My grandmother, dad’s mother,  died on December 20, 1946 in Anacortes. She was an Italian grandmother who looked like an Italian grandmother.  She was an outstanding cook with many talents. She spoke only a few words of English, but visiting Nonna and Nonno Luvera was an adventure because she was always feeding us children wonderful food or treats whenever we visited. In the photo is Nonna, my sisters Phyllis, Anita, me and my grandfather Nicola Luvera.  this is in memory to her. I’ve written about her before: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/12/phyllis-flippa-luvera-1870-1946.html.htm

ELIZABETH “BETTY” BARNETT 1910 -1985 Betty Barnett was my wife Lita’s mother who died December 20, 1985. I’ve written about this remarkable woman many times. See https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/12/my-mother-in-law-elizabeth-barnett-1910-1995.html It was my privilege to have known her. She was extraordinary in so many ways. She was very intelligent, wise and a great judge of people. I loved her like my own mother for her many qualities. This is a woman who attended Holy Names in Spokane where she was taught proper table settings, good manners and social skills.

She met Hollis Barnett when he was attending Gonzaga and after they married he took this refined lady to Rainer National Park where he ran a small gas station. they lived in a small attic area above the gas station. Later they built and operated the Gateway Inn at the entrance to the park. Their marriage
lasted over fifty years and produced son Hollis and daughters Barbara, Monica and Lita. Their story is unique. Betty had many accomplishments and she loved poetry and literature. One of her favorite poems, which I read at her funeral, was by Sam Walter Foss The House by the Side of the Road The poem concludes with words that I always felt represented how she felt about her fellow neighbor:

“Let me live in my house by the side of the road Where the race of men go by; They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong; Wise, foolish – so am I.Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat or hurl the cynic’s ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.”

In addition to loving poetry, she wrote some herself. On of her poems is this untitled one that I like a lot. So, here’s to this wonderful woman who made the world a better place by having lived here: “The snow floats gently on my roof tonight from mountain clouds of high, while stepping gently past my door the gentle deer goes by. The firelight flickers in this country inn, the pictures look down from the wall; the conviction is strong, but mournful too, each child must answer his call. Time rushes on severing the span of youth. Was it yesterday one of them said ‘if I say my prayers and brush my teeth, could I maybe sleep in your bed?’ From memory;s halls of yester years a hollow echo rings; The pictures smile and prove again, Life and youth are born on wings. My fire is low and I hear the song lilting round a mountain high; Where the fir’s dark shadows paint the ground with a refrain pastel and shy. If walking tall through life’s circuitous path along the horizons rim; You smile as you meet each stranger’s wrath , the shadows of life will be dim”

My friend, Nick Petrish died in Anacortes on December 19, 2011. We had a long friendship. We went from grade school through high school together.We worked together from 1977 until his illness in 2011. He was a friend and a good man. I’ve written about him previously: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/12/nicholas-petrish-dec-19-2011.html.html