My Grandma

Last week we got some very sad news.  My Grandma St. Amant (my mother's mother) had suddenly passed away.  It was quite a shock to all of us, especially those who had just seen her in the days before, or spoke to her the same day.  I was able to quickly find a flight to Ontario and made it in time to say good bye and to lend my love and support (and get some of that in return) to my family members.  I have been thinking a lot about my Grandma, and would like to dedicate this blog to her.

The generations

My Grandma was not your typical Grandma in most ways.  She was one of those rare people that can impact a HUGE number of lives with her actions, her engery and her love of life.  It is difficult to even know where to start to talk about her.  She has accomlished so many things in her life that I could write a novel...

The loves of my Grandma's life were her family, her faith, politics and hockey (among other things but those are the big ones).  Grandma was very proud of her family, and she had every reason to be.  For starters she had 9, yes 9, kids.  3 girls and 6 boys.  My Papere worked on the boats so was often away, meaning she spent lots of time alone with them all.  The older kids "claim" to have helped with the littler ones, and while I am sure they did, we all know who was boss!  In addition to the 9 kids, she took in a few others at various times as needed to help them out when things were not as great in their own homes (this must be where my Mother and my Uncle Ken got this from as they both made additions to their families with no hesitation).  The little house was never quiet and there were never dull moments.  These 9 kids have grown up and found loved ones of their own and as a result, Grandma had 18 grandkids!  She was so proud of this fact and would tell everyone she could.  Finally to round out the family, she had two great grandchildren.  While it is challenging as families age and grow and move to remain close, she managed to keep us that way.  She made sure family gatherings were always arranged and that we were able to get (most of) us together at least at Christmas time.  Let me tell you, it is a sight to see when we are all in one place at one time, and do we ever know how to have a good time.  The last few years as Grandma got older, she would sit in her "throne" and let everyone come to her, which we all gladly did.  She was also content to sit there and watch all the lives she helped create enjoy being together. 

The "St. Amants"

(this isn't even all of us, but it is the closest picture I have out here)

Grandma was extremely active in the community.  She intiated so many programs for the town of Penetanguishene and helped raise money and awareness for so many others.  If there was a cause she believed in, then she jumped in with two feet and got things done. I probably don't even know all of what she did, but some of the major ones involved starting a Red Cross Swimming program to teach people how to swim, a baseball league for women and a lot of time spent in various hockey related endeavours.  In fact, my Grandmother was inducted into Penetang's Sports Hall of Fame. If you look to her family again, you will see the importance of sports to my Grandmother, as many of them play, coach, referee and are involved in virtually every sport out there. Grandma was also the Mayor of Penetang as well!  Politics were another big love in her life. 

This was at our wedding, we had a hockey net game to get us to kiss.  Grandma was right up there taking shots, and she scored, so she chose a groomsman to kiss...

Lucky DJ!!

I could really go on and on, however I know that my grandmother did all these things, but I remember her more as my Grandma than the force of nature she was in the community.  Growing up, for part of my life until I was 9, we moved quite a bit.  This meant we were not always in Ontario and close to our family.  I do remember visits from my Grandparents in may of the places we lived, and that we came to Ontario for visits as well.  Once we moved to Toronto and stayed in Ontario, the visits were much easier.  We are a close knit family, so in addition to many other times through out the year, my brother and I would stay with Grandma several days every summer.  The things I remember the most were that she was always ready and willing to get right down and play with us.  Whether it was down on the floor, in the yard, taking us swimming at the beach (and getting into her own bathing suit too), playing various sports, taking us to the docks for ice cream or fries, down to the ball diamond down the street and keeping us busy.  Grandma also loved to play cards with her Grandkids.  Often, after dinner, we would gather around her table and play Crazy 8's for hours.  After a good nights sleep, we would always get to wake up and go raid the cereal cupboard, which was full of different "junky" cereals that we weren't allowed to eat at home. Alphabits and Honey Comb were staples!  This cupboard was the best, and I remember checking it when we would get to Grandma's to see what we would get!  Finally, at the end of every visit, just as we would be saying good bye, Grandma had another special cupboard that had the treats in it.  We would be able to choose a chocolate bar to take with us for the car ride home (which we loved, but maybe not my parents having to sit in a car for an hour and a half with two kids full of sugar!!) 

Grandma and Josh, my cousin

(You can see the love in both of their faces, they had such soft spots for each other!)

A few final thoughts have to do with her as a Great Grandmother.  She was really excited about her Great Grandsons.  She sent them cute cards all the time and always made sure to highlight the "Great" Grandma part.  When I would talk to her on the phone, she was always asking about what her boys were doing and was so excited when she could start to talk hockey with Wil.  One of the last phone converstations we had she only briefly talked to me, because she wanted to talk to Wil about the playoff game the night before.  It went like this;

Wil: "Gweat Gwamma, you like hockey?"
Grandma: (Big boisterous St. Amant laugh) "Yes, I really like hockey"
Wil: You know the goalie for the New Jersey Devils?
Grandma: That's Martin Brodeur
Wil: He a good Goalie Gweat Gwamma, he made good saves last night
Grandma: (another big laugh) yes, he is a good goalie, he is the best. I have always liked him.
Wil: I love Brodeur Gweat Gwamma, you too?
Grandma: (more laughing) Oh I love Brodeur too. 

She got a kick out of the boys and I am so thankful she got to meet them (and them her), but it is bittersweet as she will not get to be here as they grow up.  I know she would have enjoyed watching them play and grow and learn, and to keep talking hockey with them!

Meeting Great Grandma

I think I like you, Kisses for Great Grandma

Great Grandma Loves her boys.

Finally, my Grandmother was very dedicated to her faith and her beliefs.  So much so, when I went to Italy I took a picture of the Pope's apartment for her and she had it on her wall for a long time.  She thought that was pretty amazing. This gives me some comfort in a time when we are all feeling so sad.  I know that in passing she has finally gone "home".  We will all miss you Grandma.

This is how we will remember you best, laughing, having fun and loving life!