Grama and Mom Freda “Freddie” Farris died yesterday March 3, 2023 at 10:15 am Pacific time. She’s been a part of my life for almost 45 years when I met my husband Dan Farris. She was the kindest person ever. I always called her Mom and in later years I called her Grama. I will miss her so much. She would have been 99 years old on April 20, 2023.
She was the mother of six children and had nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She had at least 14 nieces and nephews and at least five grand nieces and nephews.
I wrote the following to a friend this morning at about 8 am 3/4/23:
“Good morning. I didn’t tell you last night that after my husband flew back to Long Beach, California from Sun Valley, we think he got Covid on the plane or at the Las Vegas airport where there was a layover. That was Wed 2/22/23. The next day (a week ago Thursday 2/23/23), Dan didn’t feel good and took a Covid test and tested positive. He isolated from his mother and sister and brother, but it was probably too late. Then, this past Thursday afternoon, his mother’s doctor said she needed to get to the hospital when Dan’s brother tested her oxygen level and it was very low. They saw that she was not eating, but they had no idea she had Covid. When she got to the ER late Thursday afternoon she tested positive. Then she died the next morning, yesterday, at 10:15 Pacific time. Covid seems to kill old people fast. I really am sad even though she was so old. Thanks for caring; it means so much to me.”
Dan has been in Long Beach since early June 2022 helping his 80 year old sister Sandy and 79 year old brother Mike take care of their mom. We haven’t spent time together since Dan has been needed in Long Beach except for 10 days in November 2022 and for two and a half weeks in January-February 2023 when he flew out to Colorado Springs to help me drive me back to Sun Valley, Idaho. Did my need for my husband to be with me cause my mother-in-law to die of Covid since she got it from my husband? I am feeling so guilty, but other have told me not to think those thoughts, but it is so hard.
My darling daughter Rebekah wrote the following on Facebook yesterday which gives such a wonderful picture of her life:
“Grandma, when I think of you I’m sitting in your house as the sun comes in through the windows, your paintings cover the walls, along with photos of every member of the family and many more friends, the books are on the coffee table and wherever a few more can be squeezed in, grampa’s model airplanes are hanging in my dad’s old room. Outside, there is a garden that you’ve tended for years. Maybe later we’ll pick some lemons, or tomatoes, or avocados. Dinner is coming up and I know it will be as delicious as it always is, especially because your making my favorite mashed potatoes. Afterwords we’ll watch Bob Ross videos or a movie and you’ll braid my hair with your gentle yet strong hands.
I’ll always picture you this way. You brought my family together in a way that can never be replaced. Above everything, you were loving and kind. You never asked for much and had a very simple life, but you were loved by everyone so so much. I can only be grateful to have been your granddaughter. I will miss you so very much.
Rest well, thank you, I love you.
Freda Farris
1924 - 2023”
Here’s a response from my dear cousin Luci to Rebekah’s post:
“JoAnn, what a lovely tribute Rebekah wrote about her grandmother. You have very special and talented children. In case you miss my comment off FB, this is what I wrote in response to her essay:
Rebekah, what a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I feel I know her through your lovely words. G-d bless you and your family at this time of great loss. And, tonight, there will be a new, shining star in the night firmament winking at you. Blow her a kiss for me.
It brought a tear to my eyes. Such special words and feelings.”
Here’s a comment from my sweet cousin Cherie:
“JoAnn and Dan, I'm sorry for your loss. You took such good care of your mom in her later years and I know you will have many memories with your mom. I feel so glad that she had such a loving family. Sincere condolences to you all!”
My husband Dan wrote the following yesterday about his very special mom:
Yesterday afternoon, my daughter Annabelle wrote this amazing tribute below: (I love you Sweetie):
“This morning I got the news that I have been dreading for years, my grandmother died. My grama Freda was 98, having lived a full life full of adventure and love. My grama was an artist, she painted spectacular portraits of our family, and her paintings sparkled with life. I always admired her and her pieces, she was my earliest inspiration for my art. I remember being about six or so, telling her I was going to be an artist just like her, and she said to me “no, you are going to be a famous artists,” but to me she was one of the masters, her work was more beautiful to me than anything. Whenever I was in California, my parents would take me to my grandparent’s house, I would go to painting classes with my grama and I admired all of the woodwork and engineering my grandpa did, I knew I was so much like both of them and wanted to make them proud. My grama is a big reason I am still pursing a career in art, she has always believed in me and has loved seeing my progress over the years, and I am so fortunate to have had such an amazing and loving role model.
Grama, I really miss you and will forever remember all of our times together having fun watching Bob Ross, talking about great art, and how much you gave and loved us all.”
Dan’s youngest sister Penny wrote the most amazing thing which is below:
“My beautiful Mother had to leave us this morning. She would have been ninety-nine next month. I'm so blessed to have had her for my Mother. Mom taught us so many valuable life lessons by example. Not one to tell people what to do, she simply lived a kind, caring, and unselfish life that spoke volumes. My Mother fervently believed in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Mom and Dad were married for sixty-eight years. Saying goodbye to the second parent is kind of like saying goodbye to them both again. My mom told me a story when I was a little girl. Her Mother, my Grandmother, was orphaned at the tender age of nine. On her death bed, her Mother said, "I'll see you in heaven." Although my Grandmother lived a long life, she always looked forward to the day that she would see her Mother again in heaven. I, too, want to live the life God has planned for me to its fullest. Yet, I will long for that day when I see my Mother again in heaven. Until then, I will try my best to honor her memory and miss her very much. Well done, Mom. I'm so proud of you.”
My son Joel has not written anything yet, but I can write out some of what he is thinking:
Grama Farris for Joel was just so sweet and kind. She was always so gentle to him. She had so many grandchildren, but loved each one equally. When he went into her house, he always felt so at home. She knew he was a picky eater, but made sure he always had food to eat that he liked.
He is so glad that she got to see him perform in Disney On Ice in December 2019 just before Covid hit the world. He also misses Grampa Farris.
He just appreciated her so much.
Joel is not only grieving the loss of his Grama, but Grandpa Schneider too. He is grieving the life we had since we took care of him in his homes in Larkspur, Colorado and in Belmont Shore (Naples Island), Long Beach, California. Joel was living in the Larkspur house for years during his breaks from traveling the world with Disney On Ice.
Joel was the one that noticed Grandpa was not breathing and was the first family member to notice he died. Joel had to leave Colorado the next day to teach skiing in Sun Valley and didn’t know he would not ever return to “Larkspur” (his home for seven years) again.
Also, the last time Joel saw Grama Farris she was doing okay, but Joel didn’t know then he’d not return to Long Beach since the Schneider family condo was sold and not be able to see his Grama again.
Joel says, “Grama: I remember when you let me stay with you and Grampa and were so welcoming. And…you always encouraged me with positivity and love. I remember you made really good food. Sorry I was so picky. You were the most amazing cook! Thank you for coming to my show. I pulled strings for you to come and watch me in ramps. Thank you for being so kind. Grama, I love you.“
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| Julie’s son Bryce and Grama |
And…Julie wrote more on Sunday, 3/5/2023:
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