ANN PALMER

ANN PALMER (nee Terebenatz) age 97. Passed away Tuesday July 12, 2016 after living a full life. Beloved wife of the late Joe. Loving mother of Michael (deceased) (Diane) and Nancy Bryant (Clifford). Cherished grandmother of Rebecca Ann Cooke (John) and Daniel Lee Bryant (Jennifer). Great grandmother of Wyatt, Beatrice and Wesley Cooke and Samson Bryant. Sister of the late Mary Zoner, Katie Gladd, Steve, John, Tom and Teddy Terebenatz. She will be remembered by those who know her for the devotion to those she loved. Ann cherished stories of her childhood on a farm with her six siblings. There she met and fell in love with Joe Palmer, who liked to recall the first time he saw her, thinking "there is my queen". They eloped shortly before he joined the Army Air Corps so she could continue working her secretarial job. At that time, married women were not permitted to work. They were married for 64 years. They raised their children in Middleburg Hts, OH before retiring to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida for 30 years. Ann enjoyed golfing, swimming and playing bridge with her many friends. She will be interred with her late husband Joe in Pensacola, Florida. No services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions suggested to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements by the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (West of I-71). Rebecca Cooke Memories of Grandma Tuesday evening we said goodbye to my beautiful grandma who celebrated her 97th birthday two weeks ago. My grandma grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania one of seven children. I loved stories of "grandpa's farm" when I was a little girl. She told me that they always had plenty of food and even enough to share, even during a time when many people weren't so fortunate. She told stories of running around with her brothers and sisters and picking all the fruit they could eat. She always said all that fruit was why she was so healthy when she got older. She recalled that her mother never wasted a thing, and she and her siblings loved eating potato peels when her mother was cooking. She often remarked on how hard her mother worked cooking for and raising seven children on a farm! She and my grandpa loved telling us how they met. His family was far less fortunate than hers, but lived nearby. He was seeing her older sister while my grandma was away at school learning transcription. When she came home, my grandpa said he could see right away that she was the Queen. The King needs the Queen, so that was that! Sorry, Katie! Even though my grandparents lived in Florida from the time I was four, I always felt close to them. I have so many happy memories of their summer visits. We played for hours at the pool and she made delicious snacks and brought cool drinks. At my parents' house, we would wash grandpa's Cadillac in the driveway and sit on the front steps and drink root beer floats. She never tired of reading bedtime stories and we finished several chapter books during each visit. We played him rummy for hours. She would take me shopping, and I always got new shoes. No one makes a child feel as special and important as grandparents. They always made me feel beautiful and smart. I always felt like they were proud of me. Even when I was very young, grandma let me help cook. I made a "special" cucumber salad, and they always acted as though no one else could slice cucumbers paper thin like me or make the dressing taste just right. My grandma was an excellent cook, and I always felt so important to be contributing. She would recall so many cute or funny stories and things I said when I was a very little girl. I always loved hearing them, and I understand now how much thst means to a child's esteem. As an adult, I appreciate the woman my grandma was. There is still so much I admire about her. She had so many skills and traits that are perhaps less valued now when strong feminism encouraged. She set a beautiful table and even lit candles at dinner. She always stood up straight and dressed well. I think I've still never seen her without lipstick and her hair and nails nicely done. She could cook a perfect steak, and would greet you with an afternoon cocktail. She actually ironed things. Her house was never cluttered and she was never wasteful. She was a homemaker and she was feminine, but she understood her power. She expected manners. Ladies first. She expected the door to be opened for her and her chair to be pulled out. She told me never to date a man who treats his mother poorly or walks far ahead of me. And never touch a man's thigh, unless you mean it, because it's too exciting for them. Don't call or chase boys; they call you. Always leave while they still want more, and don't hold on too tight when someone needs space. Let go a little and let them miss you. Send my wonderful mom, Nancy Bryant, some love today too. As much as she must be hurting, she should know she was there when my grandma needed her. Above all, my grandma was very social, and she was a woman of pride, dignity and poise. Even as she showed signs of dementia, she maintained these qualities, and my mom made sure they were protected to grandma's last day. If you are still with me, thanks for reading this. Even if you didn't know her, if you want to honor my grandma today, stand up straight and sing or whistle while you get your work done today. Dress up a little. Greet someone you love with a whiskey sour when they walk through the door. If you are lucky to be in the company of a small child today, give them your undivided attention, and let them help you with something, even if it's something small, it will matter to them and they will remember one day. But please don't iron anything, that's just ridiculous. Dan Bryant memories of Grandma Grandma was a woman of service. Whether it was her husband, her grandchildren, or neighbors she was always seeking ways to be a blessing. She gave freely of her time, talents and resources. She was quick to write a letter, provide a ride, or bake a cookie (lots of cookies). Grandma was honest and intentional. She always had a song in her head, and was ready to laugh. More than anything she loved her family. There was joy in her voice when you called her on the phone and personal touches in every letter she wrote. She was grateful for every visit and tried to get the most out of moment spent together. She loved to shop and go for lunch. I certainly never went hungry when I was with Grandma. I will miss her songs and whistling, rummy, and letters. There are many restaurants and places that will be forever linked with my grandmother. Although she may not be here physically anymore, I can't help but feel... .."I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places... .." ROW by ROW The Story of the Invisible String When I was a little girl about seven years old, my older brother and I were invited to stay for two weeks with our favorite Aunt on her farm in Linesville, PA. We could barely wait for the school year to end and for the summer day to arrive for our trip. We planned to help our cousin, Jim care for the animals, cuddle the newly born litter of farm kittens, explore the woods and swim in Pymatooming Lake. At last we packed our bags, took the ninety minute drive and settled in Aunt Mary's big farm house. Mom spent eh night and in the morning we all had breakfast. Alas, when she got in her car to leave, my happiness turned to heartbreak, "Please stay momma!", I cried. She stopped the car and hugged me to her. She gently pressed her thumb I the spot my heart was hurting and then pressed it to her own heart. "There", she said, "When you feel that 'pull', that's my invisible heartstring pulling on yours. That means I'm thinking of you. No matter where we go, you are still connected to me." She put a thin aluminum ring with a string tied to it in my hand, and showed me the one she had for herself. We will wear these to remind each other that the pulling in our hearts is just the invisible string connecting us.; I had a wonderful time in those two weeks. The little aluminum ring somehow got lost in the fun. But the invisible string that tied her heart to mine only grew stronger through the years. It added a link to my husband when I married and he traveled. Then more, when my daughter and son were born. When my daughter went to college, it stretched to Toledo, then Europe, then New York City, not to Seattle, WA. It stretched around the world when my son joined the Marine Corps. Now it holds me close with him and his family in San Diego, CA. It holds tight my 96 year old mom even today, as she takes her journey with Alzheimer's disease. She is not alone even one day. Out invisible string is secure. I share mom's promise with all of you. May you always cherish the pull of your heart strings. THE INVISIBLE STRING: That connects your heart to mine, Cannot be lost Although you may travel beyond my arms, beyond my path, beyond our nations shores. Even if you mind retreats to a place I cannot follow, or, should you pass beyond life. the gentle tug of your string summoned by a song, a scent, the familiar face of our friend, or my footsteps to a remembered place. Makes your presence known, Home is where your heart is. And mine will always be with you. Your daughter Nancy Bryant.