Donna Rae [Bartlett] Woolf 1923-2012

My dear Granny passed away this morning around 10:15am.  She was in her home with those she loves.  She was a magnificent woman.  The word magnificent doesn't even do her justice.  She taught me a great many things in my life.  She taught me how to love deeply and fully and with all my being.  She taught me how to enjoy life no matter the trials that come your way.  She taught me to be happy and have fun and not to take life too seriously.  She had strength and courage and loved the Lord so much.  She was a fabulous woman.  Everyone that came in contact with her could feel her warmth and love.  I will write more about her heroic life later.

My parents called me as I was getting ready for church.  My phone was on silent so they called Thane.  He answered and they told him that they were headed down to Provo because most likely Granny wouldn't make it through the day.  Quickly I called them back to tell them Alice and I would be going down with them.  Hobbes and Thane left for church and I headed down to Provo with my parents.  We arrived around 10am.  I took my coat off, said Hello to those that were already there and headed to her bedroom.  A room I thought so special as a child since it was the only room in the house we never played in.  She was lying in bed and from the very end of the hallway you could already tell she was close to death.  She was pale and her breathing was labored.  As I got closer the room was very quiet.  My mom was holding her hand and stroking her arm.  Her mouth was wide open as she took in her labored breaths.  Even Alice realized that this moment was one of great importance and she watched quietly in my arms.  Melinda and Jim arrived not minutes after us.  Melinda hurried to the side of her mother, took her hand, rubbing her arm and my mom held her other hand.  She said out loud to her so she could hear "I love you Mommy, it's me Melinda.  I am here.  The people you love are here.  You are not alone."  Not seconds after getting this confirmation that she was surrounded by loved ones she took her last breath.  What a moment.  I could only imagine as we here on this earth were crying because we already missed her joy , her love, and her hugs so much; she was rejoicing in heaven at a much awaited reunion with the love of her life, her husband, William Woolf,  her two sons that passed away in their youth, David and Bart, as well as her grandson who also passed away in his youth.  What peace and comfort that brings to me.

I will forever miss her asking me 100 times if I was still hungry, and when answering no, bringing me something else to eat anyway.  I will miss playing whimsical games with her.  I will miss listening to her tell the story of Priscilla the cat as I lay on her blue carpeted living room floor.  I will miss hearing her tell me a thousand times how lucky she was to be married to my Grandpa, how absolutely in love she was with him.  I will miss her warm hugs.  I will miss her presence in my life and in the life of my children.

But I am grateful to know that I will see her again.  I am grateful for her righteous example in my life.  I am grateful for her written testimony of the gospel that will always teach and inspire me.

I love you so much Granny, I always will.