Deane Alice Duval
born – 27 June 1932, Montana
died – 17 September 2017, Washington
My heart is full. There is so much to say, both here, and privately. So many things that need to be recorded and preserved. My Grandmas were both instrumental in helping me begin my genealogy journey. Both are now gone. Grandma Deane shared with me everything she could. Photos, documents, stories, facts, family rumors and legends. Everything.
I was able to be with her the last two days of her life. What a tender, difficult, healing, heartbreaking, and precious time. I wiped the last tears she ever shed. I held her hands. I swabbed her mouth with a wet sponge. I rubbed her feet and legs. I kissed her forehead. I stroked her cheek. I told her I loved her again and again. But I will never be able to repay all that she did for me.
Farewell to my oldest and truest genealogy partner-in-crime, cheerleader, and occasional corrector. When I called to share my discoveries, I was greeted with a “well hi, sweetheart”, with her unique Pacific Northwest accent flavored by her family’s recent English and French immigrants. I will miss that. I imagine the next few new discoveries will be bittersweet because I won’t be able to call and talk to her about them.
Thank you, Grandma, for everything.
❤️