Today would have been my mother's 100th birthday. Named Violet Ruth Hofstetter, she was born on December 28th, 1921, in Salem Oregon, and spent her growing up years on a farm in the foothills of the Willamette Valley, where she was the oldest child of four, and for much of her youth she was her father's farm hand, learning to love the earth and being outdoors.
High school graduation photo
farm girl
Then a bunch of grand kids. Then a bigger bunch of great grand children, of which mine were just a few of the many.
Coming so close to Christmas, Mom's birthday was a good reason to get the whole family together for another celebration. We all had our own families by then so siblings and cousins got a chance to see each other, share gifts, and eat some more! We did this for many years, even after Mom had left us.
Mom loved the Oregon Coast, and she found her dream in the little cabin at Rockaway Beach, where she spent many happy times with my father and with friends and family. The cabin is one of her legacies.
Mom was with us for almost 90 years before passing away in November of 2011, just short of her 90th birthday.
This photo, at our cider bee in 2011, is the last I have of her. She passed shortly after, but not before getting to spend time with much of her big family.
She has been gone from this earth for ten years now, but she lives on in our lives and in our hearts and in our memories.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Happy Birthday to your mother in heaven. Your tribute to her is lovely.
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful. They did have a bunch of kids, but it was easy to see which one was you. Thanks for the great pictures, and happy centennial to your mom! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memory of a grand lady. Such a full and wonderful life, and so rich in family!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful woman and a lovely tribute to a life well spent. She left a sound legacy in her offspring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rich and golden heritage you have!
ReplyDeleteNice tribute to your mom and for the rest of us information about what makes a great person.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Mom. She must have been a very special lady.
ReplyDeleteYour mother was a very good looking lady. You have a nice family and I am sure she was very proud of her family.
ReplyDeletehow fun to keep her memory alive and preserve your family photos..
ReplyDeleteYour mom was such a beautiful woman inside and out. She obviously raised a loving, kind and accomplished family.
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