From June 2000 until June 2006, Jan and I lived in Ruckersville, Virginia. It’s a rural town north of Charlottesville, Virginia and skirts the Blue Ridge Mountains. While we lived there, several times a year we brought Nana to visit us. She loved our home and neighborhood and always looked forward to her visits. (Note: Mitzi in this story is our cat.)
The Blue Ridge Mountains
When Diane took me from PA to Ruckersville, VA, what a great time I had! First we stopped at Cracker Barrel, then on down to view the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then we went up to Skyline Drive. At the entrance I got a Golden Age Passport, good for life. The many views from there leaves a lot of great memories.
Then we drove on to Ruckersville, VA to Bernice Lane for a visit with Diane and Jan. It is a nice neighborhood where I sat on the front porch many hours and enjoyed it so much. The mailman always waved at me and then I walked down the driveway and got the mail.
The neighbor Billy Casaday was very friendly and he called me Mom. I watched him come and go from work and we went across the road to his house and watched TV on his wide-screen.
I had my special chair for a nice view out the window with Mitzi sitting on the back of the chair. To Mitzi I was Nana and I gave her lots of treats every day.
Nice memories……
Written by Deanie Rhone, June 15th, 2011
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Nana & Mitzi, Ruckersville, VA 2002
 Nana at Bernice Lane, Ruckersville, VA, April 2003
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While we lived in Virginia, I attended a group called Toastmasters. It’s an international, nonprofit. educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Our club was in Charlottesville, VA. Participation requires writing and presenting speeches and being critiqued by fellow club members. Nana’s visits often coincided with my Toastmasters meetings and my club members encouraged me to have her attend. Even though she couldn’t hear everyone well, she loved the socializing and the attention she received from the members.
Blue Ridge Toastmasters Virginia
Many times I visited Ruckersville, VA and went to Toastmasters meetings with Diane held in a room in the library at Albemarle Square in Charlottesville.
When the meeting started, a large US flag was brought in from the library by Joe and Ian to Pledge Allegiance to the flag. Joe Blair is a Rabbi and Ian Henry is an Australian. Bruce Pierce, Sergeant at Arms, did the welcome
The meetings were very interesting with speeches and table topics. I was called “Mom of the Toastmasters” and they always told me to come back.
Great Memory!
Written by Deanie Rhone, July 12, 2011
Nana often voiced her dislike of parties and large crowds but she enjoyed smaller gatherings – like attending her cozy country church.
Back to Church
As a child, each summer I walked to practice for Children’s Day Service at our country church. That church is now St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Later for many years if I went to any church I was subject to cruelty by my spouse. Later in the Seventies, when I was on my own, I was helped by my niece Grace to get back to attending church. With her help, it went real well.
On May 7, 1978, I got a Certificate of Baptism and on May 14, 1978, a Confirmation and Reception into St. John’s United Methodist Church by Pastor James Sunderland.
From that time, through many years with Pastor Jim, Pastor Max and now Pastor Mike, I am proud to be a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Written by Deanie Rhone, August 9, 2011
Nana and Pastor Mike in front of the Stained Glass Window dedicated in her honor
For this next story, Nana reached back into childhood again but this time with a more pleasant memory.
From Child Through Teen Years
When we lived where is now Alvira Road and I was going to Pikes Peak School, the road by our house had very steep hills and we had deep snow storms back then. We could sled ride down one hill and up the other far enough we did not have to pull the sled very far.
Later my dad built a house (my dad was a good carpenter) below bottom of the mountain near Holmes Store and Dance hall. We moved there when I was in my teens.
Later my older brother John was drafted into the army during World War II and after Basic Training was sent to Iran, Persian Gulf. Temperatures were 100 degrees and that was very hard for the soldiers there.
Later I went to Austin Texas to be near my soldier husband.
Written by Deanie Rhone, September 25, 2011
This story about Nana sledding on the steep hills reminds me of my own childhood memory of Nana driving on those same steep hills while on our way to see Grandma and Pap Tilburg. She was a safe driver, but she sped up on those hills so us kids could get the thrill of the roller coaster like fun she’d enjoyed.
Holmes Store and Dance Hall she mentioned in the story is where she met my dad, Stanley Rhone.
Nana was also close to her brother John. I love seeing pictures of them together.
Nana and John World War II
Nana wrote this next story on the anniversary of her wedding day, October 10, 1942. This was a happier time for Nana.
Marriage and Army
It’s October 10, 2012. It brings back a memory of that day in 1942. That was the day, 70 years ago, of Stan and I’s wedding. It was a sunny Saturday morning. We were married at the Messiah Lutheran Church in South Williamsport by Reverend E. Raymond Shaheen. My sister Grace had a meal for Stan and I at her home after the ceremony.
World War II was in full swing and in February of 1943, Stan was drafted into the Army and sent to Camp Swift, Texas. The following April, I went to Austin, Texas to be near him. I made many friends in Austin and worked at Steck Publishing Company. In 1944 Stan was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri, where Stan and I walked a path in the Ozarks in the spring. Then he was sent overseas to Italy into battle in July 1944. I went back home.
Stan and I 1944
Written by Deanie Rhone, October10, 2012
I
noticed that Nana again mentioned Daddy and her walking in the Ozarks. That was
a particularly sweet memory for her. I think this picture may have been taken in Missouri before Daddy was shipped overseas.
Below is a picture of the first draft Nana wrote for this story. As you can see, it was getting difficult for her to write due to the crippling arthritis in her fingers.
Seeing her shaky handwriting makes me realize what an effort it was for her to complete these stories.
The next story is the last one she wrote. It’s a beautiful summary of her life in that moment.
Life as I Know It
by Deanie Rhone April 2013
I am very much retired and, at 89 years old, I live in Yoder’s Senior Apartments, Second Floor. From my balcony, I have a beautiful view of the mountains – the spring and summer are green and the fall is beautiful with the autumn colors. Below my balcony is a cornfield often visited by deer and geese. It is easy living. Maintenance mows the grass and plows the snow. My favorite maintenance man Pat fixes anything I need, from a broken toilet to a light bulb over the sink.
My daughter Sharon lives local and takes me to doctor’s appointments, Wendy’s and does many chores for me, especially keeping all my meds and vitamins organized and ready for me every day.
My other daughter Diane comes from Virginia every month and does a lot for me while she is here, like cleaning and laundry and we always go places together.
My sons Wayne and Bill and Bill’s wife Marcia help me in many ways too. Wayne opens all my jars and my Sprite bottles. Bill and Marcia often stop by with home cooked food.
I go to May’s in the morning for a pancake and coffee. When I walk in the door, my order from the waitress girls to the cook Steve is, “Deanie’s here.”
I drive mostly local and get to church when I can. Pastor Mike comes to visit, gives me communion and prays with me.
I am grateful for my family and living in a safe and friendly neighborhood.
That’s life as I know it.
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| Nana in her apartment in Houston Ridge, Montgomery PA |
Nana lived in her second floor balcony apartment for 25 years before entering Watsontown Nursing home in July, 2018.
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| Nana with Steve the cook and Christy her waitress at May's Restaurant, Hughesville, PA |
For all the trauma and strife Nana endured over the years, her last story is a sweet example of her appreciation for her life and her zeal for living.
Nana’s memory is alive every day in all of us who were so fortunate to have had her in our lives. I’m so grateful she shared these stories with us – in her own words.
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| Our Beautiful Nana |
