If anyone could spare some thoughts and prayers ...

[.sarah]

Thank you all so much. I've cried my fair share of tears but I've also tried to be happy. I've been talking on the phone to my friends a lot since then and they've kept me laughing. I know my Nana would not want to see her family in tears. It'll be different come Monday and Tuesday at the visitation and the funeral, and I know I'll be crying again, but for now I'm trying to stay positive and just keep living life. I think for the most part it hasn't really set in, because I just saw her two weeks ago, and it doesn't seem possible that she's really gone so soon after that. But thank you again, I really appreciate all of the comments.

[Daisy and Delilah]

{{{{{{{Sarah and Family}}}}}}}

[K9karen]

Sarah, I'm so very sorry I just saw this.

My deepest condolences. Your nana's smile says it all. She'll see your article for the paper and will always be with you. Love never dies. Take extra good care of your grandfather. He'll make it with loving support. My situation was the same with my parents, so I feel your pain. Kisses and hugs to you and your family

[.sarah]

Thank you. The visitation was tonight. My family was overwhelmed with the number of people that showed up. Over 300 people came. She was just one of those people that everyone loved. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She was the grandmother that everyone wants to have growing up. She was just an amazing lady.

I'm having trouble sleeping tonight. It's 12:30am, and I'm in her living room which overlooks the kitchen. I just keep thinking about my Nana making breakfast for everyone. It just seems so unreal. Everytime I've been in this living room, she's been right here. I thought that the service would provide some closure but really it hasn't. I know it will come with time but right now it still seems like a dream. I've never lost someone so close to me and I guess I'm just not ready to accept it.

Here is her obituary. I think it says a lot about her.

Norma Lee (Prince) Ellis, 81, went to walk with God on Thursday, March 22, 2007. Norma was born August 15, 1925 in Mobile, Alabama to James and Margaret Prince. A little over a year later, her family moved to Pensacola where they opened and operated the Electric Maid Bakery, a downtown Pensacola favorite for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Margaret Prince and her brother Howard.
Norma Lee was a 1943 graduate of Pensacola High School and then attended Ringling Art Institute in Sarasota, Florida.
Norma Lee was an active member of McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Church and, at the time of her death, was the longest tenured member of the church having been a member for almost 70 years. Her involvement in so many church activities and her extreme love of the Lord has endeared her to many that have attended the church over the years.
Norma was also active in the community being a long standing member and past president of Escambia County Home & Community Education (HCE - formally known as Extension Homemakers) as well as holding several other offices. She was awarded the HCE's Homemaker of the Year Award. She also was past District I president of the Florida Association of HCE. Norma loved sewing, quilting and all types of needlework and was a member of the Gulf Coast Stitchery Guild. She was a member of the Pensacola Historical Society and a past member of the Jaycee'ets and Junior League.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Robert F. Ellis, Jr., 4 children; Priscilla (husband Eddy), Michael (wife Jody), Raechel (husband Randy), Camille (husband Ted), eight grandchildren, a sister Betty Panaccione (husband Joe), four nieces and their children.
Funeral services will be held at ---- on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 11:00 am with Reverend Rob Looper officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel on Monday, March 26, 2007 from 6 until 8 pm.
The family would like to thank the staff at West Florida Hospital Respiratory department for their dedication and loving service to Norma during her prolonged illness.

Something that broke my heart tonight was my little cousin Morgan. She would not leave my Nana's side. The night before my Nana died, she prayed to God to please not take her, that she needed her more than He did. Tonight it was as if she just couldn't say goodbye. It was just so sad. It's unfortunate that she and her baby brother won't have her growing up, because she was the greatest grandmother. Morgan is 4, so I'm sure she'll have some memories of her, but her brother is only 1.

And my Nana's poor dog - she keeps looking for her. She just waits in the living room during the day, and at night, she waits by the bedroom door.

My Papa seemed to do okay tonight at the service - he was glad to see everyone. But back at home he doesn't seem well. This house is so big and it feels so empty now. We're going to see if he wants to come stay with us, but I imagine that it will be hard for him to leave here, as well as stay here. I just hope he's able to pull through this.

Thanks for letting me "talk" to you all. I'm not sure that anyone is reading but I just needed to kinda ease my mind a bit.

[cmayer31]

I'm sorry for your loss, Sarah. It's clear from your posts how deeply you cared for her and what a wonderful person she was. I can relate a little to what you are going through as I recently lost my grandmother, last November. The thing that kept me up this entire time was just the knowledge of what an amazing person she was while here and that I know she was proud of my parents, my brother and I.

I'm sorry to ramble, but I think what I'm trying to say is that the love between your family and friends for your Nana is evident and she knew that while she was here. She will always be there in spirit and memories and will keep smiling and loving even though she is not physically here.

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts, especially your Papa.