The matriarch of our family, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother, Ruth Furlong, July 6, 1917 – March 8, 2009, passed away today, circa 10:30 am PST. The photo above is one of the last I ever took of her, and my Grandfather, who passed May 14, 2001. Ali’i, my nephew from my Hawaiian family, is pictured with them. It was his first time he and they had met one another. My Grandmother is survived by her daughters, Julie (my mom) and Kippie (my aunt). She was 91 years young and the last 5 months she had been steadily declining. It was real rough on my Mom and Aunt, but they persevered. It was rough on them and the entire family, but she is at peace now and in a far better place. In addition she is survived by Bob (Kippie’s husband and my Uncle), Me, Timmy (my brother), Jane (Timmy’s wife) Emily (Timmy’s daugheter and my niece) Connor (Timmy’s son and my nephew), Lauren Anne (my sister), Renee (Lauren’s partner), Dean (Kippie and Bob’s son, my cousin), Jamie (Dean’s daughter) Justin (Jamie’s husband) James (Jamie and Justin’s son), Julie (Kippie and Bob’s daughter) Ray (Julie’s husband) Tyler (Julie’s son) Dawn (Tyler’s wife), Indica (Tyler and Dawn’s daughter), Kianna (Tyler and Dawn’s daughter), Tyler Robert (Tyler and Dawn’s Son), and Ali (Julie and Ray’s daughter). This is our immediate family. There are other distant family members that also survive her.
My Grandmother, we called her GM, was something else. I remember with all the love, gratitude, thanks and respect to both GM and GF:
- Pretty Penny Ranch on Winnie Lane – GM and I think my Mom and Aunt going with her and buying a purebred bloodhound, Howie, for my Grandfather and coming home and surprising him one night. Boy did he growl when you tried to get near him when he ate
- Home movies, 8mm, of special times at the Ranch and elsewhere
- The New Pretty Penny Ranch on Ash Canyon Road – GM and GFs final and last home
- All the parties at the house with the Arkells, Spoffords, Johansens, Baxters and many other’s
- GM bumping into the garage while parking and putting a slight hole in the wall – hence my GF geting her a license plate KRASH
- GM and GF taking all the grandchildren when they were 10 on a special trip – just the two of them and the grandchild
- My trip was to San Francisco and I remember going to the Marrakesh and having Couscous and them spraying us with Orange Blossom spray after the meal. GM and GF had to tell them I was older than I really was to gain entry
- GM and GF taking all the granchildren on a trip to Goldfield, Nevada, where she grew up and we teased her unmericfully about her boyfriend burning down the town while lighting her birthday cake at the gas station. Then on the way home, stopping by the side of the road and Me, Timmy and Dean running off and playing in the sand dune and the sound of it “farting” as we ran down it. GM later admited she should have never allowed us to do that
- GM and GF coming back from a little trip and there was a fire in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, above their house and them coming down to get us so we could be closer and watch it in amazement
- Every Sunday GF coming down and picking us up to go spend Sunday with the two of them. One Sunday we redid their entire family room and boy did she cook a great meal that night
- Me and GF putting up the telephone poles that were suppose to have a sign across them for Pretty Penny Ranch on Winnie Lane – we never got that accomplished
- All the summers that we would come in from Winnemucca and spend the entire summer with them. We worked at their Hardware Store (Meyer’s Hardware). Every day, GF and I would come home for lunch promptly at 11, in the stores VW Volkswagen van and she would have lunch waiting. Then promptly at 2:00 she would come down to the store and we (GM, Mom, Kippie, GF, George and Me) would all go for coffee. The we would close the store at 6 pm, head back home, walking past crazy Norma’s house and leave for home. They would have an Early Times and Seven, we would watch the news, eat a great dinner and start again all over the next day. I remember Richard Nixon was a hot topic of conversation at the time
- GM getting her hair done every Friday come hell or high water and you didn’t touch it or mess with it boy
- The look only a Grandmother can give you when we decorated Mod Bets and put her in the store window
- GM and GF coming down to Tucson and taking me, Bill (my college roommate), Kelley (now Bill’s wife and the two of them are my closests friends to this day) and Kathy (a good friend of ours) going to Pinnacle Peaks for a steak dinner. GF’s tie must still be hanging from the ceiling as it was customary if you had a tie on when you walked in there, they cut it off and hung it
- GM and GF’s animals – Heine, Howie, Landeck, Slugger and a couple others. Landeck and Slugger were horse’s. Slugger was a Shetland Pony and I remember us getting on top of him and having him run down the lane down a little hill stopping immediately and us sliding down his neck and onto the lawn
- GM always insisting we put a dime in the birthday cake and the one that got that piece would have good luck
- The Christmas parade where we decorated the sled and GF pulled us down Carson Street in the Christmas Parade
- GM decorating her house for all the holiday’s. At Christmas it looked like you were in the North Pole
- Missing one Grandparents Day and not sending a card to them. She let me know that she wasn’t happy about that
- There 2 seater Turqouise T-Bird, the dark red Olds, the white Toronado and the Yellow Delta 88
- The special Christmas cookies, I think sugar cookies with the sesame seeds on top
- GM giving treats to the dogs when she went to visit Kippie and Uncle Bob
- The chicken dinner she made GF and myself when he and I went camping, riding horses up to Tuffly Flats and spending the night up there
- GM hating having her picture taken
- GM making sure that Mrs. Claus put a gift on our plates when we all gathered at GM and GF’s house for Christmas morning breakfast
- Going on a trip with my finger all cut up from a lawnmower and GM and GF coming up with butting a balloon on it so I could go swimming
These are just a few of the memories I will treasure forever. But most of all I will always carry with me her always making us be a gentleman and ladies and show respect and have manners. She never let any of us forget that, ever.
A little something from Ali’i and Kahili:
GM and GF you are both now together for all time to come. I’m so grateful and thankful that you are my Grandparents. I will carry you with me always, through good times and bad times, sad times and happy times. May you both be at peace now and enjoy eternity.
Mahalo and Thank you. I love you both dearly.
Until we meet again….A Hui Ho
Thom,
I am so sorry to learn about the passing of your grandmother. You have written her such a lovely eulogy that I have tears in my eyes as I type this.
You are lucky to have so many vivid, wonderful memories. I hope they continue to bring you comfort and joy as you grieve.
Thanks Quilly. It’s more of a relief than grieving. She’s been so bad for 5 months. But you know, mom and Kippie say that she put up with everything like a trooper right until the end. Which I don’t doubt one iota. She had a long glorious life so there isn’t much more you can expect
I am so sorry for your loss, Thom, but you have written of such wonderful memories together.
Thank you Nessa…she was a great lady
An email from Bill and Kelley in Houston:
Just checked home e-mail from work. Well done, Thomas, well done. What fun, goofy yet beautifully real and sentimental comments…I can just hear you saying each and every thing…she was a class act, Ruth was. God love her and your precious Laddie. They made us feel SO special when we were all at U of A. You have one helluva Nevada family.
Thom,
Your beautiful and thoughtful memories brought both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
Thank you. See you later in the week. Love you
Very well said. We are happy and fortunate to have gotten the chance to meet her and the rest of your family while we were there during our first trip. Alii was no lore than 2 at the time an I can still remember the first time they met him. Your stories are wonderful memories and I’m sure there are many more of them that you hold close to you. Know that we love you very much and our thoughts and prayers to out to you and the rest of our Nevada Ohana. Luv you~ Manu, Alii & Kahili
Ya there are plenty of memories. Thank you for the kinds words Manu. I love you and the kids more than you will ever know.
We know how much you love us and just know that we love you just as much and even more. We are with you and the family in spirit, thoughts and prayers and are truly grateful for the times that we were able to share and be a part of her life. Love you!
Thom, Julie, and Family,
We are saddened by the passing of Ruth. She and your grandfather were beautiful people. We will always have the memories of their visits to Tucson and our visits to see them at the Ash Canyon home. They treated us as if we were part of their family, all that was required in return was a hug.
Our days in college were ones where we had barely enough to buy bologna and Kraft macaroni and cheese. It was a grand time when they drove into town in the Toronado. They took us away from poverty and treated us at some of the best restaurants, I remember the Westword Look and Pinnacle Peak especially. Your grandmother was always so impeccably dressed and we traded our normal shorts and t-shirts to be well dressed in her presence at these special events. You knew that she set standards and a high bar but you also knew she loved you for how you were.
I essentially grew up without any grandparents as the last one passed when I was seven years old. To have the opportunity to know your grandparents was like getting a second chance. I remember not being able to go to see my family at Christmas one year and spending it with you at their house. Your grandmother went out of her way to make me feel a part of your family. She had me sit next to her at Christmas dinner and I was given many Christmas presents. I will never forget the kindness.
Your grandmother also changed my view of showing affection. I grew up in a quiet and shy family, we rarely hugged each other. Your grandmother removed that shyness, she wanted a hugs every time you saw her. I have never shied away from a hug since, and Kelley and I have made that part of how we are raising Quinn and Liam.
Thom, thank you for being the friend you have been and the opportunity to get to know your family. We cherish the memories of your grandmother and grandfather and hope we can live as impactful life as they did. I always liked to watch the interaction between you and your grandmother, there were the funny stories and laughs, there was also her keen wit in responding to some of your comments. She could drop you down a rung if need be.
Julie, it was a blessing that she had you closely by her side so many years. You were a great daughter. Thank you for sending Thom down the path to the University of Arizona which lead us to meet him and then get to know all your family.
This brought tears to my eyes. My life is so enriched to have you both involved in it and become a part of my family. It’s been so many years, 30 now I think and to be this close…well that’s true friendship. On behalf of the entire family Thank You and we all love you. This made my day.
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oh my. i’m sorry about your loss, thom.
and now i feel so stupid having ranted about my bad day…
No worries and thank you. I will be leaving for the mainland Wednesday for a week. It’s just a relief. Rants are a part of life and I enjoy them. Remember always…life goes on
I’m sorry for your loss. Mine died two years ago and it was one of the saddest moments of my life
Gabe: Thanks so much for your kinds words. I will be leaving to the mainland Wednesday for a week. All my Aloha to you my friend.
Dear Thom —
I’m so sorry about your grandmom’s passing. Even though I never met her, your wonderful memories sure bring her to life and she sure was quite a character. Now I can see where you get it from! I can tell from what a terrific person you are, that she, your Mom, and your family raised their young people with lots of love and discipline.
It brought tears to my eyes to read how much you loved her and to see what a legacy she has left your whole family. We all can only hope that we will be so lovingly remembered.
God bless and comfort you and your family as you grieve.
Lynn – Mahalo for your very kind words. She was one of a kind. Both of them were. Thanks again. It means a great deal to me
Thom,
I just read your eulogy, and can’t tell you how sorry I am. It seems odd to hear her and GF be called by their names as I always called them GM and GF also. Especially while working with GF at the hardware store. My prayers are with all of you, please know I am thinking of you.
Nancy
Nancy: Thanks so much for your nice and kind words. I had forgot you called them that also. Memories I will cherish forever. I will be in Carson on Thursday. I hope to see you. Thanks again.
Thom,
Sorry to hear about your grandmothers passing. I never met her, but she must have been a wonderful person.
My aloha to you and your family.
Gerald
Gerald: Many many thanks for your kind and nice words. It means a great deal to me for you to take the time to write. Aloha my friend.
Brother what a fabulous tribute to them both. They are both missed an emptiness never to be filled that is for sure. We loved them both so very much. I am very very sad for my own selfishness however they are both in a much better place. GF I have missed you for years and GM the loss I feel has only begun. I want everyone to know they were two of the best people. I am so glad and lucky I had them for 42 years. I LOVE THEM BOTH FOREVER.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
LAUREN
Our lives go on and let us never forget the memories. Thank you Laurie for the wonderful comment Love you
hi dearest thom, i dont know what to say about the beautiful tribute to mom and dad. you made me smile and cry at the same time. i remember so many of the things you put in your message… werent we the luckiest to have them for as long as we did. i dearly loved them and i miss them both so much. it is like the end of an era somehow now that they are gone. thank God i have you thom, tim and laurie and jane, renee and my sweet emily and connor. even tho i am so sad about grandmother i am so lucky to have all of you. thank you thom for putting this all on your blog. i appreciate all the kind comments from people who i dont know (and some that i do like bill and kelley and nancy) but were so nice with their warm words. its a sad time but i am so anxious to see all of you this week. love, mom xoxoxoxoxoxxoox
Yes Ma it is the end of an era but as I have said before, life goes on and now we have the new era with you, Kippie and UB guiding us through it. You are most welcome for this and, I like you appreciate all of the comments. You are the best ma and were so strong through all of this. I love you dearly. See you 12:01 AM Thursday morning! Love you.
Thom… what a beautiful tribute to GM and GF.. We were all so lucky to have them. They were two of the most giving people ever put on this earth. Your memories brought tears to my eyes. BUT.. you better watch out.. When GM sees that you put her birth date on the web she will find some way to GET YOU… And God help all you kids if we three “elders” are all you have left to look up to… You kids are all in trouble.. Can hardly wait to see you.. Thank you for doing this for GM & GF.. they would love it !
Thank you Kippie. That they were giving people. And I’ll take my chances with the date LOL. See you Thursday
You realize your mom is now the “Matriarch” of the family don’t you….
You tell her that. I ain’t. LOL
Thom,
I just got home today after a 6-day tour, and was sadden by the passing of GM. Your blog brought tear in my eyes, all the beautiful memory of GM and GF suddenly occupies and rushes in my mind at this moment. Please accept my sincere condolence and love for you and the rest of the family.
Gary
Mahalo Gary for the kind words. It is very thoughtful of you. She touched so many lives as did GF. We all have memories for a lifetime. Aloha my friend.
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What a wonderful way to remember your Gram (this is what we called my Grandmother). I still think of my Gram today and it is close to 40 years she has passed away to be with the Angels and be reunited with her Beloved Will (who I am named after).
Safe journey to the Mainland Thom, will await your return to the blog, take all the time that you need.
Thank you Bill I really appreciate your kind words. Funny how GM’s are called many different things but it all refers to one special woman!