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Old Mrs. Zink
Had a purple sink
A polka-dotted car that wouldn’t go very far
She had an orange duck that couldn't even quack
Now isn't this a silly song
So what do you think of that that that that? What do you think of that?

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My grandma passed away last Tuesday morning. She made up that song when we were kids and used to sing it to us. The grandchildren (over 20 of us) got up and sang it on Saturday at her funeral. The funeral was really nice. I'm so glad we were able to go up to Utah for it, even if we were only there for 48 hours.

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This is a picture of my Grandma Betty & Grandpa Kenny on their wedding day in front of their first home here in Westchester, CA. My Grandma missed my Grandpa so much. He died about 14 years ago and she could not wait to be reunited with him. It’s hard to feel sorrow for her because you know she is on cloud nine,  just thrilled to be with her parents, sister & sweetheart again. Finally. 

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This is my Grandma with her Mother, my Great-Grandma Ava. She lived to be 100 and died only a few years ago. We would always tell my Grandma she could live for another 15 years (she was not so thrilled at the prospect!)

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My Grandma used to work for a company called the “Automatic Screw Machine Co.” We all thought that was so funny. I need to make shirts that say that. Here she is on the right, working hard! Grandma was the queen of corn, as in corny jokes. And she had the most hilarious laugh. I was telling Henry about coming to Utah and the funeral and I asked him what he remembered about Grandma, and he said she was the one that had the  M&M’s. The woman loved chocolate and turquoise. She had turquoise carpet. It gave her warm fuzzies.  We are going to miss her but have comfort in knowing that she was not taken one second before her time. We love you!

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(Betty, third from the left)

We drove back home today and have the burial tomorrow. It's been so good to be around family and celebrate the life of my Grandmother. She was loved and we miss her already.

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34 responses to “Old Mrs. Zink”

  1. brandy Avatar

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she lived a great life and you have so many warm memories of her. What a great collection of photos! My thoughts are with you and your family.
    http://minivanlife.wordpress.com

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  2. Mama Urchin Avatar

    I’m sorry Morgan for the loss of your grandmother but am glad you have the comfort of knowing she had a life well lived.

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  3. heather hales Avatar

    what a beautiful tribute and such great pictures! it sounds like she had a very full life.

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  4. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Now, don’t you think it funny Vanessa actually became Mrs. Zink-e??
    She was a wonderful Grandmother to you and I’m so grateful to her for that.
    XXOO

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  5. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Speaking of Mrs. Zinke –
    Her wedding anniversary was yesterday, Sept. 20th.
    Happy 2nd year of blissfulness Mr. & Mrs. Zinke!!
    XXOO

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  6. heidi Avatar
    heidi

    I”m sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma 3 years ago (she was 89, and her favorite color was also turqoise.) Wonderful pictures….

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  7. Darlene B Avatar
    Darlene B

    My sincere sympathy to you as you experience another loss in your life. Blessings to you and your family.

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  8. Julie Avatar

    Although you are happy for her, I’m sorry for your loss. The photos and memories are wonderful! Sweet tribute to someone obviously very dear and special.

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  9. Julie Avatar

    ….and I loved the song! 🙂

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  10. Annemarie Allen Avatar
    Annemarie Allen

    Morgan, I am very sorry for your Grandmother’s passing. You have such a great heritage from her, as I was reading about what she did in her life it reminded me a lot about you and how you love to sew and you have a fun laugh as well a fabulous sense of humor. The greatest gift we receive are the attributes we posses from our loved ones, that’s how we continue to remember them and have them close to us always.
    May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and your family during this time.

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  11. Erin Fowles Sorensen Avatar

    What beautiful photos and memories. So sorry about your grandmother, seemed like an awesome woman.

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  12. Jane Weston Avatar

    Sorry to hear your news…
    Your post is a lovely tribute to a lady who seems to have been well loved.
    (((hugs)))

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  13. skinimini Avatar

    My grandma died last Sunday. We were not close by any means, but I am still extremely sad. This was a wonderful memorial to your grandmother. Please accept my condolences.

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  14. michal Avatar

    your grandma betty will always be famous in our family because her roll recipe is one of our favorites. i’m glad for her that she is reunited with her sweetheart. i miss my grandma often (she passed away four years ago) but she was not sad to go when it was her time. it’s our job to keep their legacies alive and you are doing a wonderful job. love to you and your family.

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  15. Morgs Avatar

    Michal- I was just looking for that recipe a few days ago- I think I may have lost it. Do you have it- I’m sure someone in my family must.

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  16. Morgs Avatar

    I am so sorry for your sadness. It’s always hard when you are the one left behind. Please accept my condolences as well.

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  17. Morgs Avatar

    I never even thought of that- so funny!

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  18. nora Avatar
    nora

    i’m sorry for your loss.. my thought are with u and your family… my grandma too just past away last saturday.. but i can’t attend the funeral since we’re here in US and the whole family are in Malaysia..

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  19. Amy Avatar

    I’m so sorry! Even though you are happy for her to be with her sweetheart again, it’s still hard for the people that are left here. I love that first picture with her in the round glasses, how fabulous is that. She sounds like a wonderful person and I can totally see where you and your siblings get some of your looks. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  20. Estee Avatar

    Im sorry for your loss. She looked like an amazing woman. I especially think that of alot of women of that era. Beautiful photos of a beautiful woman. My thoughts are with you.

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  21. Ellen Patton Avatar

    I love all those stories about her! And the photos are wonderful.

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  22. Stefanie Avatar

    I was sorry to hear about your Grandma, I remember her well from the few times I was around her. I’m glad I can leave comments now, I’ve wanted too so many times!!

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  23. jean Avatar
    jean

    Your grandma was beautiful. So glad that you were able to go to Utah for the funeral.

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  24. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    We love the “Betty Lohrke Casserolls”, and promise to keep your grandma’s memory alive by making them often!

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  25. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    I just read Michal’s comment about the rolls too! Here is the recipe that you said you have missplaced.
    Betty Lohrke “Casserolls”
    A quicker roll than refrigerator rolls, this is a good bet for finger sandwiches.
    Ingredients
    • 3 T. yeast
    • 1 cup warm water
    • 1 tsp. sugar
    • 2 cups milk
    • 2/3 cup shortening
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 4 tsp. salt
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 9-10 cups flour
    Combine scalded milk with shortening, salt, and sugar. Cool. Add yeast and eggs. Mix in 8 cups of flour. Knead until smooth, adding 1-2 cups flour. Raise 1 hour. Shape in balls and place in greased casserole dishes. Let rise until double. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. Makes 4 dozen rolls.

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  26. Morgan Avatar

    Yeah! Thanks, Ally!! I’m going to have to make these stat (but 1/2 the recipe- holy cow- 9-10 cups of flour??) Can’t wait to make them- thanks again!

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  27. Morgan Avatar

    Oh Nora- so sorry for your loss as well! My condolences!

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  28. Alexis R. Avatar
    Alexis R.

    I am so sorry for your loss Morgan. I’m sure on top of everything else, it is very difficult. You and your family are in my thoughts.
    I am not a good bread maker but I just might have to try the rolls this weekend!

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  29. Alexis R. Avatar
    Alexis R.

    I forgot to mention how much I loved the photos. How great to have those photos and memories.

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  30. connie Avatar

    i’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother, but it sounds like you have so many wonderful stories and memories to share and cherish. my grandmother died 2 weeks ago, and funny thing is, she loved seafoam! she had seafoam carpet & walls. must be a grandma thing.

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  31. urban organica Avatar

    what a lovely memorial. these pictures are so evocative, from the hairstyles to the clothes, to the expressions. beautiful. thank you for sharing them.

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  32. tara pakosta Avatar

    I have never met one of my grandmas and the other one died when I was 5. I wish I had known them, especially when I read this post. YOu are so blessed to have known her. I am sorry for your loss…Just imagining you all singing that cute little song is amazing. What an honor of her life.
    p.s. I Have an 8 year old named Ava!
    and what beautiful pictures!
    tara

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  33. Heather Avatar

    i love the second picture of her- what a beauty!! grandmothers are grand. i’m glad you have so many fond memories of her – i bet she and your grandfather are both on cloud nine!

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  34. Maryott Avatar
    Maryott

    Beautiful photos.
    I grew up in westchester CA, with my grandparents who were probably around the same age as yours.
    I miss them so much, i wish i had these kinds of photos of them.

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