My Grandmother

Today is my Grandmother's birthday. She would have been 105 years old. Her name was Myrtle Hennesy. She was my father's mother. She was an extraordinary woman. She was approx 5 ft 10 inches tall. She was a lovely woman and had a huge impact on my life. She passed away over 20 years ago, but I still think of her often and miss her. She was born on April 13, 1902 in rural Louisiana. Her maiden name was Roy and was shortened from Royale. Her parents moved here from France. She grew up speaking French before she learned English. She taught Jeff and I a little French saying that got us in trouble if we repeated it! She was so funny. They moved to New Orleans later. She often told of dancing all night on a party boat off the coast of New Orleans. She met my Grandfather, Levy around 1920 I beieve and was married on New Year's Eve. My Grandfather was a pharmaceautical (sp?) salesman and moved the family to Houston in approx 1941 I believe. My Grandfather passed away in his early 40's leaving my Grandmother to raise 2 boys by herself. The only thing she knew how to do was sew. She got a job as a seamstress at a department store at Gulfgate Mall here in Houston. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and her family. I remember spending the night at her apartment and we would have coffee, which was a huge treat for a child........coffee was such a "grown up" drink, you know. She would teach me to paint. She sat on the floor and played jax with me. She and I were best friends and I really miss her. She died way before I had my children and I really wish she could have seen them. I have some wonderful things of hers to remember her by. I have her rocking chair, her wedding rings and her sewing machine and her funny little saying in French that I cannot repeat. ...............Happy Birthday, Mamaw!