Over the weekend, I am traveling back to Sacramento to celebrate the life of my former mother-in-law, Ellie Matal.

Losing three “mothers” in three years is truly heartbreaking. Today I celebrate their lives briefly in these photos. These women were uniquely quirky and intensely loving. No doubt they were heroes in the eyes of their children and grandchildren.

Ellie Jeffus Matal was my mother-in-law from 1980 to 1995. She passed away (cancer) on October 31, 2022. She was an elementary school teacher for many years and loved quilting.

Eleanor Jeffus Matal
Eleanor Jeffus Matal
Grandma Time
Ellie with my Daughter at their Sierra Nevada Cabin

Hella Blumenbach Schrandt was my mother-in-law in my current marriage from 2013 to 2021. She passed away (Alzheimer’s) on February 14, 2021. Born in Chile, she spoke Spanish, German, and English and trained to drive buses later in life.

Hella Schrandt
son and mother

Both of my MILs shared the same birthdate, October 4, but one year apart.

Diane McCune Webster, my mother, shared two grandchildren (my daughters) with Ellie. Mom passed away from a 30-year battle with lupus and its effects just shy of her 80th birthday, on March 3, 2020. We were lucky to be able to be with her just before covid closed hospitals to covid a mere two weeks later.

Diane McCune Webster
Mom-Dad-and-Me
Terri and Diane
Mom and Me at Ocean Beach, San Diego. She loved the beaches.

If your mother or father is still alive, please hug them tightly as soon as you can. If they are no longer with you, please cherish your loving memories.

In remembrance of Veteran’s Day, not only should we honor and remember those who gave their lives and sacrificed for our freedom, but to honor the everyday heroes in our lives–our parents!

“I can imagine no heroism greater than motherhood.” —Lance Conrad

Sharing for Marsha’s WQW Veterans Day and holidays.

Please join me November 20th for Sunday Stills as we tackle the monthly color challenge leather (shades of brown).

regards bitmoji signature

© 2022-2031 Copyright — secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved

Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Now retired, I am former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

57 thoughts on “Mothers In Memoriam”

  4. Beautiful but poignant post. The loss of a mother, be it in-law or in-name or adopted or biological is so hard. Something about mothers. You were lucky to have three. I was lucky that I had 9 years between the loss of my MIL and my own mom. You have had a rough three years. Sending YOU hugs.

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  11. Beautiful tribute, Terri. I know where you got your thick hair, now! All of your mothers had twinkly eyes and beautiful smiles. My grandmother was almost there with them – birthday-wise. She was born on October 8th, my dad on the 12th, and my brother and grandfather on the 24th. Then I was born two weeks after that on the 7th, and my paternal grandfather on November 14th. The rest of the family was out of sync. My two mothers-in-law passed the same week, one in Seattle and one in Calimesa. That made for an interesting week just after I started a new job at the County Office of Education. Enjoy your time with family celebrating your MIL’s life. She looks very sweet.

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  12. Pingback: WQW #43: Honoring Those Who Protected Lives – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  20. A lovely, heartfelt post of remembrance, Terri. Three mothers in three years is a lot of loss. I second your advice to hug and appreciate the everyday heroes in our lives. There will be a time when they are no longer here to enjoy. Hugs.

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  24. Terri, what a beautiful tribute to these strong women in your life. I’m sorry for your losses and the reasons for their passing, even sadder. While I enjoyed seeing your beautiful photo of the moon in the post I just read, my personal feeling is that research should be directed toward cures for all three of these terrible diseases and not sending manned rockets into space and to the moon. I am glad you got to spend time with your mom before Covid closed down hospitals … at least you had one “lucky” (if that’s the right word) break. I am sure this was a sad gathering.

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  25. Beautiful thoughts and photos Terri. Losing 3 mothers in a short space of time is hearttreaking! I felt that way when I lost my father and father-in-law within 6 months of each other in 2018 and then my MIL in Dec 2020. My mum is 84 and going well so I will hug her tightly when I see her next. xx

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