Mae Holsted

Mae Holsted Eulogy

My Great Grandmother Mae Holsted was a very pivotal person in my life. I called her Grandma, and although she was 88 years old when she died, she packed more living into those 88 years, than many other people would in 150. My earliest memories of her are Christmas, and Thanksgiving days which we celebrated with her, usually at our house. Gramma was always there- loaded with gifts for everyone, Often she would have these gifts pre-bought as early as July, and be just bursting to tell someone about the gifts she had bought long before Christmas ever came.

She loved people, the more the merrier she would say. Look around and Gramma would be found in deep conversation with different people, sharing jokes, recounting stories of her travels, and of the family. She loved her family especially her grandchildren. Their triumphs were her triumphs, their disappointments were her disappointments. Regardless of the outcome she was always there to lend her support. You could say she was the grand matriarch of the Holsted family.

My great Grandmother kept notes.- she kept notes of things that were important to her,-things that went far beyond grocery list and doctors appointments. Throughout the years she had saved clippings, pictures, and mementos of my career in hockey with the intent of making them into a scrap book.- The scrap book was one of the things she didn’t get to finish, but I have the package of clippings.-

The night after she died I went through them, and it was an emotional trip for me. Among the clippings I found in her handwriting, a note to herself called “TAKING TIME” This note outlined 10 items that must have been of great importance to her amounting to a philosophy of the kind of life that she believed in and lived.

I want to share the note with you.-

The first item “Take time to work” Gramma worked hard from the time she was a young girl.—It was her courage, her strength, and her will that made it possible for her to raise a family of 6 children and one grandson, not a small thing in those days when money was scarce and amenities were few. She took many jobs outside the home when it was necessary, always proud to be self sufficient and pay her way.

I remember my Gramma working in her rose garden and keeping her yard immaculate. It was important to her to keep Grampas grave beautiful, the perfect roses that bloomed beneath the head stone every year showed everyone that this man was loved.

Item 2 was “Take time to think” It is the source of power. It’s hard to know what Grandma may have been thinking about, but she seemed always to be in control of her own affairs.

Next on the list was Take time to play, it is the secret to youth.- Grandma loved to dance, her favorite haunt was the freedom hall. She loved to play floor curling, she played bingo, and she played cards. I’ve been told by my aunty that Grandma and Grandpa would team up with their friends and literally play cards all night. She made sure that the grandchildren knew how to play cards. At the festive events I mentioned earlier, Gramma kept all of the kids amused and laughing, teaching us all the games she knew.

Item number four- Take time to read, it is the foundation of knowledge. Gramma didn’t bother much with historical novels, biographies or great memoirs…SHE read travel brochures, and the sports page! In her early 60s she became a travel agent for Nagel tours. She traveled all across Canada from coast to coast. She traveled from Seattle to Florida, San Diego to the New England States, and everywhere in between. She traveled from Mexico to the Artic circle- Her pride and joy was having her picture taken at the North Pole- And I mentioned the sports page – Well, she kept track of the scores of every game ever played in minor hockey in Barrhead and beyond. She not only knew the players and their positions, she traveled with them. It was not unusual to see Gramma holding the attention of an entire team of 18 year olds on a bus, convincing us that she knew for sure that they were going to win the game.

Take time to reflect- it steadies the course. This was the 5th item on the list. Gramma never forgot her roots, she loved her horses-they were happy memories for her. She always kept dogs and cats, and even birds, reflecting on them in their later years gave her peace.

Take time to help and enjoy friends.- it is the source of happiness. As I said earlier Gramma loved people- She remembered birthdays, sent out stacks of Christmas cards, and received many in return- All her social life revolved around friends.

Item 7 Take time to love, it is the one sacrament of life- When Gramma wrote this she had to be thinking of Grandpa. In Grandpa’s later years when he was sick and dying, Gramma kept a constant vigil at the hospital, making sure he was comfortable, making sure he was fed, and making sure he knew he was loved.

Take time to dream---- it hitches the soul to the stars. Gramma took great pleasure in simple things. Her house was filled with knick knacks, many of them souvenirs of places she had been. Casinos were exciting, and winning at the slots was a dream come true.- In her last year she was still dreaming of another cruise this time to Alaska- Auntie Sharon had even bought her wardrobe--- But sadly illness caught up with Gramma, and this dream was put on hold.

Item 9- Take time to laugh.- It is the song that lightens the load. Gramma loved a good laugh- even if the laugh was on her. This humor showed up on her license plate which proudly proclaimed.—Lead, Follow, or get out of the way. That’s my Gramma.

Item 10 the last point in Gramma’s note was: Take time to plan. It is the secret to everything in the first 9 points.- Gramma was always planning ahead- But some things you can’t plan for- Like every body else, I don’t think Gramma was really sure what comes after death. She knew she was dying and she was afraid.

I asked my mother “How do you help someone who is dying?”—And my mother said “You hold their hand”--- And that is how Gramma passed out of this life—She passed very peacefully like it was planned, and her final words were “I’m just fine”.

Rest in peace Gramma

Mrs. Mae Holsted, late of Barrhead, passed away peacefully, Saturday, July 29, 2006 at the age of 88 years. She is survived by; Mureldine Measures of Barrhead; Louise (Martin) Boychuk of Edmonton; Steve (Linda) Holsted of Barrhead; Mabel (Art) Klenke of Edmonton; Sharon (Gary) Shantz of Vancouver, David (Nadine) Holsted of Barrhead, sister Pearl Smith of Winnipeg; numerous other family. Mae is predeceased by her husband Albert John, August 1997 and a daughter Ollie Saulnier, December 1996.A Celebration of Life will take place at 1 PM, August 3, 2006 at Rose Garden Chapel in Barrhead. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Manola Cemetery c/o Barb Beck RR 1 Barrhead, AB T7N 1N2 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 10985 – 124th Street, Edmonton, AB T5M 9Z9. Arrangements entrusted to Rose Garden Chapel, of Barrhead 780-674-4644. An Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial.