I hope you’ll indulge me today, dear readers, because I want to tell you a little story – a very small slice of the life of Joan Bentson (nee Staines) – otherwise known as my Granny.
To tell her whole life would be the work of years, so today I’m just going to tell you a little bit about what I believe was the most important part of it – her marriage to an American interloper known as Bill Bentson.
You see, Joan was born here in Brisbane, and when she was 17, she happened to go to a dance one night. At this dance, she met a young American soldier – here as one of General MacArthur’s staff during WWII. There was a lot of tension in those days between the American troops stationed in Brissie and the local boys – because the Americans were so handsome, well-groomed and polite, and the Aussie girls were falling for them head-over-heels!
Well, happily for her, and for all of us who have been born of that dance-hall meeting – she was one of them! After a brief courtship, she became one of many hundreds of War Brides in 1943, and she and Bill returned to the US after the war was over.
Their marriage lasted 68 years, with 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren (and counting!). Here they are in 1995, looking spiffy for a special dinner – most likely at the Club Gramps belonged to.
And here, just a few years ago, with her first great-grandchild, little Mary.
Granny did many things in her life – she travelled the world, brought her children up in another country before returning to Brisbane, Australia in the 60’s (where we all still live).
But I guess, to me, she was just always there. For exactly 30 years of my life – from the day I was born to the early morning after the day I turned 30 (I am the youngest of her grandchildren). Always there when I knocked on her door for a visit.
We would sit in the sunroom in the back of their house in Toowong, with a cup of tea and the jar of cookies. Or, if I turned up at lunchtime, she would insist I have a sandwich. Usually with ham, cheese, and proper whole-egg mayonnaise.
She may be gone now, and Gramps is in a nursing home, so I know I’ll never see this scene again, but I can see it so clearly in my memory, as I did so many times in my life.
Both of them, sitting at that table. The sun is streaming in, while Gramps reads the paper and Granny does the crossword. They are quiet, and together, and happy. And really, that says it all.
Together, and happy.
What more could you ask for?
Joan Bentson (nee Staines).
July 28th, 1925 – April 27th, 2011.
She looks lovely and mischievous and she looks like she smells lovely! What a gorgeous lady. xx
She was.. and she did 🙂 Chanel No 5 was her all over.
awww a lovely post about your Grandmother – beautiful pics too! love the last one…hold onto those wonderful memories (Hugs)
She was a very beautiful lady – my Gramps was one lucky man! 😉
Such a beautiful post Jess. What lovely memories youve shared with us. Such a striking looking couple.
I’m sure she looking down smiling at you. *hugs* to u & ur family
xo Katie
Oh dear, I’m all teary now. Lots of love to you and your family.
I have tears tickling my cheeks, thinking of all the nannas, grans and grannies we have loved and lost. They are so special :0)
She sounds like a wonderful lady. My thoughts are with you and your family. xo
that was a very sweet post. thank you!
Jess, I can see you had a lovely relationship with your Gran. Hold on tight to those memories girl.
Take care xoxox
Sorry for your loss Jess. What a lovely tribute to your Granny.
That was a lovely post about your Granny, Jess. What a delightful lady. May she rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. You’re very lucky to have so many wonderful memories of your lovely Grandmother xx
{hugs} Jess, she sounds like a wonderful lady
A wonderful life for a wonderful woman. Bless her!
I’m sorry Jess, it sounds like she was a super lady. You wrote a beautiful tribute.
Oh, thank you all so, so much xx 🙂
What a wonderful tribute. So sorry for your loss. Hugs.
A beautiful post Jess and gorgeous photos, she looks so stylish. Love to you.
beautiful story. beautiful couple. beautiful life.
thank you Jess for sharing a little bit of your Gran with us.
Thank you, Jess, for sharing that beautiful tribute with us. It’s obvious that your Gran, strong and lovely in spirit, mind, and body, lives on in you and your mom.
What a lovely tribute to a lovely lady .
Thank you for sharing your grandmothers story. A heartfelt thank you and my thoughts
are with you at this time!
So sorry to hear of your Granny’s passing. Thank you for sharing the beautiful memories. She sounds like a wonderful woman, and what a fabulous life…
Thinking of you all at this time.
With kindest regards
so sorry to hear you lost your Granny – what a lovely post and such nice memories of time spent simply and happily together x
I know you will miss her, so sorry for your loss. She was very beautiful, and sounds like a long & happy life. A lot to be grateful for! Blessings!
What a sweet post, Jess! She seems to have had a lively, sparkly spirit from her photos. Hang on to those wonderful memories. *Hugs*
What a wondeful piece Jess. You were so lucky to have her and I’m sure that she felt equally blessed by her relationship with you.
Simply lovely. My Buschia passed this year, too. She was full of fire, as most Polish people are. I can still feel her cheek on mine when I said good bye to her for the last time in October…so soft. My heart goes out to you, she looked like a lovely lady who had mischief up her sleeve, made everyone laugh, and loved more than anyone could. You are truly blessed! Perhaps she’s playing cards with my Buschia…or dancing.
xx
You are all so wonderful, thank you. Theresa, my sympathies for your loss of your Buschia, too xx
This is really beautiful. I just found your lovely blog and have been exploring.
Such sweet memories to cherish, keep smiling xxx