To most of the world, she was Doris Garriott. However, to her grandkids, my sister and me…and later, Shelley’s son (her great-grandson), Benjamin…and others in our family…she was “Nanny.”
Nanny passed away this morning at the age of 98. She lived an amazing, wonderful life…and will be missed by all who knew her. And, while her passing cannot really be considered unexpected, it does, nonetheless, leave us all with a profound sense of loss.
And while I’ll keep our most personal memories within our small, less-public circle…it is simply incredible to consider what Nanny saw during her long life:
Others born the same year (1911) include:
• Ronald Reagan
• Jean Harlow
• Tennessee Williams
• Hubert Humphrey
• Vincent Price
• Mitch Miller
• Ginger Rogers
• Lucille Ball
• Roy Rogers
Nanny outlived them all – by at least five years!
She was born BEFORE –
• World War I
• The first traffic light
• The first major movie, “Birth of a Nation”
• Henry Ford’s assembly line
• The invention of the Oreo cookie
• The opening of the Panama Canal
Babe Ruth hit his record 60 home runs…and Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic…when Nanny was 15 years old.
Bubble Gum and Mickey Mouse didn’t come along until she was 16.
Nanny was 20 years old when the Empire State Building was completed. And, was 23 when the game “Monopoly” was released.
While we worry about today’s economy, the Great Depression was what Nanny experienced first-hand in her early 20’s. And, when she was 30, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
I remember sitting in her living room with Pap-pa (Nanny’s husband and my Grandfather), along with my Mom and Dad, thinking they were all sooooooo old…as the Beatles were on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
She was then the age I am today.
Rest in peace, and with the loving Savior you worshiped, Nanny. And, thank you for the incredible impact you had on my life…and on the lives of so many others that you touched with your smile and gentle nature. We love you.
Scott, Shelley, Benjamin, & Nanny
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