Beatrice was our Nana. She was such a wonderful woman whom I loved very much. I couldn't have asked for a better grandmother, nor would I want to. I'll start from the beginning and try to do my best to introduce you all to my wonderful Nana, Beatrice.
Our Nana, Beatrice Olivene was born in Williamsport Pa. on Oct. 29, 1912 to Noah and Estherbelle Markle. She was 1 of 8 children born to this union. I don't have a lot of information on her younger years....I wish I did.
In 1928 she met and married the love of her life; George Charles Gillespie. He worked with the railroad when him and Nana first married. With this marriage, there were 5 beautiful children born to them: Evelyn May, Judith Ann, Ila Joan, Marlin George & Beverly Faith. My grandparents were truly happy raising their family and living the American dream, but in November of 1940 tragedy struck. My grandfather was out hunting when he was accidentally shot in the leg by a young hunter who was also hunting at the time, but did not see him. Because of not having good medical treatments back then; his leg had turned gangrene which eventually took his life after 3 days. When Grandpa George died; Nana was left raising 5 small children on her own. She was a widow for 12 years and now had to work different jobs to support her children.
She worked as a cleaning woman at the local YMCA & for the Williamsport Bank. In 1948, she was working in a shoe factory making .50 an hr. and eventually found work with the Sylvania Electric Co. filling flash bulbs with wire, by hand, with tweezers! My gosh!!
My Nana was never a woman of means. She didn't have a lot of money in her lifetime or anything materialistic; just the things she needed to get by, but her faith in God stood as a monument...as strong as a 200 year old oak tree. God ALWAYS saw her through the rough times. When she found her faith in God, it was when the one night my Nana was walking by a church, heard the music coming from inside; and the next week she was there. God touched her life and she was saved at 27 years old, serving God for more than 63 years. I have never known a more truer woman of God than my Nana.
In 1952, she remarried Ward Wurster. He also served the lord with a happy heart. I remember being young and sitting with him & Nana in church, and Poppy would always be the one to start a victory march. The music was playin, and when we would sing "When the Saints Go Marchin' In", he would get up, handkerchief in hand, and start waving it as he marched around the church; with others following! Me included! That was my poppy.
I also have a fond memory of when I was in kindergarten and her and poppy would come pick me up in their Corvair; oh how I loved riding in that car. He also drove a red VW; which I also remember. There are great memories of all the home movies my dad filmed of all the family; especially when everyone was in their younger years. All us kids were young, our parents still had their natural hair color, (mom, aunts, and yes my Nana in hair curlers out in public; but those were the good ol' days I long to have back.) It is so nice to remember such good memories of her and our Poppy. He was the only grandfather we knew. They always had black poodle dogs....Pierre was the one I remember. Our Poppy died in 1975, leaving her widowed until her own death in 2005.
Every time I smell the smell of Noxzema cold cream, I think of our Nan; and actually use it because of her. She used it faithfully, everyday. When you got around her, you would be able to smell the Noxzema on her skin. I loved it! She always smelled so good of that famous Noxzema scent, so clean and fresh. Mother and Aunt Judy always kept her in some of the classiest perfumes as she got older. She didn't like getting "spoiled" but in our eyes she was worth it.
She had 18 grandchildren, and I know we all have our own personal memories of her. As I got older, after moving quite often; we both wound up living in the same town and I got lucky when the apt. next to her became available, & we were next door neighbors! That was fun.
I could go on about our wonderful Nana. Just know she is very missed and loved by ALL her family. She is walking on streets of gold, talking with the saints, being with all her loved ones; but mostly sitting at Jesus' feet praising his name. I can picture it all Nana. We love and miss you.
Thank you to all who leave her flowers/tokens and messages, she would've loved them all. God bless you.
Beatrice was our Nana. She was such a wonderful woman whom I loved very much. I couldn't have asked for a better grandmother, nor would I want to. I'll start from the beginning and try to do my best to introduce you all to my wonderful Nana, Beatrice.
Our Nana, Beatrice Olivene was born in Williamsport Pa. on Oct. 29, 1912 to Noah and Estherbelle Markle. She was 1 of 8 children born to this union. I don't have a lot of information on her younger years....I wish I did.
In 1928 she met and married the love of her life; George Charles Gillespie. He worked with the railroad when him and Nana first married. With this marriage, there were 5 beautiful children born to them: Evelyn May, Judith Ann, Ila Joan, Marlin George & Beverly Faith. My grandparents were truly happy raising their family and living the American dream, but in November of 1940 tragedy struck. My grandfather was out hunting when he was accidentally shot in the leg by a young hunter who was also hunting at the time, but did not see him. Because of not having good medical treatments back then; his leg had turned gangrene which eventually took his life after 3 days. When Grandpa George died; Nana was left raising 5 small children on her own. She was a widow for 12 years and now had to work different jobs to support her children.
She worked as a cleaning woman at the local YMCA & for the Williamsport Bank. In 1948, she was working in a shoe factory making .50 an hr. and eventually found work with the Sylvania Electric Co. filling flash bulbs with wire, by hand, with tweezers! My gosh!!
My Nana was never a woman of means. She didn't have a lot of money in her lifetime or anything materialistic; just the things she needed to get by, but her faith in God stood as a monument...as strong as a 200 year old oak tree. God ALWAYS saw her through the rough times. When she found her faith in God, it was when the one night my Nana was walking by a church, heard the music coming from inside; and the next week she was there. God touched her life and she was saved at 27 years old, serving God for more than 63 years. I have never known a more truer woman of God than my Nana.
In 1952, she remarried Ward Wurster. He also served the lord with a happy heart. I remember being young and sitting with him & Nana in church, and Poppy would always be the one to start a victory march. The music was playin, and when we would sing "When the Saints Go Marchin' In", he would get up, handkerchief in hand, and start waving it as he marched around the church; with others following! Me included! That was my poppy.
I also have a fond memory of when I was in kindergarten and her and poppy would come pick me up in their Corvair; oh how I loved riding in that car. He also drove a red VW; which I also remember. There are great memories of all the home movies my dad filmed of all the family; especially when everyone was in their younger years. All us kids were young, our parents still had their natural hair color, (mom, aunts, and yes my Nana in hair curlers out in public; but those were the good ol' days I long to have back.) It is so nice to remember such good memories of her and our Poppy. He was the only grandfather we knew. They always had black poodle dogs....Pierre was the one I remember. Our Poppy died in 1975, leaving her widowed until her own death in 2005.
Every time I smell the smell of Noxzema cold cream, I think of our Nan; and actually use it because of her. She used it faithfully, everyday. When you got around her, you would be able to smell the Noxzema on her skin. I loved it! She always smelled so good of that famous Noxzema scent, so clean and fresh. Mother and Aunt Judy always kept her in some of the classiest perfumes as she got older. She didn't like getting "spoiled" but in our eyes she was worth it.
She had 18 grandchildren, and I know we all have our own personal memories of her. As I got older, after moving quite often; we both wound up living in the same town and I got lucky when the apt. next to her became available, & we were next door neighbors! That was fun.
I could go on about our wonderful Nana. Just know she is very missed and loved by ALL her family. She is walking on streets of gold, talking with the saints, being with all her loved ones; but mostly sitting at Jesus' feet praising his name. I can picture it all Nana. We love and miss you.
Thank you to all who leave her flowers/tokens and messages, she would've loved them all. God bless you.
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It is finished. He kept his promise. I am in his presence.
