February 13, 2011: In Memory of Grandma Marjorie Hope Gonyo

When I came home from church, mom said I should sit down.   She said that Marianne had called and left us a message that Grandma Gonyo had passed away in her sleep during the night.   I was glad that she didn't have to suffer any longer than she did.     She was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.    She had breast cancer around 5 yrs ago and had radiation, but did not want chemo at that time.        Her close friend, Norm Schultz, has been calling her everyday since she returned to Michigan last May.      She had carpal tunnel surgery on her right hand last winter which was painful for her.     She hadn't been the same since that surgery.     She wrote me emails up until around April with one hand.      She enjoyed writing her whole life.     I have saved several of her emails with wonderful advice.    The hardest part for me is not being able to write her about my life and ask for more advice.    She was excellent with that.      

It didn't hit me until tonight that she is gone.  I took Maggie outside and looked up at the cloudy sky, but could see a glimpse of the moon and prayed for my grandma.  She is now in heaven with grandpa and my dad.  I miss them all.   

Yesterday, my mom had a heartfelt talk with me about my dad and her courtship and marriage.   My dad's grandmother told my mom that she was going to have a wonderful mother-in-law, which is exactly what she had.   Finally, the pieces of the puzzle are getting filled with regard to my dad.  It has taken almost 26 years to get the information that I have been looking for.

Early last week, I had a dream about planning my grandma's funeral, so I called her Tuesday to say hello.  She wasn't feeling well, so really didn't want to talk.  I just talked a few minutes and said I loved her and she said she loved me too.  I am so glad I gave her that phone call.

My grandma is the one who got me interested in watching the soap opera, 'Young and the Restless' back in 1990.  I have been watching it ever since.    She always got a kick out of the character, Victor Newman.     There are many times, I would stop over her house at 1846 Manz St. in Muskegon to visit with her and watch the soap opera.       I also enjoyed playing cards with her.   We played Kings in the Corner quite often.  

She was born August 9, 1919 in Brunswick, Michigan.   She had a sister, Pauline Kimball, and a brother, Max Morrison.    She married my grandfather, George Gonyo, on August 9, 1940, which would have been her 21st birthday.    She had two sons, George Gonyo and Robert Gonyo.     My father passed away on April 24, 1985 and my grandfather passed away November 11, 1993 down in Zephyrhills, FL.   

I will remember the times up at the cabin in Baldwin and all of the good food we had there, such as Bugles, ice cream sundaes, pot roast, and cheesy potatoes.      When she went to bed, she always had on the radio, which helped her sleep.  One time I was staying at their house on Manz and enjoyed listening to the scanner.   I knew what crime was going on in the area.     

She gave me this frame that says "Before You Go to Bed, give your troubles to God.  He will be up all night anyway".   I have that sitting on my night stand for reference.   

I will miss my grandmother deeply.