Mary Mertens

Mary Agnus Miller

Mary Christiansen

Mary Mertens

Grandma Mary, Nana, Cookie grandma

And of course all her alias she used when she was single going out dancing.

Since I was 10 years old Grandma Mary has been a constant our lives. We all see her as a young vibrant woman. Even at 99 years young her humor and quick wit kept us laughing.

When I think of Grandma --My heart is filled with many memories--- from fishing trips with Grandpa Chuck to staying with her after Dad had died when we were young.

Nana would remember funny things about the kids, who they dated, where they were at school, how they played in their games, she was always on top of the activities and on goings of the kids. Joybell Christmas's, dance recitals, to name a few.

Birthdays were always a reason to get together. We would have make an effort to see each other or send cards. The kids wanted me to share the memories of the fresh baked cookies always plentiful, soft and gooey. Bags full for them to eat and take home.

Nana would watch the kids every Wednesday when I played soccer at Under Hill. It became a tradition to spend a few hours at nana's eating cookies and have her other famous dish--- Crispy Fried Chicken Strips. There was always a pie or goodies to nibble on at NANA's.

Like clock work, Life would pause at 11 am for Young and the Restless. So another generation got to know Victor Newman, Nikki Reed, Jack and Asley Abbott. Holidays we always spend some time with nana. Christmas Eve become the tradition to meet for dinner, & snacks. We would all gather in her living room presents piled up to open when we all got off work. It was a complete mess but we did it every year. This lead to tradition of looking at the Christmas lights after grandmas so "Santa" could   be at our house to surprise the kids with his big bag and HO HO Merry Christmas. (Thanks RON)

Easter was another tradition we didn't miss with Nana. She would hunt along side the kids for that golden Egg filled with money. You had to be quick, or she would finds all the eggs. Just to see her out there filled our hearts with love.

Grandma loved Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team. I really hoped they would have won it last year for nana! We would cheer along side her, at her home, on the phone whenever possible. It's the one thing that brought us together. Grandma played a good hand of Rummy. Beating us and counting the cards until the end. Grandma loved to dance, Jerry, Rachelle and I would take her out to menopause alley places when we were in Highschool. It was always a good excuse to be out late as a teenager, to pick up nana. Nana always spoke her mind. You never had to worry if she liked something or somebody. She would let know. She loved all her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. I am fortunate to have my children grow up knowing the spit fire she was her entire life. Her dark black eyes and in the day her jet black hair, is what a remember about the vibrant woman growing up. The last few years (20 or so) her hair now silver gray with curls, those dark black eyes and her purple eyebrows, her radiant smile that just made you filled loved. She had a twinkle in her eye and when we would gather for a family picture and say "smile" she would belt out "SAY SEX"  we would all laugh and say Grandma!

Grandma Mary will be missed deeply by all of us. She was the best grandma