This Shabbat, 9/22---9/23/2017, is my Grandma Fannie Schneider's yahrzeit. I was so, so close to her. She died in 1994.
I wrote this memory of her on an old website that was discontinued, but fortunately it was archived in the Oocities archives.
Many of my friends from Long Beach remember Grandma!
Below is what was and is archived in the Oociities archives:
Grandma
Lynnellen (pregnant with Drew), Jo Ann, Grandma, and Uncle Bobby
Thanksgiving Day 1986
GRANDMA
Grandma. That's the only name I can use as I talk about my grandmother, Fannie Schneider. Grandma liked being called by that name too, and actually asked my friends to call her Grandma too.
I feel like I had a special privilege as a grand-daughter to get to know Grandma because in 1978 when I graduated from Colorado College, I moved in with Grandma. At first I moved into one of her extra bedrooms, but soon discovered that I was more comfortable sharing a room with Grandma. She invited me to sleep in the extra twin bed that was in her bedroom. Like two young girls, we became good friends; sometimes I felt like we were college roommates, not grandmother and grand-daughter. We shared some great times together that year--we went shopping together, ate meals together, went to movies together, and took walks together. I was able to drive her to visit certain friends and relatives she couldn't see that often too. I learned a lot about not only Grandma's family, but also my grandfather's family that year.
That year was an important one in my life, since while staying at Grandma's house, I met the man I would marry, Dan Farris. Most of our courtship took place at Grandma's house, and Dan soon was calling her "Grandma" too! Dan and I became engaged while sitting in Dan's car, right in front of Grandma's house! Grandma was the first one to hear the good news and responded with, "Mazel Tov!" We celebrated by picking up Grandma's sister, Molly, and all going out to eat at the Katella Deli, Grandma's favorite restaurant. That was Dan's first time eating at a Jewish deli, and we probably took Grandma to that deli at least 50 more times in future years. She always ordered the same thing: a bowl of matzah ball soup and a corned beef sandwich. She only ate half of the sandwich and took the other half home to eat later (or to give to her son, Bobby, who visited quite often.)
Grandma really liked young people. She had many boarders through the years live in the large house on Granada Avenue. One of her favorite boarders was my best friend, Marion Ennis Curtis. Marion called her "Grandma" too. It was really great for Dan and I when we visited Belmont Shore, since we could always visit Grandma and Marion at the same time. Marion took part in some of our family celebrations too. I always thought it was so wonderful that Grandma had so many friends, both young and old.
I miss my Grandma. I miss hearing the stories of her childhood in New York. I miss hearing her sing. I miss hearing about her life with my Grandpa, Max. I miss hearing about her life as a young teacher and young mother. I miss hearing about what went on at the Jewish Community Center and what she was served at the luncheon at the temple. I miss hearing about Grandma's friends. I miss hearing about her sisters and brothers, Grandpa, Uncle Bobby, and my dad. Although I miss these things, I am left with wonderful memories of a very busy and happy lady.
I am so glad that she was able to meet her great-grandson, my son, Joel, in her last days. I hope to be able to tell Joel stories about Grandma too.
I know Grandma really loved her husband, two sons, three grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I am so glad that her first great-grandchild, Drew was able to get to know Grandma well. The house on Granada Avenue will never be the same, but new memories have occured there: since my sister, Lynnellen, and her three children have been living there. I am so glad Grandma led such a long and wonderful life. I feel privileged to be the grand-daughter of such a unique individual.
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