Nellie Marian Lockwood DePew

This book is about the life of Nellie Marian Lockwood DePew (1912-2014). It is her story as a young girl, a teenager, wife, mother of two, Grandma of five, and Great Grandma of nine. It’s about a woman who enjoyed being a homemaker and volunteer.

Nellie gave her time, talent, and love to her family, friends, church, and community. She had "Wanderlust” and loved to travel. She made friends wherever she went.

Nellie was a faithful follower of her Lord who continually watched over her. He blessed her with love to fill each day. He blessed Nellie with wisdom as she led and guided those she loved. He gave her peace, courage, and determination to never give up when times were hard and challenging. He blessed her with joy to show those who knew her how to live through life’s journey. She was realistic, well-respected, laughed, and enjoyed her surroundings. Nellie did her best to ensure that everyone whose life she touched was given a chance to become a better person. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge, and to listen to others.

This book gives only a hint of Nellie’s life story. She did and saw a lot in her 101 years. She lived a rich, full, and honorable life.

A LIFETIME OF LOVE AND

ADVENTURE – NELLIE'S STORY

Nellie’s earliest travel was when her mother was pregnant with her. The family traveled by train from Indiana to Seattle, Washington, to visit family and for her father to look for work. A few weeks later, her father, mother and two brothers were back on the train stopping in Morrison-Newport News, Virginia. Malaria fever wasn’t uncommon in those days in Tidewater Virginia, and as her mother was very sick with it, a 5-pound baby girl was born a few weeks premature. Nellie Marian Lockwood was born on Friday, September 13, 1912. She was tiny and frail. She was born with malaria and was yellow in color. She was named after her two grandmothers – Nellie Josephine Barr Carpenter (1862-1953) and Marian Carter Lockwood (1844-1908). Her parents were Mark Vinton Lockwood (1877-1958) and Nina Maude Carpenter Lockwood (1885-1954).

While Nellie was still a baby, the family moved back to the Indiana family farm in Steuben County. There she grew up on the farm near the town of Pleasant Lake and did all the things children do – school, work, and play. Nellie had two older brothers – Arthur and Lewis, two younger sisters – Dorothea and Rebecca, and a baby brother John who died in infancy at three months old.

When Nellie was growing up, there wasn’t any electricity on the farm, so kerosene lamps were used at night. There wasn’t a refrigerator or ice box. Food, milk, cream, and butter were kept in pails in the deep cold outside well. Whole watermelon was also kept in the well. Nina even made Jell-O that would firm up in the well pit. Potatoes, vegetables, apples, and fruit were kept cold in the root cellar under the house. Salted meat, pickles, eggs were kept in crock pots on the ledge of the root cellar along with jars of jams and jellies. Sometimes water had to be pumped by hand for the family and a lot of water pumped for the livestock. There were cows, chickens, hogs, and lambs on the farm. There were three pet lambs – Molly, Polly and Rumpelstiltskin. There were two work horses named Zake and Ike, two mules named Mike and Tom, and a grey mare named Maude. Corn, wheat, barley, and hay were grown on the farm along with all the vegetables.

Nellie attended first and second grade in a one-room, 8-grade country school called Windfall that was a mile down the road from the farmhouse. After 2nd grade, she walked two and a half miles with her siblings to Pleasant Lake for school. She skipped 7th grade and graduated from high school as Valedictorian in 1930. A favorite memory was coming home from school in the fall and eating melons and grapes. They tasted good.

Nellie never roller skated, ice skated, or learned to ride a bike, but she could win any running race and was the best jump roper around. She liked to swim as a child and as an adult.

Nellie learned to crochet the chain stitch in 1st grade and learned the other stitches from her 2nd grade teacher. She enjoyed this hobby throughout her life.

Nellie's crocheted snowflakes, angels, doilies, and afghans are scattered all over the world as she shared her talent and gifts with others. She earned money selling her beautiful items to stores as far away as Colorado and as close as Indianapolis. Nellie continued crocheting until she was 100 years old when she had to stop because her fingers weren’t working as well and macular degeneration was causing her eyesight to get worse.

Nellie was an avid reader, as was her father (Mark), his mother (Marian Carter Lockwood), and his grandfather (James Carter). There was a large bookcase in the home full of books. Mark liked reading novels and technical books. When Nellie was little, she sometimes sat on her father’s lap and “helped” him read before she could really read. She liked the smell of his pipe and felt secure. Her father also read the daily newspaper and encouraged her to read the paper which she did every day until she was one hundred and one. As a young girl, Nellie enjoyed climbing a tree on the farm and reading there. It was peaceful and the view was nice.

Nellie enjoyed memorizing poetry. She would recite poetry or give a story recitation at family gatherings, church, and social functions. Throughout her life, even at the age of 101, Nellie would recite these poems to her family or say them at night when she couldn’t sleep.

Living on a farm there was a lot of work to be done. In order to help with finances, her mother Nina raised chickens to be sold along with eggs, cream, and handmade churned butter. Nellie helped feed the chickens, gather eggs, turn the baby chick eggs in the incubator and carry wood to wherever it needed to be. The boys and men worked the fields. Nellie’s dad loved the land and loved the farm. He liked growing things but did not like the chores connected to farming. There were cows to be milked by hand twice a day and livestock to be fed. He did not like running the separator that separated the milk from the cream. Being the oldest girl, it was Nellie’s job to wash and rinse each part of the separator after it was used. She did not like that chore, but she did it.

Planting season was a time when Nellie helped make the hills and rows in the vegetable garden. She didn’t plant the seeds. There was a field called the truck patch where peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and corn were grown. Mark did not like using the tractor, so there were times when Nellie would ride Maude the horse to help her dad keep the rows straight while he cultivated the larger fields.

Threshing time was a busy time. Nellie’s first recollection of the big steam engine coming down the farm lane was in August before she turned three in September. It was evening and she was playing in the yard. She heard it and she saw it and it scared her. She had never seen or heard anything like it. She can remember she couldn’t move her legs because she was so scared. Her dad heard her screaming and came running from the barn. Later that evening her dad took her into the barnyard to see the monster. One of the threshing men lifted her up on the cab and let her pull the string that blew the whistle, as there was just enough steam left from the trip to their farm. She was no longer afraid of the monster. The next day she watched the men threshing the grain all day long. She found it fascinating.

During the hay season, Nellie sometimes helped her dad drive the horses while he handled the sling that was fastened to the harness of the horses. The sling took the hay up into the haymow. After the hay was unloaded into the barn, the girls would trample the hay in the loft, bumble bees and all. While the men continued working, the girls helped their mother prepare dinner for 10 to 15 people. Nellie helped the most since she was the oldest of the girls. Lettuce was picked and washed leaf by leaf, radishes cleaned, and the table set and the water glasses kept filled. Nellie enjoyed working in the kitchen. From the time she could stand on a stool, she washed the dishes. Nellie took care of her younger sisters. There was also a time for picking berries, making jam and jellies, and canning.

Butchering time was a time of hurrying and scurrying. It took place around Thanksgiving when the temperature was cool. The night before, the children carried a lot of wood for the fires under the big iron kettles. The children were never allowed to see the hogs shot to death, but after they were hung on a scaffold, Nellie’s job, along with her siblings, was to scrape them free of the bristly hair with a special scraper. It was a chore. The inners and meat were used for cooking or pickled.

During the school year, the mail was picked up on the way home from school. But during the summer for 5 or 6 years, it was Nellie’s job to get the mail. It was a fourth of a mile down the farm lane from the house and Nellie enjoyed the “trek” to the mailbox. If water was flowing from the well, she would stop for a cold drink. She’d stop at the barn and get some salt from the salt barrel. Then stop at the garden and get a pepper or tomato and enjoy eating it as she picked up the mail.

Nellie felt blessed with parents who showed her God’s handiwork in nature. There were times when the family would walk in the woods on the farm and talk about Jesus, the Bible, life, and the farm.

Nellie often rode on her father’s lap as he sat on the machinery turning the good earth and planting seeds. He would never say much, but she knew enough that she understood that he and God were partners in growing their livelihood. Even when the rains were too much or not enough, he’d comment, “It rains on the just and the unjust," or “Maybe next year it will be better," or “We’ll replant and pray the frost holds off." Her dad also had another philosophy he instilled in her, “Aim for the stars Nellie, even if you hit the chicken coop."

She learned of the stars in the heavens riding home from neighborhood gatherings or church and community activities. On dark nights, when the stars shone brightly, there was time to talk about different things while riding in the buggy or bobsled behind a team of horses.

Throughout her life, Nellie’s faith was strong. Even as death took her baby brother John when she was seven, Nellie knew “God was a good God and He loved us." Nellie was 14 when she was baptized at the Baptist church in Pleasant Lake. She participated in all the church youth activities. At bedtime there was no “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” said, but an evening prayer that Nellie’s mother taught her: “Dear God, keep us righteous, give us wisdom, good health, and keep us all safe through the night. In Jesus' name, Amen." It was a simple prayer, but had so much meaning to Nellie. When her mother was dying from cancer in 1954, the two of them said that prayer together. The next morning she died. Nellie would say, “God was merciful."

After the chores were done on the farm, there was time to relax and play. Nellie’s playmates were her siblings. She learned to give and take, fight and forgive, live and let live, to love, to share, and to care. Her parents enjoyed playing cards and so Nellie learned to play cards when she was seven. They played Euchre and Pedro. The girls had their dolls (Nellie had two). They had a nice child-size china tea set to use in the house but when they played outside they used little tin dishes. Her dad would put sand under the pine tree and they played cars made from empty spools of thread. There was a swing under a tree. There was a hill on the farm and they would have fun sledding down it or running down it. The night before Nellie went into 8th grade, she was running down the hill, fell, and broke her arm/shoulder. Her teacher came to the farm every Friday to help her stay up with the class. She missed four weeks of school. That year Nellie graduated highest in her class. Because of her broken arm, she had to give up the violin lessons that she had enjoyed since 6th grade.

In the summer, Nellie’s city cousins would come to visit. They would go into the woods to play. Once they had old lace curtains and were fairies, flitting from the meadow to the woods through the gullies, up and down the hills. The boy cousin, Bob Carpenter, would want to play pioneers and Indians or hunters after deer. Gun shaped sticks were used to kill the deer. No one wanted to be the deer. Nellie’s mother would fix a lunch and they would put it in the artesian spring water in the woods to keep it cold.

Holidays brought a particular enjoyment to Nellie and the family, especially the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On the 4th of July, the family would go on a picnic and swim at a nearby lake. In the evening after the chores were done, they would hand crank homemade ice cream and eat it with strawberries and have fireworks. They would discuss patriotism, freedom, responsibilities, and love. One year, when Nellie was almost nine, there had been lots of rain and Mark needed to work the field. No picnic or swimming. The children were disappointed, but in the evening they had the ice cream, strawberries, and fireworks.

For Thanksgiving while going to Grandpa and Grandma Carpenter’s house, the family would sing, “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go." They had two horses that pulled the wagon three and a half miles or if they walked through the fields it was about a mile.

Christmas was special too. Nellie remembers the day when the parlor door opened and there was the tree full of burning candles. It was only once, but it was beautiful. On Christmas morning, if an apple was found in the stocking, it meant the crops were not good that year. If there was an orange in the stocking, it had been a prosperous year. One Christmas her dad made a doll cradle for each of the girls. Her mom made bedding for the cradles.

As Nellie got older, she earned money to buy clothes and shoes. When she was 12, she weeded onions. She was up at 5am and picked up at 6 o’clock. The onion rows were long and the sun was hot. For a day's work she earned $1.00 to $1.50. When she was 14, she worked for a lady that taught music and Nellie watched her two children. She earned $1.00 a day. At 16, Nellie worked for a lady with a nice house who did a lot of entertaining. Nellie cleaned up and washed the dishes after the parties. Nellie was also the school librarian.

After high school, Nellie wanted to go to college, but she didn’t get the scholarship she had hoped for. So she got a job at the Auburn Automobile Company making 100 pleated pockets a day for the Auburn and Cord car doors. She earned 22 and a half cents an hour, worked 12 and a half hours a day, 6 days a week and sometimes 10 hours on Sunday. No one got overtime pay. They were long hours, but a good wage in 1930 and 1931. They were beautiful cars and have become antiques along with the Duesenberg cars built around the same time.

Nellie had a few "boy friends" while in high school and went to church and school functions with them, but her mother said she couldn’t date until she was sixteen. When Nellie was a junior in high school, she met (through friends) William Gerald DePew from Fort Wayne, Indiana. They went to a movie and she always considered August 11, 1928 as their first date. A year later, they met again at the Street Fair in Auburn. The next day, Gerald took her to Fort Wayne to an amusement park and out to dinner at a nice restaurant. During her senior year, they saw each other every 3rd weekend. In the summer of 1930, they saw each other every weekend.

Gerald was four and a half years older than Nellie, a city boy, had his education and a good job. He wanted to get married but Nellie was still young. She had considered going to nursing school and had been accepted to a nursing school in Flint, Michigan. But at that time, nurses weren’t allowed to be married. Putting love over career, Nellie married Gerald on June 6, 1931.

They bought their first house in Fort Wayne. The next year (1932), Gerald was among the many who were out of work because of the Great Depression. They rented their house to make the payments and spent time with Gerald’s parents (Martin and Jessie) or at his parent’s lake cottage on Pretty Lake. They worked odd jobs until times got better. Nellie worked as a seamstress at a men’s tailor shop where Jessie also worked. Nellie enjoyed working for a greenhouse owner. She sold flowers and spring plants. They saved and bought a tub and sink, sewing machine, and water heater. They moved back into their house and family traditions began. There was the decorating of the Christmas tree, opening presents on Christmas morning, and eating chop suey on the date the family moved into their house. Son Bruce Eric was born February 27, 1938 and daughter Shari Irene was born November 9, 1943.

After WWII, the family moved to Merrillville, Indiana in 1945. They bought a house and lived there 32 years. Gerald’s vocation was a tool and design engineer with the Anderson Company in Gary. His avocation was working with attorneys and making drawings for the United States Patent office. Gerald designed the clip that fits on windshield wipers to keep the blades from coming off. The clip was still being used on the Anco wipers in 2015. His hobbies were photography and woodworking.

Gerald was an only child and both of his parents worked outside the home. Being married he wanted to be the one making the living and wanted Nellie to make the home. Although Nellie occasionally worked outside the home to help earn money for Bruce's and Shari’s college or to take a trip, her primary and full time role was homemaker. Nellie stayed home and raised Bruce and Shari.

When Bruce and Shari became interested in activities, Nellie’s many years of volunteer work began. She started as a Den Mother so that Bruce could become a Cub Scout. She worked with Shari’s Brownie Troop and Girl Scouts. She spent time with Shari at her dance lessons writing down steps and sewing costumes for dance recitals. During the 10 years Shari was in 4-H, Nellie worked on 4-H committees and on the County Fair committees. She volunteered with the PTA, Band Boosters and chaperoned many trips. Nellie worked with the Hospital Auxiliary. She was an active member and volunteer at the Disciples of Christ church.

After Bruce and Shari grew up, went to college and married, Nellie’s volunteer work continued and Gerald supported her. Being involved in her community, church, and other organizations was a passion of hers. She gave her time and talent. A driving force in her life was the desire to make the world a better place because she lived in it. Nellie was a wife, mother, homemaker, volunteer, and friend. She enjoyed meeting people.

Nellie was a member of Gary Altrusa International (Profession: Homemaker). She was a member of the Lake County Community Development Committee for 11 years (Profession: Homemaker). She was a Crew Leader for the 1960 census. In 1946, she joined an Extension Homemakers Club and was an active member for 68 years. She was the Indiana Extension Homemakers State President in 1961 and Central Regional Director for National 1963-1966. She was the State Service Director of the Christian Women Fellowship 1962-1964 and the President of the Gary Council Women United.

In 1965, Nellie was selected and awarded as one of the top 10 homemakers in Indiana. Nellie and Gerald received a trip to the State Fair and rode in an open car in the Farmer’s Day Parade. It was a real treat. In 1966 she was given the Community Service award by the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce.

Nellie was a pioneer in her day. She had been a Deacon in her church for years and was elected to be the first woman Elder and also the first woman elected Board Chairman and President of the Congregation of her church (The Glen Park Christian Church in Gary, Indiana). In 1962, she was asked to run for a political office. Gerald told her if she ran, he would vote for her. She ran and was elected the first woman to the Ross Township Advisory Board and later, under School Reorganization, was on the first Board of Education for Merrillville Schools. Her picture still hangs in the school board room, and her name is on the plaques in the school buildings that were built during her years serving on the board.

With all the volunteer work and being involved with the Associated Country Women of the World, Nellie had the opportunity to travel all over Indiana, the United States, and around the world making lifetime friends everywhere she and Gerald went. They entertained people from various countries in their Merrillville home.

Nellie had “Wanderlust” and so did Gerald. They loved to travel. They enjoyed family camping in the United States. They purchased a tent in 1945 and used it until 1966. They liked history and would stop at just about every historical marker along the highways. They traveled to all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The beautiful photos taken on their many trips were made into slide programs such as “Indiana History," “This Is America,” “Canada, From Sea to Sea,” and “God’s Creation.” They were in demand by schools, churches, and organizations. The programs started sometime in the 1950’s for a church supper and continued for 40 years.

Nellie enjoyed her collection of salt and pepper shakers. She would say they served as a reminder of life experiences and gifts from family and many friends. One time at the Merrillville house, the pet parakeet got out of the cage and was flying around the kitchen very close to the shelves containing hundreds of salt and pepper shakers. Nellie was running around reaching her hands up trying to catch the bird. Thankfully none got broken.

Christmas was a busy time. Nellie’s goal each year was to make 1,000 Christmas cookies – spritz, chocolate, peanut butter, figs, rum, and snowballs. For 55 years, she enjoyed writing and sending the annual family Christmas letter to friends worldwide. One year she hand addressed nearly 500 letters. Even in 2013, she still heard from the grandchildren of her friends who had passed away. She enjoyed the correspondence, saved cards and letters, and treasured the memories.

Gerald retired in 1973 from the Anderson Company but continued working with patent attorneys in Crown Point, Indiana and Florida. In 1977, Nellie and Gerald moved to Cape Coral, Florida. Life was good. They built a house, continued to travel, volunteer and enjoy their friends and family.

Nellie and Gerald welcomed five grandchildren into their lives. Shari and Bill Mallatt’s girls: Michele (1966), Laura (1969), and Erin (1970). Bruce and Jean DePew’s children: Jennifer (1973) and Eric (1976). They enjoyed driving to Wisconsin or to Montana to be with each family for birthdays, graduations, weddings, and holidays. If they couldn’t be there, they were in spirit. And family visited them in Florida. Then sadly, in 1985, Gerald began to show signs of Alzheimer's. Nellie was a loving caregiver. He died September 14, 1991 from this awful disease along with a stroke. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years together.

Nellie moved to Robin Run Village, Indianapolis, Indiana in October 1993. She continued to enjoy her friends and the many activities and concerts offered at Robin Run. She worked 10 years as a part-time concierge at the front desk. Again, Nellie volunteered her time and talent to committee work. She helped with the planning and building of the Robin Run community room, served on the budget committee, helped to purchase stain glass windows for the chapel, rewrite the by-laws, and was her floor representative. She played Euchre, Pinochle, and Bridge. She stayed in shape by walking, exercising on the NU step, and taking exercise classes. She continued to read daily and crochet. She joined a memoirs class, book club, and a crafty ladies group. She attended church regularly. She enjoyed traveling with her family on adventures to anywhere, going on picnics, and sharing in family gatherings, birthdays, and holidays. Whenever the car motor started, Nellie was ready to go, even if it was to the grocery store. She enjoyed a mug of ice cream with milk in the evenings.

Nellie had many challenges and illnesses during her life which strengthened her faith. She was born premature, tiny and frail. Her brothers wondered if she would amount to anything. They wanted someone to rough house with. She had whooping cough at 4 months old. The childhood diseases of mumps and chicken pox put her to bed for many days. She was susceptible to pneumonia. She had a horrible experience with a 25-foot tapeworm when she was 12. The summer before 8th grade, she broke her arm. In the 60’s, she was hit by a car while she was standing on a street corner. It was wintertime and the car slid into her. She received leg injuries which plagued her the rest of her life with thrombophlebitis and arthritis. She had 4 major surgeries during her lifetime. She had a miscarriage the spring of 1942. Most important, Nellie is a survivor of an ectopic pregnancy in September of 1942. She almost bled to death at the time. Blood transfusions were new back then, but her dad gave blood – only to find out he had also contacted malaria back in 1912 in Virginia. Thankfully, Nellie was born with malaria. Many prayers were said as she hovered between life and death for 8 days. Nellie is also a survivor of stage-4 lymphoma in 1993. Her motto at that time was “Never Give Up."

As Nellie aged, she dealt with more injuries and challenges. She had her ups and downs with health and strength. She broke each arm, fell and broke her ribs, then her hip, another time her pelvis, and had shingles twice. When Nellie was in her 90's, she had mild hearing loss and needed hearing aids. But the most frustrating for her was getting macular degeneration after cataract surgery, causing her eyesight to grow worse. She found herself in physical therapy four times. No matter how poorly she felt, you never heard her complain. She always made it a point to ask each nurse or a patient how they were and really took an interest in them. One of Nellie’s favorite scriptures is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Nellie worked hard during those rehab days in order to return to her independent living. And each time, she did return to her apartment. She showed courage and determination as she dealt with each circumstance during her life.

Nellie’s faith in her Lord God never wavered during her life. She believed God did so much for her not only through prayer but through the people that touched her life in times of death, health, injury, cancer, and weakness. He was also there through friends during the good and busy times.

Nellie wore many “hats” during her lifetime, but she said her greatest achievement was her family. She had two children, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. With her hands, heart, and love, she built a home and gave to her family. They loved her dearly and felt blessed to have had her in their lives. She gave joy and friendship to all those whose lives she touched. And she felt honored to have had her family and friends touch her life in so many ways. She was a wonderful example of how to live life: don’t worry, trust in the Lord, keep each day positive, and stay active.

Nellie passed away gently and quietly on June 10, 2014 from heart failure. Her mind was sharp to the very end. We celebrate her 101 years and 9 months. We are grateful the Lord brought her into our lives. She ran a good race, crossed the finish line and now wears a crown of glory. She left a legacy of love and wonderful memories to pass on to future generations. For this, we are truly blessed.

SHARI'S AND BRUCE'S

MEMORIES OF HOME

Read at Nellie's 100th Birthday Party –

Pokagon State Park, Indiana

September 15, 2012

Poem written and read by Shari

This is a poem

About a woman we all know,

A poem you’ll want to hear

So I’ll read real slow.

She’s a person we love

And cherish so dear,

A person we love more

With each passing year.

She’s done so much

For her family and friends,

Thoughtfulness and caring

There has been no end.

I think you know

Who I am referring to,

She’s had a big influence

On each one of you.

Most of you know her

As Aunt Nellie or Nellie DePew,

Grandma and Great Grandma

By fourteen of you.

If you’re lucky enough to know her

You truly have been blessed,

She’s an extraordinary person

Compared to the rest.

But no one is luckier

Than two people who have had,

The honor and privilege

To call her Mom – Bruce & I are so glad!

She raised us up right

And taught us the Golden Rule,

Stressed good manners, don’t lie

And do well in school.

There are many fond memories

Of growing up at home,

Memories we’ll never forget

No matter where we roam.

So if you have a moment

And if you don’t mind,

I’d like to share

A few of Bruce’s and mine.

We’d wake up in the morning

To the clock or Mom’s voice,

Cereal and toast were

The breakfast of choice.

Our kitchen was cozy

Small, yellow and bright,

Mom’s collection of salt & pepper

shakers were on shelves

And placed just right.

A gas stove was in the corner

A Sunbeam mixer on the counter,

And from the kitchen window

We could see the bird feeder.

The stove and mixer

Were put to good use,

Mom fixed great meals

For Dad, me, and Bruce.

Down in the basement

Was my plywood dance floor,

Bruce’s train set and table

The incinerator, old coal bin and more.

Dad had his drafting table,

Workbench and photography,

Mom had her crafts, rinse tub, and

Wringer washing machine –

It was a happening place to be.

We had parties in the basement

And Mom would decorate,

Slumber parties, birthdays, holidays

They were fun and first rate.

Our yard had a swing set

And later a pool,

Mom had vegetables and flowers

Dad trimmed the shrubs

The yard was really cool.

But the yard seemed big

When Bruce did his chores,

He mowed the lawn

Raked lots of leaves and acorns.

My chores were inside

Empty waste baskets, sort clothes,

iron and dust,

Mom would say, “Don’t go around

things, move everything –

That’s a must.”

We played hard with

Our neighbors and friends,

In the street or at our houses

We played for hours on end.

Each summer we’d go on a vacation

To see a park or historical site,

Dad made a bed on the car floor

And we would take off at night.

Mom kept track of our travel expenses

In her little black spiral notebook,

Miles traveled, money spent

(mileage, gas, food, lodging, souvenirs)

All she had to do was go back and look.

Dad was good with the camera

And took lots of beautiful pictures,

From them Mom gave programs

In the community, they both were

fixtures.

From Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts,

Dance, to PTA, 4-H, and band,

Mom volunteered generously

With a helping hand.

In clubs and organizations

She wore many hats,

CWF, Homemakers, Church Elder

And on the School Board she sat.

Mom sometimes got paid

For what she did,

And with Dad’s paycheck

They helped us kids.

College cost a bundle

But when we got out,

There was no student loan

We had to worry about.

And good ole Mom

The best you could pick,

She was right there

Whenever we were sick.

Growing up our birthdays

Were special for Bruce and me,

We’d sit side by side, hug

And have the traditional cake

Cutting ceremony.

On Dad’s movie camera

It’s been captured through the years,

And to watch us grow

Sometimes brings good tears.

Mom was a good cook

Holidays were a treat,

She would buy a turkey

And we’d have it for a week.

First the whole turkey

On Thanksgiving day,

Then sandwiches, turkey and

dumplings, bone for soup stock –

What more can we say?

December was exciting

Christmas was special,

We’d decorate the tree

With ornaments and tinsel.

Mom’s crocheted snowflakes

And angels were sold in stores

or given away,

They are in homes worldwide

And enjoyed even today.

The annual Christmas letter

Went to family and friends,

For 55 years

Mom addressed each one by hand.

At Christmas time Mom’s goal was

To make a thousand cookies in all,

Spritz, chocolate, peanut butter,

Figs, rum, and snowballs.

The cookies were kept on the sun

Porch neatly arranged in pans,

Oh, they were tempting

For our young eager hands.

We went to church Christmas Eve

And home to bed – only after,

Santa and the reindeer

Had been fed.

We’d wake Christmas morning

And next to the tree,

Were handmade gifts

For Bruce and me.

Those were the days

We remember so well,

We have fond memories

I bet you can tell.

We had a happy childhood

Such a wonderful life,

Mom, you were a good role model

As mother and wife.

Now the time has come

For your big surprise,

You’re going to see your life

Flash before your very eyes.

Remember those pictures

You and I went through,

Well, Laura and I put them together

Just special for you.

They tell quite a story

No one can refute,

To 100 Years of Love and Adventure

We pay a special tribute.

So, before you sit back

And enjoy the show,

Remember we all love you

Just wanted you to know.

And finally –

We’re all here today

Celebrating a special occasion,

Mom you deserve

A Standing Ovation!

(After I read the poem, everyone stood up, clapped, sang "Happy Birthday" to Nellie, and then enjoyed a picture presentation with music of Nellie's life. The day was fun and special)

POEM by SHARI

Celebrating Nellie’s 101st Birthday –

September 13, 2013

Read at picnic at Cataract Falls in

Indiana – September 15, 2013

It’s been great to celebrate

Your One Hundred & One,

You’re special to each of us

And lots of fun.

As a Mom, Grandma & Great Grandma

We love you,

As a young girl and wife

You were special too.

So, let’s talk about you

And go back in time,

I hope you enjoy this little rhyme.

You were born on Friday,

September 13, 1912,

To Mark & Nina and 2 brothers who

Loved you and thought you were swell.

The family soon moved from Virginia

To the Indiana farm,

As a young girl, you worked and played

Hard – you even broke your arm.

There was no refrigerator

Food was kept in the well,

There were crops, chickens, pigs, lambs

Did any cows have a bell?

From your 1st and 2nd grade teachers

You learned to crochet,

How many afghans, snowflakes,

Angels in your lifetime have you made?

At a fair you met again

William Gerald DePew,

Letters, dates, and love

Came for the two of you.

Engagement, marriage at nineteen –

June 6, 1931,

Ahead was adventure

Places to see and to have fun.

Fifty states, Canada, England,

Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and

the Pacific Islands for Dad and you,

Slide programs, Homemakers, church,

Committees, the school board

You enjoyed these too.

You say your greatest blessing

Is your family – we are first rate,

Two children, 5 Grands and 9 Greats.

You are a blessing to us too

Our thank you's are many,

Not just a few.

You’ve shown us thoughtfulness,

Love and respect,

May we always follow

In your foot steps.

This rhyme may be short

But our love is long,

In our hearts and memories

You will always belong.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the weekend

And your Happy 101st Birthday,

May God Bless You Always –

In All Ways

(I ended this poem as a tribute to my Mom. She would always sign her cards and letters with this blessing.)

OBITUARY

Nellie Marian Lockwood DePew, age 101, a resident of Robin Run Village in Indianapolis, gently and quietly entered eternity on June 10, 2014. She was born September 13, 1912 in Morrison, VA to Mark and Nina (Carpenter) Lockwood. Nellie grew up on a hard working farm in Pleasant Lake, Indiana. She married William Gerald DePew June 6, 1931. They shared 60 years together.

Nellie was a devoted, loving mother who delighted in and supported her two children, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting, being involved in her community, church, and the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Funeral service will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Ave., Schererville, IN 46375. A memorial service in celebration of Nellie's life will be held Monday, June 23, 2:00 p.m. at Robin Run Village, 5354 W. 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Resident Council of Robin Run Village Heritage Fund. For more information or to sign our online guestbook, please visit: www.chapellawnfunerals.com