It was a small fall, just a little trip over something in the way, seemingly ineffective to anyone under the age of 80, I would guess. But it didn't go over so well with her body, and she started to quickly, yet progressively become very sick. Grandma Cobbley has had a bad shoulder for awhile now, and when she fell, she hurt her shoulder, her hip, the side of her face, and got a big fat lip. That day, the Hospice center that we have contacted to help her out in her old age, brought in a special bed for her to stay in, since she was quickly losing the majority of her mobility.
Grandma had been getting worse each day, eating less and less. Whether it was a few spoonfuls of chicken broth or a couple swallows of milk, she wasn't getting the nutrients she needed. Especially when her eating habits turned into small swallows of water, and a few ice chips each day.
She has been legally blind for years, which was very frustrating for her, especially when her first great-great grandson, my cousin's baby, was born (who is now 2). The last week, while Grandma had been sick, she began to be very incoherant, and could hardly talk. She would mumble and moan, if she could muster up the energy, but it was left up to us to decode what she was trying to tell us.
On Sunday the 12th, we moved Grandma to a rehabilitation center closer to her daughter (My grandma) where they could take better care of her. The nurses there are specially trained to work with people in their last few days.
Each day, grandma got worse and worse. Talking less, eating less, sleeping much, much more.
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 (Grandma's 1/2 birthday, 90 1/2 years old) at approximately 7:28a.m., she passed away. Just 3 minutes before my Grandma, her daughter, arrived.
She is easily one of the most amazing women I have ever known. So strong and humble. She was always willing to help others out. She quilted tons of quilts, starting in 1938, when she was just 15. And has tied over 200 quilts for humanitarian aid, almost all of those being tied after she was announced legally blind.
She made the best milkshakes in the world, taught me how to crochet, and would listen and talk to you for days on end. She would give you a $5 bill every time you went over for gas money, because of the ridiculous gas prices. She always had cookies and chocolate for others, lined on her counter by the door with coupons and other treats for her visitors to take as they were on their way home. She was the root of all Christmas tradition, and the staple in our family, holding us together strong, and when she left us, it helped bring us even closer.
She lived a full, amazing life, and will be dearly missed by her family; children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Not to mention her neighbors and friends.
I love you Grandma LaVee Peterson Peck Cobbley!
Her funeral and viewing and luncheon are this Sunday and Monday. I am accompanying my sister on the piano, while she sings "Beyond the Sunset" at the funeral on Monday morning.
Pleast keep our family in your prayers.
This picture was taken 6 months ago, on March 16th on Grandma Cobbley's 90th birthday. Sitting with her is my Grandma Houston. We made her 90 cupcakes to pass out to her friends and visitors as they came to wish her a Happy Birthday. It's amazing the difference 6 months can make.
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