beautifully written by my cousin Ryan. he captured everything we love about our grandmother. we will always love you. take care of grandpa and uncle Joey cause we all know they’ve been without your guidance for too long :) rest in peace. agentmlovestacos:
My grandmother passed away this week. It was so sudden. I got the call at 3pm on Monday that she was in the hospital and we lost her in the early morning hours. We had her wake yesterday and her funeral today. This week has been frantic and horrible and stressful and yet full of memories and tons of family whom we rarely if ever see. Death has a weird way of bringing people together.
Anyway, my grandma—Catherine Bentley Elmendorf—was 75 years old. She died young, by today’s standards. She grew up in Hell’s Kitchen. For really real, Hell’s Kitchen—in the ’30s and ’40s. She would tell me stories of growing up there all the time. She knew many kids who were part of the Irish gang the Westies. One of her favorite tales was how the neighborhood would go to church on a Sunday, and as soon as mass was over, the altar boys—members of the Westies—would “go off and whack somebody.” I remember, another time, we were driving in Manhattan, going west on one of the upper ’40s blocks. We were stopped at a light and she got all excited. She noticed a hotel or a hospital (I can’t fully remember at the moment) on the corner and she said how when she was younger there would always be a hooker right outside. She was almost sad to see that there was no hooker there any more.
Grandma was a badass biker chick back in the day. So badass, in fact, that she lost one of her pinkie toes in the spinning wheel of a motorcycle. My grandpa was also one righteous dude in his day.
She used to work in a factory making poodle skirts.
She had 5 kids and, at least, 13 grandkids.
In the ’80s, she worked in real estate in Manhattan. Some of people she rented apartments to were (at the time) WWF wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan and the Junkyard Dog. Being a big wrestling fan, she got me lots of autographed 8x10s.
She has an awesome collection of elephant statues, figurines and knick-knacks.
She loved the Beatles and Pink Floyd. If I close my eyes, I can see her dancing in her living room after putting on the Beatles.
The last time I saw her—just a few weeks ago—my wife and I went to her house a few days after Christmas. One of my uncles got her a fancy new TV and set it all up for her. She was so excited.
I’m writing this because I just need to get it out and she was an awesome lady who we love and will miss. I hope she’s hanging out with my grandpa and they’re dancing up a storm.
Reblogged from: agentmlovestacos
Originally posted by: agentmlovestacos
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davemaulding said:
I’m sorry to hear this. I know what it’s like to lose a close grandparent. She sounds like she was a great, remarkable lady with a hell of a life. Spreading her story like this honors her memory and helps keep her alive. Condolences.
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jetsetwannabe said:
The most wonderful thing I’ve read all day. Best wishes to you and your family!
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revisionof said:
I’m sorry for your loss. My grandmother passed away just last summer. Thanks for sharing your memories of her. She sounds like she was a kick ass lady.
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chris-graves said:
sorry bro. mine died back in August =[
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ninjastealth said:
I’m sorry to hear such a thing… She sounds like she was one awesome lady.
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badinfluencespeaks said:
I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing (and kick ass) woman.
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hutchiam said:
I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is so difficult, I actually lost my grandmother in November. Remember the good times :) she sounds like an awesome lady
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carnivaloftherandom said:
Ryan, I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. *hugs*
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bunnythecarrotslayer said:
I’m sorry for your loss, she sounds like she was one amazing, badass lady.
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hehuntshumansx reblogged this from agentmlovestacos and added:
beautifully written...my cousin Ryan. he captured everything
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buffduffdan said:
She sounds like an awesome lady. Thoughts are with you at this difficult time and RIP to your Grandma :(
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