I’ve experienced a torrent of memories since my Mom’s recent passing. One knows this would happen but we are never really prepared. Images of celebrations, special places, and travels keep flashing before me. “Gigi” as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren truly loved being with all of her family. I’ve included treasured pictures in a celebration of life for “Gigi.”

She loved her boys! Scoma’s in Sausalito was one of her favorites.

                                                                                                                                                                     Dancing with Mom back in the day.

She adored family gatherings. I love the “face-off” between Vaughan and Logan.

Thanksgiving dinner in Dallas.

My Mom and Dad on the left with Aunt Shirley and Uncle Beebe at a restaurant in Orinda.

We had a big family gathering at her home in Pleasant Hill 5 years ago. My Nephew Steven (top) came from Edinburgh and my niece Suzanne (below) traveled from the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. They are the children of my sister Patty who married her pen pal and moved to Guernsey. Lisa and Stacy (pregnant with the twins) are in the middle.

2015 family party in Denver.

This is one of the sweetest pictures! Mom is joyfully watching the twins play with their Barbie Dream House last Christmas. What a trooper to fly from California independently at 98!

Mom (far right) loved growing up in Oakland and Alameda when she was young! She is playing dress-up with her friends with my great-grandfather Owen in the background.

Mom was known internationally for her waffles and buttermilk pancakes! She was also one of the most welcoming persons I’ve ever known. Two young travelers from England, brothers of Marla’s European tour guide in college, called her up and asked if they could come over for waffles. Mom didn’t know them but she checked with Marla and invited them over. That was who she was. The wonderful smells of bacon and pancakes on the griddle in her kitchen are among my most favorite memories!

Our favorite dinners when visiting Mom were ravioli from Genova’s! My brother Gary would heartily concur!

Mom always talked about searching for the “pot-of-gold” when she was young. This picture is particularly poignant with the rainbow in the distance.

Hawaii was her favorite place to visit.

She loved visiting with Gary’s children, Marlena and Kekoa in Hawaii, and Elan in California at the time.

It was always lively when she got together with her granddaughter Lisa!

A lovely memory of Mom and my Dad at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. Dad was a pilot in WWII.

We loved taking trips to Napa valley with Lea, Marla’s good friend since junior high school.

Lauren and Kate are sharing a story with Mom and Marla.

Samuel P. Taylor Redwood Park in Marin County was a family favorite. Redwood forests always made her happy.

A family luncheon with Mom’s niece Cindi, her daughter Gretchen, and sister Shirley.

Mom welcomed all to her home. Alex (we met when she was 12 in Cannes), wearing glasses on the left, stayed with Mom years ago and was fixed up by Marla with Chris (Son-in-law Ray’s best friend), now her husband. The rest is beautiful family history.

                                                    My beautiful Mom!

                                                                                                               A birthday celebration in the backyard of her home of 40 years in Pleasant Hill.

                                                              Lisa and Stacy with Mom at an Anchor Center for Blind Children event. She enjoyed attending charity happenings whenever she was in Denver.

                                                                                                                                     She always loved a good party and was wonderfully taken care of.

                                                                                                                                                                She loved all her family dearly!

                            Mom is with great-grandson Vaughan at Muir Woods. Each of our 4 grandsons took trips at age 9 to see Gigi, learn family history, and visit the Bay Area. 

                                                                                                                                                Reading with Owen one Denver summer. 

                                                                                                                                    Being near the sea was always her favorite! Her spirit will always be with us.

The Boys look at pictures of their “Gigi” at a Celebration of Life held at Gretchen and Paul’s home near Danville. Many stood up and told their personal “Gigi” stories through tears,…and laughter.

Thank you for letting me share this visual journey with you.