In Remembrance of Grandmommy Huntwork

Grandmommy Huntwork passed away on March 24, 2017.  We didn't have many opportunities to visit with her in person, but with technology we have many wonderful memories with her over the past decade.  I'd like to share a few of my favorites with you.

The first time I got to spend time with Grandmommy was at my bridal shower:

Then at our wedding dinner.  I love this picture.  All of our grandparents together.  Since then four of our loving grandparents have crossed the veil.

Our wedding in January 2008.

Family reunion in 2010.  In between the two pictures Jake told everyone that I was 3 months pregnant with Scarlett.

That same reunion we took this picture.

Grandmommy gave us a little figurine for Scarlett so that she will remember her.

For Jake's 30th Birthday (June 2013) I collected stories from different family members.  Grandmommy sent me this story:

We took Jacob with us one year to Alabama. We flew in a small plane, a Cessna 182. We left early in the morning so we wouldn't have too much turbulence. However that didn't help Jacob. He lost his breakfast about a half hour out. From then on I gave him dramamine before each flight. Problem solved. On of our stops was Branson, Mo. I told Jacob to pick all the things he would like to do. We didn't want him to say later "I wish we could of...". We went to the amusement park. Bob and he went on almost all of the rides. I declined most of them, but Bob and he had a ball. We went to a show that night and then we the next morning we took off for Alabama. Bob's daughter lives there so we spent a few days there visiting. We all about died from the humidity. When we started home we decided to stop at Nauvoo. There were no hotels there so we had to stop in Keokuk, Il. Our room left a lot to be desired. There was absolutely nothing to do in that town. We spent a nice day in Nauvoo. We have a picture of Jacob taken next to the statue of Joseph & Hyrum Smith. Then we were on our way again. The weather was not very good. Lots of humidity and clouds. Fortunately we had a GPS that had just been put in the plane. We were about 6000 ft up and and on our way home. Jacob announced he had to go to the bathroom. We put down in Metropolis, home of Superman. There was even a statue of him.This was a really small field but it served the purpose! We ended the day landing at Cheyenne at the same time as a thunderstorm. The next day we got to Salt Lake. We enjoyed getting to know Jacob better. And he is a "quality" man. 

Even though we haven't had the chance to be together much in person, through modern technology we've been able to have a wonderful relationship with her.  Phone calls, emails, comments on our blog... here are a few of my favorite moments.

Grandmommy sent me this email in Jan 2015:

I've been thinking a lot of you and hoping you are doing ok. It must be difficult with the weather, twins and Jacob away. You are in our prayers. I love your blogs. With love Grammy.

In July 2015 after I wrote my Whole30 blog post, Grandmommy called me to ask how much curry powder to use in my recipe.  She was making it that night but she wanted to know if she needed to adjust the recipe so it wasn't too curry-ful.

In Oct 2015 Jake and I got to talk to Grandmommy on the phone.  We talked about her breast cancer and her decision to get a double mastectomy.

Grandmommy wrote this comment on my blog April 2016:

It looks as though the party was hectic but fun. Scarlet looks so much older. How are the kids doing with a new one coming along ? Probably excited.  When are you due? I admire you for having another one when you so much going on with the three. I remember that the last time we saw you I asked you how you were doing and you told me that you were in survival mode.  I hope you have an easy time of the birth.  We love you guys and enjoy all the pictures.

Grandmommy sent me this email in Aug 2016:

I've neglected to thank you for the pics you sent. I love them. I put everyone's pics on a board so I can see them when we come out of our bedroom in the am.  Skye sounds like a really good baby. Well, they all are. But it's great that you can get a full night's sleep. It makes living worthwhile. Somehow that getting up at night is so exhausting. Vickie is really looking forward to holding that newby.

Grandmommy wrote this comment on my blog in Sept 2016:

Love the pictures. They are growing so fast. Love the ones you sent me. I have a picture board opposite my bedroom door. I get to see all my family each day when I get up.  Ellie wasn't able to handle milk or soy. We used beef heart formula. It worked! However her bowel movements were very stinky. Love your blog!

Jake wrote these memories to share at the Huntwork's 50th wedding anniversary in Feb 2017:

I have two memories I wanted to share: 

First was my cross country trip with you in the Cessna. I know as a kid I was pretty shy, but let me tell you how excited I was for the adventure. It was my first time going on a big trip in a plane and definitely gave me some bragging rights with the neighborhood kids. More importantly, though, is the one-on-one time I was able to spend with both of you. You were so patient with my motion sickness and inability to use the on-board "bathroom"; thanks again for landing, so I could take care of my over indulgence in Pepsi at the previous stop. Anyway, it was an awesome vacation - I'll have to say our time in Branson was an absolute blast and Keokuk was ok. 

My 2nd and more recent memory was to have Grandpa marry Jenni and I in the temple. Every wedding is special, but to have my own Grandpa lead the ceremony was awesome. We loved that you were able to do it and it made the idea of eternal families even more solidified for us. 

Jenni and I love you both and happy 50th anniversary!
~Jake and Jenni

 

Her Obituary
Sharon Elizabeth Rohrbough Huntwork 1937-2017 Medford, Oregon 

Sharon Elizabeth Rohrbough Huntwork passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 24, 2017 in Portland due to complications related to cancer. She was born December 14, 1937 to Philip Jackson Rohrbough and Catherine Ruth Judge in Oakland, Alameda, California. Her early growing-up years were spent mainly in Covelo, California. She married Robert Sydney Huntwork on February 14, 1967. Just a few weeks ago, they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Sharon was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She especially enjoyed teaching the gospel in Sunday School and early morning youth seminary classes. Sharon also served in various leadership roles in the LDS Church’s Primary, Young Women and Relief Society organizations. In the 1970s, Sharon and Bob sponsored three Vietnamese refugees. She also fulfilled service missions with Bob at the LDS Employment Center and most recently in the Medford Temple. Before moving to Medford in 1986, Sharon and Bob made their home in Alamo and then Fairfield, California. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, scuba diving, shooting, fast cars, the out-of-doors and cooking. She was especially proud of obtaining her pilot’s license. Her family always looked forward to her delicious cooking; family and friends especially loved her Pad Thai recipe. Sharon taught herself how to play the guitar and how to sew. In her younger years she helped support her family as a dental assistant. When she married Bob, she was actively involved in the office management of the pest control businesses they owned. Sharon is survived by her husband, Robert Sydney Huntwork; children: Vickie Glauser (Paul) of Draper, Utah; Lori Pinn (Wally) of Granada Hills, California; Marc Huntwork (Dayna ) of Boise Idaho; Ellie George (Danny) of Medford; stepchildren Stephen Huntwork (Sue) of Loveland, Colorado, and Beverly Stafford (Randy); 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Video

Aunt Ellie posted this story on Facebook after Grandmommy passed away.

On our first leg of the journey to our be all end all "last hurrah" trip to see the Cenotes in Mexico... my mom sat next to each other in row 18 of flight 2097 on the Thursday 7pm flight from Medford to Portland.

As we were exiting the plane a man sitting across the aisle from us reached out and handed this to my mom. He said that his uncle George just came back from the Vatican 3 months ago and gave him this. He has been carrying it with him for 3 months and felt that my mom should have it and with it feel peace.

She died within hours. We aren't catholic but my mom grew up catholic. I wish he knew how much of an impression he made on my mom. She was really touched by his gift.