A Fond Farewell
May 26, 2002
My Grandmother passed away this
month in Los Angeles. She had been ill for a while but one is never ready to
actually hear that death has come. We got a call in the middle of the night
& got the message and talked to my mother the next morning. Alex’s friend
Paul was in town visiting so while they went to the museum I went to the pier
on the Hudson River. It was cold and drizzly so there weren’t many folks about.
I sat and looked at the water & wrote a letter to my Grandmother. I also
wrote her a poem. (Read my poem)
She was an extraordinary woman, my
Grandmother. Very unique and independent. She certainly did have a wonderful
family. I was reminded of this in spades when I went to Los Angeles for the funeral.
(Unfortunately Alex had to work and couldn’t come with me.) Surrounded by Aunt,
Uncles, Cousins & Loved Ones we had a very special service for a very
special woman. Another ceremony for her cremation a few days later was just as
exceptional.
Having all the family around in her
house that seems stuck in the fifties/sixties brought back so many childhood
memories. Singing, playing piano, congregating in the kitchen or back patio,
laughter everywhere. It was a great gathering, and I know she would have loved
it, as she loved all of us.
She was a daughter, a sister, a
teacher, a wife, a historian, a mother, a political activist, a reporter, a
local newspaper owner, a spiritualist, a musician, a real estate broker, a
church activist, a grandmother, a writer, a philosopher… and so much more.
She will be remembered much in our
family…
Remembrance,
Frances Alsup
Frances McNeill Alsup, age 87, was
born June 21, 1914 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and passed away May 11, 2002
at her home in Glendora, California. Her parents were Lauchlin McNeill and May
Peele McNeill. She was married November 26, 1936, to William Luther Alsup, who
died in 1983. She is survived by her son James Alsup and wife Elaine of San
Diego, California; by her daughter Meredith Kurtz of Toluca Lake, California;
by her daughter Dorothy Alsup of Vallejo, California, by her son William Alsup
of Portland, Oregon; by her grandaughter Melissa Kurtz of Los Angeles,
California; by her grandaughter Tiffany Kurtz of New York City, New York; by
her grandson Andrew Alsup and wife Brendy of San Luis Obispo, California; by
her grandaughter Rebecca Alsup of San Diego, California; by her great-grandson,
Samuel Alsup (son of Andrew); and by her sister, Mary Van Kirk of Claremont,
California.
A memorial service was held at
Oakdale Memorial Park, Glendora, California, Friday, May 17, 2002.
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