donna dejarnatt, 1924-2008

my grandmother was a pioneer, an activist, a free spirit, a fireball, a burst of creativity with hobbit hair. she was steadfast and unconditional in her love. she radiated wisdom and insisted on prudence. she had tact and patience. she taught everyone something.

i remember really, really looking forward to spending a week at her house in willow grove in the summers. i knew we'd do art projects all day and then walk to the beach and get prickly plants in our socks. we would make s'mores in the firepit by grandpa's tree and bats might fly around the house. we'd watch boats go by and wear old ratty clothes. i'd type on her typewriter and pretend to learn to sew. i opened random cabinets in her studio, upstairs, by picking through layers of cobwebs. she was confused why kraft macaroni and cheese contained no actual cheese. the only thing i didn't like was going to the grocery store in town with her, because everyone would know mrs. dejarnatt and stop to chat-- i wanted her all to myself.

she will be so sincerely, sorely missed by us all.