Evelyn Michals, also know as Gram-Gram to everyone passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 4th in the afternoon. She was such a sweet woman who loved life and everyone who surrounded her. Gram-Gram's wake was on Sunday from 3-8pm and the Mass Service was on Monday. Both days were filled with laughter, tears and rememberances of Gram. It's amazing how close you become as a family when having to go through a death. It brings everyone together and the support and love of everyone makes it a bit easier! We know Gram-Gram is up in heaven enjoying all of those who went before her and having an Old Style with her husband and friends!
Here is Dave's Beautiful Eulogy that he gave at the mass. It sums up Gram so much and it is beautiful!
Good morning everyone.
Let me begin by saying on behalf of our entire family, I would like to extend my sincerest thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Evelyn Kathryn Michals — known as "gram" to us grand kids, "gram gram" to her four great grand kids, and of course "mom" to Linda and John.
How do you encapsulate the life of a wonderful women who lived 96 years? It's impossible, especially in the few minutes I have here today.
So I'd like to share some memories about what Gram meant to our family. What she taught us grand kids over the years. Some of our funnest moments together. And some of the best stories. To me, that's the precious stuff.
You see, to us grand kids, Evelyn was not just a Grandmother, she was like a third parent who helped raise us from the moment we were born. Every Sunday afternoon for many years, my Mom or Dad would drive 25 miles from Homer Glen to Garfield Ridge to pick her up for a three-night stay at our house. As a kid, I thought every family had a grandparent living with them — to play Go Fish and Old Maid with, to watch Benny Hill with, to go on walks with, to go on vacations with, just to laugh and talk with. Man, we were so lucky.
Gram was an incredible cook. The other day, our family reminisced about our favorite Gram specialties. How her mashed potatoes where so fluffy ("It's all in the wrist," was my Mom's theory). How her pork tenderloin was so perfectly breaded on both sides. How her fresh-cut fries and homemade burgers trumped anything we could get at a fast-food restaurant. Those are mysteries that will never be solved and dishes that will never be equaled, at least in our minds.
Gram was also a great storyteller. As a kid, I was completely fascinated by her life — from the incredibly historic times she lived through to her struggles, joyous memories, and childhood life. It was just so different from mine.
The youngest of seven kids, Gram lost her father when she was just two years old. Her mother raised her and her sisters and brother with the help of her three uncles and her grandmother. They all lived in a small house in an Irish neighborhood in Bridgeport, where she attended St. Bridget's Grammar School. Imagine being a single mother raising that many kids -- that's what family is all about.
Together, they survived the Great Depression. Gram would always say they were the lucky ones, because her uncles owned a small grocery store on the ground floor of their home. "We always had food," she told me. "Others were not so blessed."
As a kid growing up poor, they made the best of what they had — which was each other. They'd play games in the neighborhood, spend afternoons in the park, and occasionally ride the bus to the city. A big day out was going to the movies, where, as Gram put it, "A nickel would buy you a ticket and popcorn." I loved when she talked about the price of things back in her day.
She always reminisced about how, later in life, she was so lucky to be able to find a good job. Every day, rain or shine, snow or sleet, she took the bus from Garfield Ridge to the Loop to work as a page at Continental Bank. She quickly worked her way upward and became part of a small team assisting the bank president. In her overly modest way, Gram questioned why the company president chose her over other employees; she said she was the lucky one. I suspect it was because Gram was the hardest-working person in that building. Because that's the type of person she was.
And then there were the stories about my Grandpa Ben, who passed away before I was born. "He was the nicest man I've ever known," she once told me. "He would have adored you kids. You would have had so much fun with him."
Through her stories, Gram taught us many lessons: to be thankful for what we have; to surround ourselves only with the people we truly love; to work hard and the rewards will come; to laugh and have fun every day; and to live an honest, spiritual life.
Gram's religious spirit was an important part of her life. She attended church on a regular basis and lived by the rules of God every day. She was quick to help others in need and never missed a funeral mass for the people she knew and loved.
The church also was a big part of her social life. The St. Syms Super Club was the center of her social circle. She spoke fondly of her many friends at "club" and the trips they took, the events they put on, and the many fun parties they had. Us grand kids used to joke that Gram had more friends than we did. That's how she was — always the social butterfly.
I'm going to leave you with one of Gram's very last words of wisdom: Just days ago before her passing, she told my Mom and Sister, "I Love Life." I believe these three words best embody the spirit of Evelyn Kathryn Michals.
As I look back on Gram's life and how she lived it, I'm sure that she's walking with God at this very moment.
We love you Gram. May you rest in peace.
Let me begin by saying on behalf of our entire family, I would like to extend my sincerest thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Evelyn Kathryn Michals — known as "gram" to us grand kids, "gram gram" to her four great grand kids, and of course "mom" to Linda and John.
How do you encapsulate the life of a wonderful women who lived 96 years? It's impossible, especially in the few minutes I have here today.
So I'd like to share some memories about what Gram meant to our family. What she taught us grand kids over the years. Some of our funnest moments together. And some of the best stories. To me, that's the precious stuff.
You see, to us grand kids, Evelyn was not just a Grandmother, she was like a third parent who helped raise us from the moment we were born. Every Sunday afternoon for many years, my Mom or Dad would drive 25 miles from Homer Glen to Garfield Ridge to pick her up for a three-night stay at our house. As a kid, I thought every family had a grandparent living with them — to play Go Fish and Old Maid with, to watch Benny Hill with, to go on walks with, to go on vacations with, just to laugh and talk with. Man, we were so lucky.
Gram was an incredible cook. The other day, our family reminisced about our favorite Gram specialties. How her mashed potatoes where so fluffy ("It's all in the wrist," was my Mom's theory). How her pork tenderloin was so perfectly breaded on both sides. How her fresh-cut fries and homemade burgers trumped anything we could get at a fast-food restaurant. Those are mysteries that will never be solved and dishes that will never be equaled, at least in our minds.
Gram was also a great storyteller. As a kid, I was completely fascinated by her life — from the incredibly historic times she lived through to her struggles, joyous memories, and childhood life. It was just so different from mine.
The youngest of seven kids, Gram lost her father when she was just two years old. Her mother raised her and her sisters and brother with the help of her three uncles and her grandmother. They all lived in a small house in an Irish neighborhood in Bridgeport, where she attended St. Bridget's Grammar School. Imagine being a single mother raising that many kids -- that's what family is all about.
Together, they survived the Great Depression. Gram would always say they were the lucky ones, because her uncles owned a small grocery store on the ground floor of their home. "We always had food," she told me. "Others were not so blessed."
As a kid growing up poor, they made the best of what they had — which was each other. They'd play games in the neighborhood, spend afternoons in the park, and occasionally ride the bus to the city. A big day out was going to the movies, where, as Gram put it, "A nickel would buy you a ticket and popcorn." I loved when she talked about the price of things back in her day.
She always reminisced about how, later in life, she was so lucky to be able to find a good job. Every day, rain or shine, snow or sleet, she took the bus from Garfield Ridge to the Loop to work as a page at Continental Bank. She quickly worked her way upward and became part of a small team assisting the bank president. In her overly modest way, Gram questioned why the company president chose her over other employees; she said she was the lucky one. I suspect it was because Gram was the hardest-working person in that building. Because that's the type of person she was.
And then there were the stories about my Grandpa Ben, who passed away before I was born. "He was the nicest man I've ever known," she once told me. "He would have adored you kids. You would have had so much fun with him."
Through her stories, Gram taught us many lessons: to be thankful for what we have; to surround ourselves only with the people we truly love; to work hard and the rewards will come; to laugh and have fun every day; and to live an honest, spiritual life.
Gram's religious spirit was an important part of her life. She attended church on a regular basis and lived by the rules of God every day. She was quick to help others in need and never missed a funeral mass for the people she knew and loved.
The church also was a big part of her social life. The St. Syms Super Club was the center of her social circle. She spoke fondly of her many friends at "club" and the trips they took, the events they put on, and the many fun parties they had. Us grand kids used to joke that Gram had more friends than we did. That's how she was — always the social butterfly.
I'm going to leave you with one of Gram's very last words of wisdom: Just days ago before her passing, she told my Mom and Sister, "I Love Life." I believe these three words best embody the spirit of Evelyn Kathryn Michals.
As I look back on Gram's life and how she lived it, I'm sure that she's walking with God at this very moment.
We love you Gram. May you rest in peace.
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