We lost our sweet Mer on Friday.
Her handwriting, her turquoise jewelry, her love for a cheeseburger, her sneaky one-liners that made everyone in the room cry from laughter, her organizational skills, her love for animals, her advice, her routines, her Chicago Cubs, her stories from her childhood, her STRONG opinions about who I was dating when I was single, her deep love and devotion to her family and her need for a pumpkin pie from Costco each year…
She was so special, and I truly can’t express adequately how grateful I am for her.
She has 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. You would never know how many people she had to keep track of because she made each of us feel like we were the most special.
She gave us so many incredible memories.
The opportunity I had to spend with her during her final days and once she passed will be an experience I will never forget.
I was beyond spoiled to live just 15 minutes away.
I’m heartbroken my kiddos won’t get more time with her.
And I’m aching over the loss of being able to pop over and tell her about every detail in our lives.
I wish I knew exactly how many meals we shared together at restaurants.
I am so grateful she made it to 94, but goodness, I wish we got a few more.
And now I believe she is with my Grandad, her daughter and allllll of the dogs she had throughout her life.
We miss you so much already, Mer. You being gone has left many broken hearts.
91 comments
Lindsey
So very sorry for your loss
Pam
I am so very sorry for your loss. She sounded like such a wonderful gift to all that knew her. I would love to hear how she got to be called “Mer”. Not sure if it was short for something or an enduring name she came to. Peace to your heart and whole family ❤️
Cheryl Acevedo
My deepest condolences go out to you and your family at this difficult, sad time! 🙏🏼❤️ What a cutie she was!!
Amy
I’m so sorry for your loss. I felt like we all got to know Mer through your posts and she was extraordinary. I hope your memories of her bring you and your family comfort at this time. Sending lots of love your way.
emily l
Oh Janae, I am so sorry! It sounds like your Mer was such an incredibly kind and loving woman. My heart hurts for all of you who loved her so much and were so lucky to be loved by her. Please know that y’all ae in my prayers!
Taylor
Grandmas are so, so special. I am so sorry for your loss. <3
Amanda
I am so sorry to hear the news Janae. Much love to you and your family. She seemed like she lived an amazing life with so many loved ones, what a gift.
Jessica
What a sweet tribute, so sorry for your loss. My grandpa also made it to 94 and we all wish we had a few more years with him, it never is enough, is it? Thinking of you and your family!
Angie
May God bring you peace and comfort in your time of loss.
Katrina
I’m so sorry Janae as I’ve been reading for years and loved hearing about Mer and your visits with her. I know she’ll be missed by many and be grateful for all the years and time you got to spend with her. Hugs to you and your family. XOXO
Andi
I’m so sorry for your loss 🤍. What an absolute treasure, your Mer. My condolences to you and your family.
Jennie
I’m sorry for your loss, Janae. I hope your wonderful memories will bring you and your family some small comfort during this time.
Kristin
What a sweet tribute to an amazing woman. Sending you and your family love.
Courtney
No words are sufficient… I hope you have time and space to mourn your loss and are surrounded by love. Mer lives on in the kindness you show others. What a special gift to have had her in your life, and for her to have known your love as well. Sending you a warm, strong hug and lots of love.
Ashlea
So sorry for your loss. It’s never easy. Mer seems like such a gem. May all the good memories you have together bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Maureen
Janae, I’m so sorry for you and your families loss. I loved getting to hear about Mer through your posts over the years. Sending you love and prayers
Donna Mason
Janae I am sending you and your entire family my deepest condolences. I have loved watching her here on the blog over the years and I know how much you truly love and adore her. She sounds like she was an absolutely amazing person and loved by so many. She lived a truly beautiful life.
Tara
I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was loved hard by so many people.
Michelle
I’m so very sorry for your loss!
Joy
Janae,
I’m so, so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful post about your wonderful Mer. You can feel the love you have for her through your words. My heart and thoughts are with you.
Brooke
I am so sorry for your loss! Mer sounds like an amazing women and i’m beyond grateful that you were able to spend her last days together. Sending love
Mariah
I’m so sorry for your loss 😢
Elymar
So sorry for your loss. A big hug to you and your family. so glad you got to spend time with her before she passed.
Jennifer
rest in peace to your sweet Mer. I am a Cubs fan and I live within walking distance of Wrigley Field- I’ll send a good thought Mer’s way when I walk by later today.
Sending good thoughts to your family, and I hope memories of her bring you comfort.
Jane
Sending you and your family so much love. I’ve been a reader for a long time and have always thought how wonderful your relationship was with your sweet Mer.
Erin
I’m so sorry for your loss 😞 my grandma passed away 8 years ago today and I’m still crying today and missing her. Grandmas are so special and leave a permanent imprint on our heart. Sending you so much love!
Margie
Oh Janae, I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family as you grieve. What a blessing that you got to be with Mer in her final days.
Wendy
I am so very sorry for your loss Janae. But she is at peace. Sending you all lots of love and hugs.
Diane
May peace and comfort be with you and your family. Music has always given me strength no matter what I’m going through. When my mom passed, I played the song “Scars in Heaven” by Casting Crowns over and over. I still listen to it and it’s been two years. Thinking of you today.
Carol
Such lovely words.
I am so sorry for your loss
R
May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Take good care ❤️
Nikki
What a beautiful post dedicated to Mer. I’m so sorry for you loss, Janae.
Brandy H.
Oh Janae, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your Mer seemed like such a wonderful person. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Elizabeth
She sounds like a wonderful person. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Jackie J.
I am so sorry for y our loss. This post is a beautiful snapshot of a beautiful life, well lived. Sending love.
Isla
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of love to you and your family <3
John
Mer sounds like an awesome person! Sorry for your loss Janae and family.
Eula
I am so sorry for your loss! I love how your shared her with us. Take care.
Kim N
Mer was truly the greatest! Your relationship with her was special and was evident in your blogs over the years! Sending love and prayers your way as you and your family celebrate her life and all her wonderful memories.
Jenny
Holding you and your family up in prayer today, Janae. May all of these precious memories bring peace and comfort as you grieve her loss.
Mindy
Those grandmas are something special. I am so sorry and I know exactly what you mean about wishing you got a few more years…
You family will continue to be in my thoughts.
Mollie
I’m so sorry Janae. I love how close you were and I can’t even imagine how special it was for her that you got to spend so much time together. Wishing you and your family peace today. ❤️❤️
WendyMI
Janae, I am so very sorry for your loss, but so very happy for the memories that you share together. May they bring you a lifetime of smiles and continued warm advice.
My condolences to your family.
Jenny B
Oh Janae, I’m so sorry. Love to you and to your family.
Brittany
She sounds like such an amazing woman! Praying for peace and comfort for you & your family, Janae.
Kate
So very sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.
Stephanie
I know what a light she was able to shine in your life, how much she filled you (fills you!) with light. I am so sorry for your loss.
Karin
So sorry for your loss. What a blessing to have had the time and memories with Mer. It looks like she lived a good life and made a profound impact on you! Sending hugs.
Shelby
I’m so sorry for your loss. Grandmothers are such special souls. Thinking of you and sending hugs!
Kristine
I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss Janae. Sending love and hugs and thinking of you. And sending love from River too.
Renae
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your Mer with us.
Colleen
Such a wonderful tribute. You were lucky to have each other. Very sorry for your loss.
Annemarie
Aw, Janae. Please accept my sincere condolences. I think we all know how much you loved and cherished Mer. She will be in your heart forever and will be running those races alongside you ♥️
Molly S
Sorry for you loss. I’m happy that you had something so amazing though to miss so much!
I think that you may feel better if you were to share her thoughts on your failed boyfriends. hahahaha
Congrats to Mer for living a long and beautiful life.
Sarah
Biggest of hugs and lots of prayers to you and your family, Janae!!
Marcie
So sorry for your loss. Grandmas are some of the most special people and it’s hard to let them go.
Baili
So very sorry for your loss, sounds like an incredible woman, who had a life well lived. Many prayers for you and your family in the coming days and weeks. If I see you at the race on Saturday, I’ll be bringing you a big hug!
Amy S
Janae, thank you for sharing Mer with us. Your family will be in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Jen
I’m so sorry for your loss. There are so many treasures out there that we get to call grandparents, and it sounds like she was one.
Catie
Sending you and your family hugs this week, Janae. It never feels like enough time even when they’ve lived a long and full life. I hope you’re taking time to be still and share memories as you grieve <3
Lindsay
What a lovely tribute to an amazing woman. I’m so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers!
Corrinne
So sorry for your loss, Mer sounds like an extraordinary woman. Hugs to all of your family.
KFA
Thinking of you and your family. What a special tribute to an important person in your life.
Kathy McElhaney
I’m so sorry for you loss, Janae.
Alison
I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma two years ago at age 92. Mer sounds like such a special lady. Sending you all the love and light to you and your family in this difficult time.
Liz
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a touching tribute to her.
Kristen
So deeply sorry for your loss. <3
Alyssa W
Sending lots of hugs your way. <3 I'm sorry you lost such a beautiful person. How amazing to spend so much quality time together over the years, those memories will last forever. Take care of yourself. And you know she'll be running right with you in those upcoming marathons!
Deidre
So sorry for your loss. You’re family is blessed to have had so many years with her. May her memory be eternal
Heather
I am so sorry for your loss. This post was a beautiful tribute to your beloved grandmother.
Stephani Penn
What a beautiful life and legacy! Praying to the One who can bring comfort to you and your family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Marissa
What an incredible legacy Mer has left. Praying for peace to cover your family.
Angela
She set such a good example of how to be a positive presence in the lives of those around her. My condolences to you and your family.
kelly
Blessings to you all. Thank you for sharing Mer with us-she always was a bright spot and it was evident how special she is. I loved all the photos you have shared with us. May she live on in fond memories.
Michelle
I’m sorry for your loss.
Jacinta
Mer sounds like a treasure. You all were so so lucky to have simulcast a special person in your lives. I hope her reunion with her husband and daughter were joyous and bring you all just a bit of comfort.
Corey
So sorry to hear this, Janae.
Kara
What a beautiful tribute to your Mer. So glad you were able to spend time with her during her last moments here on Earth. She sounds like one special lady. I had to smile when you were describing her because we have a lot in common! Sending hugs to your family.
Alli
So sorry for your loss…lots of prayers for your family.
Teresa
My prayers are with you and your family. May the peace and love of Mer be forever in your hearts.
Renee
I am so very sorry for your loss, she sounds like an amazing person who you loved so much.
Mary Ellen
I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Mer. I am praying for you and your family.
Corey
Hi Janae,
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet Mer’s passing. She sounds like an incredible woman who lived an amazing life surrounded by those who loved her the most. Thanks for sharing her with us and her legacy will live on in you and all her children, grandchildren and her many, many great grandchildren. I know she was proud of you and it’s an honor that you were with her in her last few days and hours.
Kelly
I’m so sorry Janae. What a beautiful post about an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing it with all of us and take care.
Mary
I’m sorry 😞 for your loss but what sweet memories you hold of her. My grandma lives 10 hours away, I’m so glad you had her close especially during the end.
Jaci
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
Connie M
Janae,
My heart goes out to you and all of your family!
Mer sounds like the perfect Grandma!
So wonderful to have the beautiful memories of her… you are very blessed to have such a close knit family.
Take care of your soul🙏🏻 Connie M
She’s happy… she is with the love of her life ❣️
Katie A
There’s nothing as special as a close relationship with a grandparent. 15 minutes away sounds amazing, but I bet it will also make the loss extra tough since you are so used to seeing her all the time. What a legacy she left with all of the children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren!! Love & prayers for your family.
Stacey
I’m so sorry, Janae and family. Take comfort in your memories of Mer during this time. She seems like she was the sweetest lady.
Maureen
Eloquently said!! I’m so sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my prayers!
Julie
I’m so sorry for your loss Janae. She truly sounds like a special woman. It’s wonderful that you lived so close and got to spend so much time with her. I still miss my grandma who passed away 20 years ago. She was one of my best friends.