Among the greatest gifts we treasure are the people that have shaped us, given us a heritage that lives on...

Transcription

1 At this time of year, our thoughts turn to gifts. Among the greatest gifts we treasure are the people that have shaped us, given us a heritage that lives on...

2 This plant is a portion of a plant that Gertie owned. Several members of the family have a piece of it. This particular one was placed on display in the church in Botwood on Sunday November 22 in honor of Gertrude and William Diamond Gertrude passed away on November 17, 1984 William passed away on November 25, 2000

3 November 17, 2009 marked the 25 th anniversary of Gertie's passing. That seems like a long time, but the memories we have of her and her love are still very strong. It seems like yesterday she was here, but yet it seems a lifetime ago... she will never be forgotten. Wife Mother Grandmother Great Grandmother Friend Mentor...now, Our Angel... Todd Blake: Our dear Nan, I can't say I remember a lot about her as I was only 10 when she left us but I do remember her bottled pears. I can taste them now, I've tried the canned pears but Nan's pears were the best. Anyone else remember them? She used to make them by the cases for me because I was such a picky eater when I was little (yes a Diamond picky eater, imagine that ;) Nan, we miss you! Gail Rowsell: Not only do I remember the bottled pears, every time I went to visit (which was almost every day) she always had a slice of cheese for me, she always told me if she seen a slice of cheese walking up the road it would be me!! Sure wish I could still visit every day!!! Marilyn MacQueen: I'd love to have one of her apple pies. They were huge and the crust so thick...it was beyond description...i think the common ingredient in all of it was love...being the oldest grandchild I have many vivid memories of her. Her and I always looked for buttercup fields when we'd go for drives, etc. I also remember going to King s Restaurant for blueberry ice cream with her and Pop. There are so many things...i could write a book. She was wonderful, still miss her... Andrea Gill-Callahan: Wow what a blessing. I cannot believe it's been 25 years. So not fair. Just imagine how blessed she would feel with all of her granddaughter's (grandson's too but I think the girls would have a special place in heart). We are all better people because she has touched our lives in some way. Dora Diamond Manuel Fudge: It means so much that her grandchildren still love her so much...we all have our own special memories of her for sure!!!! Joanne Burt: She passed on her green thumb to me. I also remember the cheese and crackers out on pops work bench. Nan also had to pick up for me more than once from those boys!!!!!!!! She has a special place in my heart.

4 Marlene Blake Sobota: Boooohoooooo, is all I can say! What a woman! I don't think anyone could really explain all of her talents and the love she had for her family... BOOOHOOOOO again! Lynette Diamond Blake: I miss her so much, this time of the year she would come to my house, she would say if you want to do some baking I will wash the dishes. She was so cute, she knew she would go home with a dozen trays of cookies. I wish she was here to do that again...love you Mom. Krista Ralph: This morning I attended a ladies Bible study and the topic was having a "quiet and gentle spirit". When asked to give an example of a woman with those characteristics - the answer was easy - Nan Diamond. I was young when she passed away so I have some memories of her myself but most of what I know of her is what I've been told about her loving ways. I was so pleased to be able to share about her with the ladies. Brian Manuel: She was a very Meek lady, but definitely not weak!!!!!! Barbie Gill Peyton: The best memory I have of Nan is when her & Pop used to babysit us on Saturday nights. The three of us would sit on the living room floor and they would throw change to us. I love & miss them so much...i wish they could have been around longer... Barbara Diamond Gill: What else is left to say other than she was the best "MOTHER" in the world!! How she enjoyed for her and I to go shopping together in Grand Falls. I remember the first time I drove to Grand Falls in the dark after I got my license, I came down over the overpass, missed the Botwood turn off, and drove up through Bishop's Falls. Well, she got a kick out of that!! I can hardly see for tears at this point! I loved her so much!! John Diamond: She was one special women. After twenty- five years she has been passed away, I can still see her in my mind: I would be out in my garden doing something and she would come down through the garden with some cookies and juice for me. I will never forget it. Also the first time I went away from home to work, she packed my suitcase for me.when I got to my boarding house in Corner Brook, I opened my case and the first thing I saw was my Bible her & Dad gave me for Christmas. It did something for me. I really respected her, and her love for God. MOM you were one of the Best women in the world. When I was living home, a very small boy I would go down to Adams' store and buy one stick of gum, I'd come home and tear it in two and give her half of it. Karla Pittman: Being the youngest grand-child, I was only 3 when Nan Diamond passed away. I think most of the memories are actually the rest of the families' memories that have been poured in to me over the years, and pictures. Pop always spoke of Nan with such respect and love that's what always gave me the best description of Nan. I do remember however, going out in the garden and cutting roses and lilacs off her tree and bringing them inside to put on her kitchen table, what a beautiful smell it would send through the house! I also remember seeing Nan on the front porch waiting for us to pull in the driveway when we'd come home for vacation. Betty Diamond Chaulk: Yesterdays birthday was hard because of 25 years since she passed, and on my birthday. I sat in her rocking chair, and let the tears flow. I had decided to put flowers in the church, in memory of her, from all of us, and was going to do it today. After talking to Barb, we decided to put her flower instead. How lovely... I remember all the times coming home to visit, and how she loved the boys, and Reg so much. And when she visited she would always make cookies, cakes, etc., for us, even in 80 degree temperatures. What a Lady, Mom, and Nanny. What shoes to fill, for sure. Bill Diamond Jr: Since I was last to be born, I will be the last to comment, I have so many good memories. At my first job I was off on Monday, Dad was working so after Mom prepared his lunch myself and Mom would go for a drive, she loved it!!! In earlier years I can remember Mom usually took a nap in the afternoon, she would lie on the chesterfield and I was small enough that I could coil up in the chesterfield chair. Mom was a great woman, and role model. She portrayed a positive attitude in the face of a life that had many struggles with sickness and death of some of her children. Sometimes I wish she could have had more opportunities to be her unique person, complete with special characteristics. PS: I still chuckle when I remember the night their bed fell down, and Dad was knocking on our bedroom door (in his long johns), sheepishly requesting help!!! I followed him through the kitchen where I passed Mom sitting in her rocking chair with her "duster" wrapped around her. I proceeded to inquire as to the facts surrounding the demise of the bed!! Amidst her giggles she ordered me to be quiet and go help your father!!! Ha ha!!

5 This poem was submitted by Dora Diamond Manuel Fudge in honor of her Mother, Gertrude Diamond. Tribute to Gerald Diamond By grandson Adam Diamond With your hand up high The wind blows through the night as you pass away And time goes on But the memories of you within our hearts shall stay strong You came back but things are different now It's not the same as before, things are different now But still the same, you're still the same And I know that somehow, we'll make it through together The wind blows through the night as you pass away And time goes on But the memories of you within our hearts shall stay strong The moon shines bright and with the coming of night you left with the day Tears have fallen for the memories of how you lived Ever so brave and strong, fallen and redeemed you moved on So this is why I say The wind blows through the night as you pass away And time goes on But the memories of you within our hearts shall stay strong Forevermore you are remembered

6 Memories of A loving Family is a Precious Gift Frosted Lights in the window.. Lots of decorations everywhere... A beautiful traditional tree, complete with hand made decorations any of the kids had made and given to her (many times they were mine). Cookies, cookies, and more cookies.especially pineapple squares and date squares Gifts under the tree weeks before to drive you insane with anticipation Gifts under the tree for herself (not because she was greedy, but because she just loved seeing things wrapped up) A great big warm welcome for everyone to come in, feel at home, fill your belly- and then some.. All of this pomp and pageantry to celebrate a holiday.but yet never allowing the real meaning of the season to be lost in it Who am I talking about? If you haven t figured it out yet, it is my dearly departed Aunt Marie (Marie Diamond Pope) Aunt Marie and Uncle Ron both always made Christmas special and there was always a warm welcome from both Marilyn Manuel MacQueen

7 Last, but certainly not least He was a simple man, in that he enjoyed any occasion that brought people together for a cup of tea and a cookie or two Not to mention the church was open more during Christmas.. Simple gifts pleased him Miss you Dad Merry Christmas in Heaven To all our Diamonds In The Sky You were all gifts to your family and this world. Some might wonder what paying tribute to a loved one has to do with Christmas and why it found its way into a Christmas Newsletter. The reason is this: the love and heritage that was left to this Family was only possible because of that first Christmas. Without that, we wouldn't know true love.. Merry Christmas to all!! Be safe and God Bless!!