I hope you, grandpa, uncle Richard and Aunt Cindi are final all together again. 
I love you all.

Auntie Etta, I'm looking through photo albums with my youngest son Logan.  Specifically looking for pictures of you. I could sadly only find two pictures, but in both of them you are as I remember, surrounded by family who loved each other.  I wish I could find more pictures because two just doesn't come close to the many memories I have of you.

I remember when your hair was red, I remember your incredible garden that was always so much better than ours. I remember the beautiful ceramics you painted. I remember your laugh and your sigh; I remember your smile and your tears.

I remember the long, long, long drive (45 minutes) to visit you and Uncle John and Cousin Richard.  Almost always Auntie Sofia and Uncle Meddie were already there helping you with dinner.  In my memories, the three of you were always so close.  We cousins loved your home; we disco danced in your basement with our cousin Richard.  It's one of the places I grew up.

I'm so sorry we saw less of each other as the years went on, but you were always there for those important events like weddings and births.  

I will miss you auntie, I love you very much!

Your niece,
Theresa

You were such a wonderful sister and auntie to our whole family.  We love you and we miss you. Your absence will leave a void in our hearts.

~ Ronnie and Alice, Rob and Brenda, Andrea and Brian, Theresa and Mario, Justine, Austin and Logan

Dear Auntie Etta,

We come here to be with family and friends as we celebrate your life. To let all those here know that you lived and loved and were loved to the fullest.

As I speak to everyone here, you have already passed unto heaven. I know you are there, for to me you were an angel.

You lived a life, although not the one I would have picked for you. You stayed true and finished your whole life there on Long Ave, married to Uncle John Gradoz your entire life!  I would often question you on why you stayed. I always felt that you were stolen from us. The last time I saw you last September 2011; you looked at me and gave me your answer.  You said,” Well, Londa, mi hita that was my choice”. I never asked you again. You were right, when I thought about it- we all make choices. Some people in our family don't always agree with our choices, but it is our choice to be made, and nobody else's.

When we were children, Lonnie, Alice, Joe, I and Tootsie, our family was blessed to have the best Uncles and Aunties in the world. Uncle Meddie, Uncle Ronnie, Uncle John, Aunt Mary, Aunt Via, Aunt Sofia. The three youngest Uncle Meddie, Aunt Sofia and you were a great part of our young lives. You were all so good to us. You took care of us; you played with us and made us feel like your own. 

I favored you above the rest, because you were full of life, you were an artist- you could draw anything. Your laughter was infectious; your eyes would light up when you looked at me. I knew you loved me very much.

 I remember going to Grandma's house when we were young, and Uncle Meddie, and Aunt Sofia and you,  would be cleaning the house, I mean I have never see cleaning like that since, everything would be taken up, carpet, rugs, dishes out of cabinets- baseboards and walls would be cleaned, floors mopped, bathroom cleaned, everything in sight dusted. It took all day and it was like a party- music would be playing- The Platters, Johnnie Mathis, Chuck Berry, The Big Bopper- we would sing and dance, eat lunch, iron clothes and if we were lucky we could spend the night. Happy and safe, between those clean sheets and furry bedspreads.
 
I remember when you got your first new car; I believe it was a 1967 Black and White Chevy with long fins for tail lights, just like the end of the eye glasses you wore back then. Wow, we were so excited to ride in that new car.

On the holidays- you, Aunt Sofia and Uncle Meddie really went all out,  Easter was one of the best holidays when we were young. We the girls in the family would get new dresses, frilly socks, patent leather shoes, purses to match our dresses, which had all kinds of lace and bounce. You, Aunt Etta would draw the most beautiful Easter bunnies in color and made the most beautiful baskets, overflowing with love and everything else a child would want. 

When you married Uncle John and moved to Littleton, Co we would visit you there. It was way out in the country, no houses around for miles, we would have to pack a lunch it was so far.  The first time we went there, we got lost and had to return home. But when we did make it to your house, it was always great to see you. You were glad to see us and in a minute you would whip out a full spread of good food and lots of laughter. We could never stay long enough.

 I remember when you brought home your 1st baby boy, Richard (he is with you now). Oh goodness, a baby was never so loved and lucky to have you for a Mother. You loved Richard so; he completed your life there on Long Avenue. 

The years passed, I moved away to CA, (my choice) in 1976.  We kept in touch and every time I would come to town, (I would pack a lunch) and stop to see you- it was always the best time.

I remember all those times together with great love. I want to thank you for all the loving memories that I will hold dear in my heart for they will help me get through the rest of my life. I miss you; I will cherish you, and will forever hold you in my heart.

I know you are with God now, wait for me.  I will see you on the other side.

Your loving niece forever, Londaponda

Sending Peace and Love to Our Family at this time of Sorrow. May God hold Aunty Etta in the palm of his hands.  She was an Angel here on Earth and will be greatly missed and always Loved. With Love her Niece Tootsie and husband Philip Lara

Please accept my condolences on the passing of our dear cousin, Etta.  We loved her joy of life and how she helped to care for my Auntie in her later years.  We were fortunate to have her in our lives and she will be greatly missed.

The Children of John and Daisy Morales

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Etta Mary Gradoz

15 juin 1939 – 8 juillet 2012

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Chapel Hill

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