My Great Grandmother Helen went to Heaven on Friday to be with Big Al and her friends. It was a very sad time for mommy and the Means family. I know that she will be missed greatly by everyone, but that she is in a better place. I am glad that I got to see her last week; I know that she loved having her family there to celebrate Thanksgiving. For we are truly thankful for her.
Although I never knew her in her glory days, I will enjoy reading her life story as told,
"The Lurlene set sail from California bound for Hawaii. Helen Stanton Means boarded the ship with a UC Berkeley pre-med diploma and an adventurous spirit. The year was 1939 and sailing across the Pacific was a romantic and daring endeavor. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a roguishly charming FBI agent named Al Means would lead to a storied life together that spanned over fifty years, five children, fourteen grandchildren, and nine great-grand children.
One of her grandchildren very much remembers the strength of her hands. Throughout her life Helen’s hands were forged by
The grip of a tennis racket in a competitive match against her daughter in-law.
Crafting ceramic tiles of a mosaic table.
The firmness of a fishing reel fighting a marlin off the coast of Mexico.
The care with which she knitted all of her grandchildren’s Christmas stockings.
The light touch of a putter on the lush greens of Hilton Head Island.
The agility with which she shucked low country oysters.
All the while, her other hand held a martini.
In 1967 Helen and Al settled in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Their days passed with entertaining friends, playing legendary rounds of golf, and heated tennis rivalries. Their children’s photo albums are chockfull of pictures of grandkids driving the Chris-Craft, feeding the golf-course alligators marshmallows, and shark-fishing from the beach. But it was Helen’s wild California spirit that filled the house with joyous laughter and rollicking fun.
Finally the time came for Helen to say goodbye to Big Al. It was late summer when the family gathered on Sea Pines. She bid farewell in a grove of low country Palmettos and live oaks graced with Spanish Moss. And on that day, Helen set forth on a new journey.
At the age of seventy, she traveled to India, Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel and Egypt. She played the links of Ireland and shot in the 90’s and still played a mean game of tennis. And as an avid baseball fan, she cheered her beloved Atlanta Braves and her grandchildren’s sports teams.
Today we celebrate the storied and adventurous life of Helen Stanton Means. Her passion, her zest, her love, and her spirit will be an inspiration for all those that she knew.
And under the low country Palmettos and live oaks, Helen will again be forever joined with Big Al."
One of her grandchildren very much remembers the strength of her hands. Throughout her life Helen’s hands were forged by
The grip of a tennis racket in a competitive match against her daughter in-law.
Crafting ceramic tiles of a mosaic table.
The firmness of a fishing reel fighting a marlin off the coast of Mexico.
The care with which she knitted all of her grandchildren’s Christmas stockings.
The light touch of a putter on the lush greens of Hilton Head Island.
The agility with which she shucked low country oysters.
All the while, her other hand held a martini.
In 1967 Helen and Al settled in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Their days passed with entertaining friends, playing legendary rounds of golf, and heated tennis rivalries. Their children’s photo albums are chockfull of pictures of grandkids driving the Chris-Craft, feeding the golf-course alligators marshmallows, and shark-fishing from the beach. But it was Helen’s wild California spirit that filled the house with joyous laughter and rollicking fun.
Finally the time came for Helen to say goodbye to Big Al. It was late summer when the family gathered on Sea Pines. She bid farewell in a grove of low country Palmettos and live oaks graced with Spanish Moss. And on that day, Helen set forth on a new journey.
At the age of seventy, she traveled to India, Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel and Egypt. She played the links of Ireland and shot in the 90’s and still played a mean game of tennis. And as an avid baseball fan, she cheered her beloved Atlanta Braves and her grandchildren’s sports teams.
Today we celebrate the storied and adventurous life of Helen Stanton Means. Her passion, her zest, her love, and her spirit will be an inspiration for all those that she knew.
And under the low country Palmettos and live oaks, Helen will again be forever joined with Big Al."
5 comments:
Oh Missy, wow. That is such a special tribute to her. She sounds like she was quite an amazing woman. I hope you're able to spend time w/ your family now to celebrate her. Love the pics of precious Andy in Richmond too. Glad y'all made it home okay. Love, Liz
Missy, so sorry about your grandmother. She sounded like a wonderful woman and I'm very glad you guys got to see her last week. Yall are in my prayers.
Missy, I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother but it sounds like she lived an amazing life. We will keep your family in our thoughts. Love, Ashley
Missy, we too are so sorry to hear about your grandmother. How wonderful that you & your family visited her last week. Your family is definitely in our prayers. Love, Erin
missy~ boy she sounds like she was just amazing. i love hearing stories from my grandma, and i am sure that you did the same. that was a beautiful tribute to her. i am so thankful that you were able to spend time with her last week. thank you for sharing her with us.
much love
domenica
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