92nd Birthday, October 23, 1959
Jerry, Mike, Steve, Great Grandma
Great Grandma Holtzman
401 13th Avenue
After grandson Charlie was born (November, 1959), Grandma Hey went to California to help. With three small boys, my mother (Janna) couldn't go three times a day, and so chose to have Grandma Holtzman live with us for what was supposed to be three weeks. One night, my mom heard Grandma Holtzman call for help because she could not get up to use her portable toilet. Doctor Pohly said she probably had had a small stroke; the 3 weeks turned into 6 months. During this time we often played the card game, "Old Maid," with grandma. Games might not finish because grandma would hide the "old maid card" saying that she didn't like it. Then the card disappeared. After she returned home, my mother found the old maid card safely stashed in Grandma's rocking chair.
Before Grandma returned home, dad did some remodeling in her house so that it was nicer. She managed pretty well during the next couple of years. My mother would go clean up an occasional mess, soak her grandma's feet, and care for her nails. A woman came to give her a sponge bath twice a week. Declining, she could no longer stay alone. Grandma Hey hired Olivia Rodriguez, a senior in high school to stay overnight. After Olivia went to school, a nurse came during the day, until Olivia returned in the evening. Grandma received rent from the barber shop and from her upstairs renter. Grandpa Hey paid any remaining bills.
One summer morning (August 20, 1964), on our way to pictures, we stopped to see Grandma Holtzman, recited Psalm 23, and sang "At the Cross" with her. After pictures, we went to Grandma Hey's. The phone rang and the nurse told Grandma Hey that her mother was probably dying. By the time we arrived, the nurse was waiting on the porch. I vividly recall Grandma Hey crying, and Doctor Pohly putting his hand on Grandma's arm and saying, "You've been a good daughter."
Jerry Talking with Great Grandma
Grandma and Jerry loved talking
to each other on the phone.
