for the loss of her.

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:56 am

      Thanks, Kait.

  17. K-Line says

    July 2, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Your nan is no doubt one of the women in your life who taught you to kick ass. What a lovely tribute and I am thinking of you (and your family) at this time. Kxxo

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:56 am

      Thanks, K-Line!

  18. Alexis Grace of NorthOnHarper says

    July 3, 2014 at 5:16 am

    Aww Wendy, I am sorry for your loss! But I am so glad you have such fond memories and got so much time with your grandmother!

    • WendyB says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:56 am

      Thank you!

  19. Suzanne says

    July 3, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    So sorry for your loss. What lovely memories you have of her though.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • WendyB says

      July 4, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks, Suzanne.

  20. Jet aka Punk Glam Queen says

    July 3, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    So sorry for your loss, lovely tribute. I still miss my “mama” even though (she passed too young), when I was 11 or 12. Grandmothers can be so amazing, I wish I could write about her life but I’m too selfish & like keeping her amazing, although bittersweet life all to myself (and my family.) XXX

    • WendyB says

      July 4, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Well, now you’ve got me all intrigued :-O

Primary Sidebar

MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

About Wendy awards shows blogs and bloggers Celebrities designers Dogs dresses earrings Fashion feminism gorgeous family gorgeous friends holidays insanity In the News jewel of the month Jewelry movies music my designs necklaces Ossie Clark outfit post pictures of me politics prada Press rings shoes shopping suggestions Throwback Thursday travel TV video vintage vintage designers vintage WendyB photos week in review What Wendy Wore zang toi

POPULAR TOPICS

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe for Email updates.
* indicates required

Original jewelry designs, photos and text are © Wendy Brandes 2007-2016. All rights reserved.

© 2016 · FOODIE PRO THEME COPYRIGHT BY · SHAY BOCKS GENESIS FRAMEWORK · BUILT ON THE WORDPRESS