The words of the day were "Pop would have loved this." He was a socialite at heart.
The memorial service was beautiful – full of jazz music, songs, hymns and stories.
We went to pick my grandmother up this morning and everyone was dressed to the nines
Including Hilton the Bear
Upon arrival to the church, there were touches of Pop everywhere, and jazz music danced through the air
[ME!]
We greeted my grandmother in the study and were surrounded by her beautiful paintings
Each one features the holy spirit in the form of a bird –
The service was beautiful – words spoken and music played and sung captured Pop’s essence. I was touched to remember how he would look at you, smile and nod during a church service. A secret shared between you.
Afterwards, we greeted friends from near and far over sandwiches and cookies
Uncle Mel, who turned 100 this year
Matt and I shared a duo of plates and tastes
After the service we took Gram home and the cousins met for a little exercise – in the form of Mall Walking!
We walked throughout Towson Town Center for over an hour, greeting animals in the mix
This evening, we rendezvoused at my aunt and uncles for a meal of Pop’s favorites: Fried Chicken, Mac n Cheese and Salad.
Uncle Chris led us through a wine tasting of Australian varietals
Izzy and Winston are the cutest dogs I’ve ever seen!
For dessert, we popped open some bubbly
And Aunt Mary Ellen’s Bread Pudding, split 2 ways with Matt
Because they doubted I’d put it on KERF, Butterfingers are GOOD!
And we toasted, to Pop
With an Armagnac from 1945 (1945?!)
Strong, but goes straight to the soul
To Pop!
Honorary toast #2 was a whiskey from 1918 – the year of Pop’s birth
Here here
Cousins
Plus family
We raise our right hands!
I have inherited back Pop’s KERF sweatshirt – will miss him so much.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
What kind of dog is that in the picture there with you?
Larb's Matt says
A Mastiff!: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mastiff
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Your family has such longevity and such a great way to celebrate life even in death.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a beautiful day! Your Pop would be so proud! I love how you all honored him in so many different ways!
Victoria says
Kath, I’m so sorry for your loss, but it’s so wonderful you can be surrounded by family at a time like this. I’ve lost both of my grandmother’s this summer, and I’m thankful everyday for a family as close as mine. I hope you’re all taking comfort in each other.
Julie @ Wearing Mascara says
What a wonderful celebration of your Pop! 🙂 I love the whiskey from 1918. How awesome is that?! 🙂
Krystina says
I absolutely adore how beautiful and strong your family is and how you truly celebrated your Pop. It’s lovely. Just lovely.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Your family did it right- celebrate the life he lived 🙂
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
It looks like a lovely time despite the circumstances! It must have been great to be with your family at a time like this.
Rianne says
Today was a wonderful way to celebrate your Pop’s life! I am sending happy thoughts and wishes to you and your family. 🙂
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
It’s so strange about memorial services how the unite the family. My extended family always has a very hard time getting together, but when someone passes its great family time.
Emilyeatsclean says
Ohhh I’m soo sorry about your Pop!! I love the pic of you in his sweatshirt! That dog is HUGE!
Eileen says
What a family! If I were to die at 92, I’d like to be remembered like your Pop. (I guess I would at any age.) It makes me a little sad to see the KERF sweatshirt, but I melt at the thought of him wearing it. Very sweet.
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward says
What a wonderful celebration of your Pop’s life. I’m sure he would have loved the day, and your post.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
My goodness, the people in your family live long!! It must be all the healthy eats and stuffed animal therapy 🙂
TorontoGirloutWest says
Your family knows how to celebrate a life! What a tribute!!!
Please know my thoughts are with you – I noticed how you looked sad in that last picture. Lots of love coming your way Kath! 🙂
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
Your post had me misty-eyed this evening. You and your family’s love for your Pop shines through your descriptions and your photos. It sounds like you have many wonderful memories of him to share.
Hannah says
How wonderful that even a bear was there to celebrate your pop 🙂 So lovely to have all the family together at this time, so that you can focus on what your loved about your Pop, rather than simply missing him. Thoughts are with you.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Another beautiful post… your pop must have been quite the man!
Dorry says
Aww, Kath. You have such a special family – what an incredible day to celebrate Pop’s life. Hope you get some good sleep tonight! 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking says
Sniff, sniff! That last picture really got me!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Kath these posts for your pop make me cry! Really, your photographs and words really touch me, and I never met the man!
What a great way to celebrate his life: with his favorite foods and things.
(and butterfingers are totally good!)
Wei-Wei says
That last photo of you wearing Pop’s sweatshirt is so heartbreaking to see. Celebrate your time with your family, Kath! They are very very special.
Wei-Wei
PS: That photo of Kanz and Matt are just… wow. I mistook Matt for Kanz in the photo right before that (with Larbs?)!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
looks like a great service and spread – your family is lovely, kath.
Donna says
Great celebration. Of course the greatest concern going forward will be your grandmother and how she copes with the loss of her long-time companion. Hopefully the family will be sensitive to her needs and will provide her with the necessary support.
Ida says
What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather. I can really tell how much he was loved. I’m impressed by the spread too- i can’t believe you even had macaroons, they are my favorite.
Jessie (Bites and Pieces) says
I got so teary-eyed reading this post. I think it is beautiful how your family is staying positive and actually celebrating Pop’s life and memory. It is so much better to think of all the happy things, since that is probably what he would have wanted you all to do anyway. 🙂
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
It looks like a truly touching service and gathering of family. I love that you ate his favorite meal, that’s such a great way to honor someone’s memory. That picture of you in his sweatshirt is really sweet and sentimental!
Dynamics says
Thanks for sharing. You Pop was an amazing man. You were so lucky to have him in your life. Take special care of your grandmother, she will need it, especially when everyone goes home and things settle down.
Donna says
Dynamics, you said it so much better than I tried to say it…it is going to be unbearably hard for the grandmother in the next few weeks and months. Don’t forget her.
Sarah for Real says
That was just beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Sorry for your loss. What a wonderful day of remembrance though.
Nikki says
Sorry for your loss Kath, seems like a beautiful celebration of him you had:)
lauri Watson says
Such a sweet tribute! I love the how your family spent the day celebrating the life of your grandfather rather than mourning his passing! I obviously do not know him, but I would gather that this is what he would have wanted 🙂 Stay strong!
Jac says
God bless you and your family and your pop, wherever he is.
Brooke says
This post totally made me tear up. It looks like such a wonderful celebration of Pop’s life. My condolenses to you and your family.
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
wow! whiskey from 1918! that’s really cool that it’s the year of your pop’s birth…Cheers to Pop 🙂
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
wow! whiskey from 1918! that’s really cool that it’s the year of your pop’s birth…Cheers to Pop 🙂
Katrina @ Bonafide Humanity says
aww beautiful.
too funny p.s. I’m the manager of a california JUSTICE!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Your post reminded me of the time I lost my last grandparent, my grandma who I was really close to. Our family celebrated her life the same way your family did and it was also nice to see cousins near and far.
Have a safe trip home
Mary Frances says
Beautiful Tribute and Memorial Service. Seeing the photographs on the easel reminded me of him talking about all of the people he knows and meets. The one on the top left was with Bill Cosby and the bottom left he was having dinner with Cal Ripken, Jr. I didn’t see the one from (I think it was his 80th birthday) when Jay Leno roasted him. It didn’t really matter who you were, Pop treated everyone with enthusiasm, something nice to say / a compliment, and was interested in what you were doing. He surely will be missed.
Casey says
I’m so sorry for your loss Kath. He sounds like a wonderful pop. I love that you are saddened by all of this, but celebrating the good times and memories you’ve all had with him. I’m sure he’s looking down and loving it 🙂
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
What a wonderful celebration for a man that clearly meant a lot to your entire family 🙂
Lily says
Gosh- a family with a 90 year old and an 100 year old..what great genes! You’re in for a long, healthy, happy life 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
what a beautiful memorial…it sounds like it was truly a celebration of his life 🙂
Neen @ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
Another beautiful and touching post, looks like a beautiful day, your pop would be proud x
Julia @ Brit Bride says
You have a beautiful family. This made me tear up, especially the inheriting back of the sweatshirt. xxx
Tina says
Love that idea in the artwork of depicting the holy spirit as a bird. What beautiful work!
How special to get the sweatshirt back. I’m sure you will always cherish it.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I love it when you know that everything about the memorial service is exactly what the person would have wanted and enjoyed. Seeing his family together and the social atmosphere.
Such a beautiful post, Kath! I hope you’re doing well through all of this!
Lauren says
I love that you celebrated his life! So touching Kath! 🙂 I know he will be missed but lived on through your memories forever! 😉
I LOVE the Towson Mall. I use to live in Towson. Such a great little town. Did you happen to see the Trader Joes that’s hiding underneath the mall? It’s hard to find but it’s a good one!
Stacey @ the Habit of Healthy says
It looks like it was a really nice service with a good turnout of family and friends.
The good times will live on through your memories.
Lynn says
Kath & Family- –
So sorry for your loss. A lovely tribute to your Pops.
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
That’s beautiful. Looks like you guys honored him very well.
The Healthy Hostess says
I lost my 90 yr. old Papa and Nana this year. I know how hard it is. Thinking about you and your family. Enjoy each other during this tough time, I am sure that is what he would want you to do!
Erin says
What a beautiful way to celebrate your grandfather’s life. You can tell how proud he was of you and how proud you are right back at him.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Sounds like a great way to remember him! You must have some amazing genes! I am glad it was a good day with lots of friends and family. I hope things go well today too!
Chelsey says
What a beautiful day.
I am sure Pop would have loved it.
That mac n cheese looks soo good!
Janna (Janna's Keeping it Real) says
What a wonderful celebration of life! It sounds as though this captured the essence of your Pop in every way!
Emily @ Run Emily Run says
Looks like a fantastic tribute to your pop. A great celebration of his life. (Your family does bevs really well. Molly Dooker is an excellent wine but it’s hard to track down.)
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
What a great way to remember your pop. Looks like you have an amazing family & support system!
Lauren says
I’m so sorry for your loss, but it’s great that there is so much celebration going on in honor of him. I am sure he would be so happy and proud!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Sorry to hear about your Pop- I’m glad you’re able to spend this time with your family 🙂
klm says
You have the BEST family!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Aw that sounds like a great service and a great time with the family! I’m sure your Pops would have loved knowing that you all came together like that for him! 🙂
Amanda says
You have such a beautiful and strong family!! Your family is in my prayers
Sarah R says
I’ve got tears in my eyes reading this post. It sounds like Pop will always be remembered in each of your hearts 🙂
Caitlin says
Kath, I am so very sorry for your loss. Just know that he is in an even happier place now.
I love your grandmother’s paintings-so beautiful. Also, I love every picture you take with your Uncle Mel. He does not look 100-wow!
Nicole says
What a wonderful celebration of your Pop’s life! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Ok Chick says
Great way to celebrate someone so important to your family. I’m sorry for your loss.
Mom says
Wonderful post sweetie pie!
Jillian says
I’m so sorry for your loss. His life obviously impacted your family in a large way, it is great that ya’ll honored him in so many ways.
It is incredible how your Uncle Mel looks so young! I would have never thought he was 100! Good genes are in your family for sure!
Kim says
So sorry for your loss, but it seems that your family is close & strong and are definitely able to celebrate life and remember the good times. I think anyone looking down would be proud to say that’s their family!
Amanda says
Beautiful mastiffs! My uncle has two, and they’re absolutely wonderful dogs. They’re huge for sure, but the most gentle giants… they might knock you over on accident, but they’re never aggressive!
I have to say that I really respect how you eat. “No duh, Amanda, this is Kath Eats REAL FOOD.” But seriously. I’ve seen a lot of “health” blogs, but they’re more restrictive than anything else. You keep a nice balance of foods, and nothing is “bad” in the moral sense. I like my green monsters as much as the next blogger, but seeing that you eat fried chicken and mac’n’cheese too has only increased my admiration for you.
Again, I’m sorry that you’ve lost your Pop, but you and your family have had a lovely celebration of his life. He seems to have been a great man, and you were blessed to have each other.
Kath says
Thanks Amanda! I reflected on the why on this one and realized that what’s most important to me is that food was made with TLC the whole way through – and this meal was!
Lindsay in Indy says
What a beautiful celebration of his life! I love how close your whole family is…what a blessing to see, especially these days!! Oh, and the Butterfinger picture may be my all time fav pic on KERF! 😉
Meagan says
Uncle Mel is ADORABLE! Did he make it onto the Smuckers jar? They put your picture on there when you get over 100 supposedly.
Kath says
Oh my, I must look into this!
Colleen says
Sniff, sniff. Simply beautiful!
Andrea says
Go Towson…I live very close to there…well, in Maryland, but still kind of close. I bet your grandfather was looking down and smiling on all of you. What a beautiful way to celebrate his life!
Kath says
Thank you all so much!
Sheri says
Looks like you had a wonderful day with your family! What a wonderful way to celebrate his life. I love how you all toasted to him with the whiskey from the year of his birth..very cool!
Jenifer says
What a beautiful tribute!!!
Caitlyn @ A Spoonful of Life says
You pop sounded like a wonderful man with a full life!
Camille says
This post made me tear up a bit.
What a beautiful service. This is exactly what I would hope a service would be like for me: a celebration of life.
Heather says
what a nice tribute. SOunds wonderful.
your sister is raising her left hand in that pic lol!
love the big dogs. His teeth crack me up!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
What a lovely way to celebrate a life. I love that funerals no longer have to be formal, sad affairs. They should be a reflection of how much happiness that person brought into the lives of so many!
Lauren @ 40Apples says
Another sweet, touching post. Thank you for sharing your celebration of Pop’s life with us. I’m raising my tea in a toast to him right now 🙂
Sami says
RIP POP♥ he would be so proud of you, kath!
mindy @ just a one girl revolution. says
Wonderful tribute to whom I certain was a wonderful man. You and your family are in my prayers. I lost my grandpa in December, so I can relate.
P.S. Your family looks like a fun bunch.
Erica says
What a beautiful way to remember your Pop. I’m so sorry for your loss, and have no doubt that he lives through you and will continue to live on through all these generations of wonderful family. I think the family and friends that gathered is the REAL legacy of his life…and a true testament to how much he is loved and how much he will be missed. You post brings back memories of when I lost my own Papa 14 years ago last week…I miss him so much. There is truly nothing like a grandparent; they love you unconditionally and extravagantly, and there is nothing like the secure feeling you get from a Papa (or a Nana!). Thank you for the memories you have brought back for me, and enjoy savoring the memories of Pop. <3
Liz @ lizrunsdc says
Such a beautiful post and an amazing way to celebrate someone’s life.
R @ Learning As I Chop says
100?! Wowza! He looks amazing
Runeatrepeat says
I’m really sorry for your loss, but love the way you celebrated his life. It all looked beautiful.
Cat says
Is your sister wearing two different flip flops in the pic of you all in the mall…? If so, that is AWESOME and SO something I would do….
Sarah B says
What a lovely way to honor and celebrate your Pop! I think you illustrated a very personal and difficult time very beautifully!
Liz C. says
What a beautiful way to celebrate life.
Suzanne says
Your post brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet, sweet tribute to your grandfather.
Monica says
Sounds like you have such a lovely, supportive family! Glad that you were all there for each other and were able to celebrate his life together!
Tanya @ Life with the Kummerow says
What a wonderful celebration of his life!
Courtney says
Beautiful post!! And I love your Uncle Mel. He is so cute!! And looks amazing to be 100. 100!! Wow!
TheHealthyApron says
What a great memorial service. When you got to the pics of the toast, I definitely got teary. Rest in peace “Pop”
Mom says
Thank you all for the kind words about losing my dad, Kath’s Pop. I think Kath got some of her energy from him!
Andrea says
Looks like it was a beautiful celebration of his life!
Maria B says
Kath,
You must have an amazing family, the celebration was very touching.
amethyst says
You have a lovely family, Kath… Your grandfather looked like a remarkable, wonderful man – he had a great innings, too! Best wishes, A 🙂
Angela (ohsheglows) says
Pop sounds like he was a great person and lived his life well. So nice that you could celebrate his life with family. I remember when you gave him the sweatshirt back when you blogged about it. So nice that it now has so much meaning to you in return. Sending you and your family positive thoughts.
[email protected] says
What amazing tributes to your pop! It is SO hard to lose a grandpa, but I found it so healing to celebrate such long, productive lives and it looks like that’s exactly what you and your family did.
Gree says
Wow Kath, that post made me totally teary, I am sure your Pop would have appreciated such a celebration of his life. You are truly fortunate to have such a close and lovely family, it’s truly wonderful that you all are able to come together at a time when you all need support.
Katherine says
What a wonderful way to celebrate his life. He sounds like he lived a long life full of blessings. I’m glad our family was able to get together and celebrate the man that he was.
Tamizn says
Ooooooo my aunt is american and I tried some butterfingers that she bought back and wow yummy I love them! x x
Kim Stagg says
Kath!
Thank you thank you thank you for writing this blog. My father passed away on the 10th from lung cancer—he was 66 years old. Reading this blog helped me to sit back and think about the special things my dad has accomplished. Your Pop seemed like an amazing man. Thank you for sharing…
Kim
Bianca @A Healthy Gourmet Lifestyle says
Reading this post reminded me of my grampa. He passed January of 2009, and his 70th birthday is coming up next week (a week from today actually). It’s amazing how beautiful life is, and that your family celebrated his life so beautifully in his memory.