Beautiful Tribute

Lois Jean Kiddle Young "The Quilt Lady"
Lois Young, 80, after having a wonderful 24th of July, passed away early Saturday, July 25th at home with her family, due to incidents of life, her age and Parkin-son's disease.Lois Jean Kiddle was born March 21, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the youngest of seven children of Adelbert and Bertha Kiddle. She graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City. She was a member of the LDS Church, serving in various callings. She affectionately became known as the "Quilt Lady" of her ward, because of the many quilts she coordinated for the ladies to make and donate to the Youth Village. Lois was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and friend. She enjoyed crocheting, flowers and gardening. When newly married, she won her first cash prize of $5 and a job offer, in a contest with ZCMI for sewing men's slacks. Mother made all her own clothes, and many of her children's clothes. Lois started her professional life as a bookkeeper for Albuquerque Chemical in Albq., NM and State Brass Foundry in Salt Lake City, UT. She worked 25 years for Grand Central Department Store, until they closed. At that time, she was the Corporate Assistant Vice President in charge of Budgeting - the highest position held by a woman. She retired from Gubler and Carter Accounting Firm. Lois was an active member of American Business Women's Association (ABWA) for over 25 years. She won the National District 6 Vice President position and traveled throughout the western states, encouraging and supporting women in business. Lois' daughter, Christine, was deaf and blind. Lois was instrumental in working with professionals, special education and parents, to organize the Exceptional Child PTA in Utah. Lois married Joe Roestenburg and together had four children, later divorced. She married Joseph T. Yoakum and had two children, later divorced. In 1989, Lois married Kenneth Young, her "Knight in Shining Armor." Together they shared 17 wonderful years with family and friends, traveling, the theater, card games and many memories, prior to Ken's death in 2006. Lois is survived by her children and extended family, Robert K. Roestenburg, Steven C. (Ruby) Roestenburg, Jololene (Richard) Allan, Garon (Rosalind) Yoakum, the Young family and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; her brother, Myron Kiddle. Preceded in death by her children: Joseph M. Roestenburg, Christine Roestenburg and granddaughter, Julie K. Roestenburg. Lois survived three husbands prior to her journey's end in this life. Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, 12:00 noon at the Holladay 10th Ward, 4601 S. 2565 East. Family and friends may call on Fri. from 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and on Saturday at the Church from 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Grandma Lois

I'm sad to report that my sweet Grandma Lois passed away on July 25th. While we are never ready to see our loved ones pass from this life, we know she was ready. She had Parkinson's disease and had slowly progressed over the last few years, especially since her husband died in 2006. She had been living with my mom and dad for the last year. She passed in her sleep, without pain or injury, just like she wanted and I'm grateful that she is comfortable now and reunited with family.

We were in Washington DC with my parents and brother when she died, receiving the call at 4:30am. It certainly changed the direction of the trip but I will always remember the special and tender time we had as a family together in the hotel room early that morning.

We had a trip planned home in just a few short weeks, how I wish we could have seen her one last time but are grateful to have spent Thanksgiving with her and share lots of phone calls. When we were first married we lived a short 5 minute walk from her home and enjoyed visits together, strawberry shakes, and I often played her personal nurse whether it be checking her blood pressure or administering eye drops after surgery. She was so funny about those too, I would have to nearly pry her eyes open because she was so jumpy, we enjoyed laughing together about that.

It's 1:45 in the morning and I'm beginning to ramble but I have to post this detail since you all know how I feel about animals. My uncle who was there with my grandma said he got up because he heard all 3 of my parents dogs whimpering at her door. When he went in to check on her, she had passed away. If you recall, we had a special experience with my Grandma Ann's bird as well when she passed away.

I was hoping to never lose any grandparents and have now lost both grandma's in 10 months. I'm going to have to have a discussion with Heavenly Father someday because I don't think anyone should have to be without their grandmas (or grandpas) :) Maybe we can work something out...
Love you Grandma!

I dare you not to cry

So I'm not the biggest fan of forwarded emails but this one really got to me and touched my heart. I just have to share it with all of you and hopefully brighten your day. Better get your kleenex now!


Our 14 year old dog, Abbey died last month.

The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying that when Abbey got to heaven, God wouldn't recognize her, and could we send him a letter? I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God:

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.

I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her..

You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith


We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven...

Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps on the front of the envelope to get the letter all the way to Heaven. That afternoon, I drove Meredith to the Post office and watched her drop it in a letter box.. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.

I told her that I was certain He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed,

'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope..

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith:

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away...

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by...

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.

What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


Betcha might have a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye after reading this.
It's nice to know that there are still a few nice people in this crazy world we live in.

4th of July

Well it's hard to believe that the 4th of July has already come and gone but we had a good one. This was yet another bitter-sweet holiday for me because my grandparents always had big family parties on the holidays and the 4th of July was no exception. So to honor my Grandma who I miss so much we had a little get together of our own. It was fun to decorate and think of her and the fun times we had.
We enjoyed having a few friends and neighbors over for a bbq, nothing compared to my Grandma's hosting skills but I have to start somewhere :)
We ALMOST got the picture until Norris was scared off by a firework
Best attempt at a family picture :)