Along Came Anna Mae

My grandmother was a "change of life" baby. Her older sister Edith gave birth to her first child in January 1922. My grandmother, Marge, followed in April 1922. Although the pair were technically aunt & niece, they were more like sisters.

Marge & Anna Mae

Anna Mae died in 1996 and I did attend her funeral; however, I don't recall ever meeting her personally. Growing up we did have a steady relationship with her son, "Uncle" Pat &  (his wife)"Aunt" Martha Finn.

It was at the funeral that I met many of my extended cousins, including Anna Mae's sister Lois. To this day, I can still recall the tenderness in which each of the elderly relatives recalled my deceased grandmother.

Then talk turned towards a spooky event.

Anna Mae Age 68

A few days before Anna Mae's passing she stopped talking. Towards the end Uncle Pat & Aunt Martha's dogs stood sentry. During the last hours of her life she began talking to the ceiling and the dogs watched, heads facing the ceiling. Synoptic flashes of a dying person?

It was then that she began calling my grandmother by name and saying things like " Marge? Is that you Marge? I've missed you! " according to the Finn family.

Marge & Anna Mae's Prayer Cards

They died 21 years and 1 day apart.

In the years since, I've spoken with various relatives about her & my grandmother. Anna Mae's granddaughter told me that she used to take out old photo albums and share stories of times with Margaret. My mother isn't sure what hijinks the two would get into but they were always giggling about something or other. I'd love to ask her about their "adventures" and if Lois ever took part!