Yesterday my grandmother, Helen Lavender Bacon passed away at the age of 91. Grandma Pete (as we called her, Pete being my grandparent’s dog…doesn’t everyone name their grandparents after their grandparent’s pets?) was the kindest person I have ever met in my life. I have many fond memories of my grandma, including a spectacular trip I took with my father to visit her and my grandpa in Sacramento where I got to see my dad argue a case before the California Supreme Court and woke up during the return trip on a small airplane staring directly at Mt. Shasta, but mostly I will remember standing in line with my grandma. Standing in line, you say? Pft, what a silly memory! But what you have to understand is that if you would go out to a grocery store with my grandma, and were waiting in the checkout line with her, random strangers would, unprovoked, start up conversations with you. There was something in her smile, in her body language, which just invited people into conversation. As if you could just tell that she was going to be fun to talk to and always smile at your jokes and your ideas. Whenever I see kindness, a part of my thoughts will always remember my grandmother, and standing in line.
Here is my Grandma Pete, only a few years ago, riding on the wild side:
From the Sacramento Bee:
BACON, Helen Lavender
Passed away peacefully on July 18, 2007 at age 91 in Carmichael, CA. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Glenn Claire Bacon and beloved son, Larry George Bacon. She is survived by son, Glenn Charles Bacon; nieces, Doris Adams and Helen Jensen; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Helen was born on September 11, 1915 in Hyattville, WY. She was raised in Washington state and Arizona where she was married to Glenn and gave birth to her sons. She moved to the Sacramento area in 1947 and has been a resident here since. Over this time, she has been blessed to have a huge community of caring friends who have been most kind and giving in her aging process. A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church, 5839 Dewey Dr., Citrus Heights, Saturday July 21 at 1:00pm. Private interment will be at Sierra Hills East Lawn Memorial Park. Helen (Mom, Grandma) was a source of loving kindness for everyone she touched. In lieu of flowers, an appropriate remembrance would be an intentional act of kindness on her behalf.
Published in the Sacramento Bee on 7/19/2007.