“Nan”- Through the Eyes of Love by Carol Hutson
February 22, 2010
Who could be more special to a child then their grandparents? They love you unconditionally because they want to, spoil you rotten because they can, and are always there to make the hurt go away.
It is never their intention to take the parent’s place, but to enhance the grandchild’s life. It is very comforting for a child to know that in grandmas and grandpa’s home they are more special than anywhere else. This is Nan’s story seen through the loving eyes of her family.
Lillian, born 11/01/1919, to Paul and Myrtle Crilley, met Donald A. Marshall in September 1934, when she went with her aunt and uncle and others to Eyler Valley on a truck ride before attending services at their Episcopal church. “I believe it was love at first sight for Donald.” Lilly stated. “We were married the following summer on August 15, 1935.”I still have all the notes he wrote me.”
They had two wonderful children, Donald J. and eleven years later their second child Paula. Donald J. married Alice Bowers and had their only child- Bev. Paula married James Garman and had their only child Chris. Unfortunately, the love of Lillian’s life passed away on June, 11, 1985; sadly, followed by their son Donald J. who died on her birthday, November 1, 2001 of cancer.
Lilly known as “Nan”, to her grandchildren Bev and Chris, great-grandchildren Amy, Jennifer, Lucas and most recently twins Jacob and Elizabeth and one darling great-great-grandchild, Austin.
Paula writes lovingly of her mother, “My fondest memories of my mother as a child are wonderful.” ” All of the hugs throughout the day, the great home-cooked meals, the nurturing when I was sick and the love in everything she did. As a teenager, our home was the “hang-out.” “She worked away from home all day, came home and cooked a great meal for whoever happened to be spending the night.” “Friday nights were always the same—out to dinner and then shopping. I always brought a friend along, every week I came home with new clothes and the latest 45 rpm records. She never bought much for herself, but was content to make me happy. I fondly remember the holidays as we would gather in the kitchen and bake cookies, cakes and made candy.” “Fishing trips to the river with campfires over which we cooked dinner and burned marshmallows. I remember how proud she was at my son’s birth and how she beamed at his college graduation. Now, I see how happy she is to hold his children in her arms. She has been through so much in the 90 years. She is so much more than a mother—she is my confidant, my friend.”
Bev remembers fondly, time sent at her grandparent’s home the loving arms that held and comforted her when she was ill. “My first memories of Nan and Pap, were Sunday rides before dinner.” “Once we drove as far away as Cumberland, MD.” “I loved staying with my grandparents during the week.” “Nan always watched me walk to school.” “Pap liked to see me dressed up in pretty dresses.” “I still have the purple and white dress and the popcorn dress they bought me for graduation.” Now ninety, Nan is a cancer survivor of 40 year. She is a proud woman and a fighter, she is my bionic woman.” Bev states proudly.
Looking through several photo albums as we turned the pages of Lilly’s life, Bev and Lilly reminisced about past summers and holidays spent in the loving home Lilly shared with her family and memories of friends she holds so dear. Lilly remembers fondly her dear friend Mary Fogle. I asked Bev to sum up in one word her feelings for her grandmother. Looking across the table at her beloved Nan, with teary eyes and whispered, “LOVE.”
Chris, first memories of his grandmother- Nan is her homemade fudge. “She is the only one I know who made it from scratch!” She always put family first she made big meals for all of us, she was at every school and band function,” Chris remembers fondly.
Amy and Jennifer- her eldest great-granddaughters by Bev and Terry, responded “Nan is one of the most honest, caring, loving and sweetest people in our lives.” “We are truly lucky to be able to call her our great-grandmother.” “She has always been there to lend an ear or shoulder when needed.” “She truly has been a blessing to me in many ways by showing me there is nothing that cannot be overcome with the love and support of your family.” Amy continues
Sharon, a neighbor of eight years is a constant companion to Lilly, “Our friendship started by bringing in her newspaper, over the years we would sit for hours and talk.”
“She is a lovely woman, I feel like part of the family now,” Sharon states
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