My name is Leanne and I am honored to represent Mary Stark’s grandchildren and great grandchildren as we share some of our favorite things about our precious grandmother. As I begin to describe her, a quote from Shakespeare comes to mind… “Though she be but little, she be fierce!” I think you’ll agree that my Grandma was the tiniest, but strongest woman around. And even if she wasn’t physically able, in her mind she truly believed that she could lift it, carry it, move it, haul it.
My husband Nathan and my brother Scott recall a time at the cabin when she insisted SHE carry the 90 pound packages of rolled roofing up a ladder instead of them. Soon everyone was laughing at the ridiculousness of it. But as I look back, she really thought she could carry those rolled roofing packages! Molly remembers Grandma lifting sod out of the back of a truck like a body builder. My Grandma had such a heart for taking on other people’s burden. Nicole calls Grandma a strong and steadfast woman. “Though she be but little, she be fierce!”
She helped me personally plant gardens and trees. She helped paint and stain as we were building new homes. She stayed with me for days at a time and helped me with MY babies, folding laundry, doing our mending, washing dishes and cooking. She was a worker! Dan remembers her coming over for a visit while he was recovering from an accident. And before he knew it, she was in the backyard raking leaves. Never afraid to get dirty or tackle a project. In fact, that was where she might have been the most content: Doing things for other people. Nicole says, “She was always up and getting people drinks, tending to the food, doing the dishes, and bringing napkins to people. When someone would tell her to relax and sit down, she would laugh and sit down with her hands in her lap for a few minutes and then up she went again: Busying herself and taking care of people. It must have been those years as a nurse.” “Though she be but little, she be fierce!”
As Christmas time approached each year, you’d find my Grandma feverishly bent over her sewing machine with the little light on. I can still hear her machine running like a locomotive… Scott and Janet remember fondly the pajamas, fleece mittens and Zubaz she would make for us all as gifts. She made Easter dresses, flower girl dresses, prom dresses, and bridesmaid dresses for us girls. My Grandma fed armies of people, baked near 1,000 cakes, as well as countless cookies, pies and desserts. She made quilts for each one of us too. And who could forget her handmade Cabbage patch dolls? I’d like to conduct an experiment… Raise your hand if my Grandma has ever made you something… Remarkable isn’t it? She was a giver. Molly remembers a beautiful story of Grandma’s giving spirit. “When Grandma was working at Time for Me, she was getting ready to leave and I commented on how cute her fleece jacket was. And she said, “Oh Molly, you should keep it!” Right then and there, she gave me the jacket- right off her back.
When it came to feeding us all, she was persistent, wasn’t she? My cousin Dan said, “Whether you were hungry or not, when you went to Grandma’s house, you’d better plan on eating a grilled cheese and a milkshake- Or you wouldn’t hear the end of it!” David looked forward to an evening bowl of popcorn which was ritual at her house along with her little glass of beer. Brian adds, “No one left grandma's house hungry. Upon arrival, the first question out of grandma was always "are you hungry? Can I make you something?" No use in refusing, she would make it anyways saying "oh honey just eat what you can". Grandma was a hard person to say no to, that’s for sure. “Though she be but little, she be fierce!”
Yes, our Grandma could be stubborn and strong willed. But she did have a weakness. It was her grandchildren. Her favorite quote was “You can’t spoil grandchildren, you can only spoil vegetables.” Janet remembers being offered ice cream, cake, root beer floats and candy- even if we didn’t finish supper. And she was generous. I remember me, Molly and Janet being her waitresses during a large family gathering and delivering cake to people in the living room. Of COURSE Grandma paid us money afterwards for our “hard work.”
When I was 5, my Grandma took me to get my Kindergarten shots. Well, you know that white paper they use to cover the exam table? I basically shredded it from all my thrashing. It took several nurses to hold me down as I kicked and screamed in fear from getting shots. When they were done and my tears were dried I took my Grandma’s hand, put on the charm and said, “Grandma, since I was so good, can we go to Children’s Palace and get a new toy?” “Oh yes, of course we can!” She said. (In case you’re wondering, I got a new Snoopy Snow Cone machine.)
Many of us grandchildren love to remember Grandma at her organ and later, her piano. Nicole says, “Whenever I would go over to her house, I would linger near the piano and tentatively touch the keys. Grandma would give her smirk and tell me to sit down and scoot over. She taught me a few duets and we’d sit side by side smiling and laughing. No matter how many times I would mess up, she would smile and tell me how well it sounded.”
Janet says, “Her house was the glue that held so many Stark family memories.” And she willingly opened her home and heart to all: whether you were a “Stark” or not. Friends, neighbors, and significant others quickly became like family to Grandma. Julie remembers, “She always greeted you with a hug, even if it was your first time meeting her.”
All of us looked forward to Grandma’s planned Easter egg hunts, the 4th of July picnics, backyard parties, and her huge Thanksgiving feasts.
And then of course there was Christmas Eve. As a kid, Grandma made it magical. After a filling dinner, the grandchildren would perform some type of Christmas play and sing carols. I think my Grandma looked forward to this part the most. Pride and joy were written all over her face as us kids sang and performed. Then, Santa Claus would call on the phone. (Santa was helpful like that, giving Grandma a heads up.) Most of the family would race up the steps to the attic and pretend to sleep. Grandma stayed down to “help” Santa. Meanwhile we’d be snuggled in the beds upstairs, giggling and listening intently for Santa’s voice. The sound of jingle bells entered the home and we knew, “Santa’s here!” He would talk about each one of us as he brought in the gifts, all the while Gram and an Uncle or two would help. Then the door would slam and we knew it was safe to rush down the stairs and see what he’d delivered. I remember the room being absolutely FULL of presents. Gram would have them all pre-sorted for each grandchild. She’d be wearing her red Santa hat and then begin delivering envelopes for us all. She absolutely delighted in seeing us receive.
The love that she held for each one of us grandchildren and great grandchildren is immeasurable. And for one so tiny, her heart was the biggest. We’ll always think of our Grandma as one of the strongest women we know. Though she be but little, she be fierce: in GENEROSITY, WORRY, WORK and LOVE.