Juliette Howie

Today, we gather to celebrate the life of Juliette T. Howie, Nena. To most she was known as Grandy, to my dad she was friend Nena, to me she was and forever will be Graham Cracker. She lived 94 rough and beautiful years. I’m confident that she impacted everyone she met in her life. She was the kind of woman who did things her way, on her time and never for a second pretended to be anything other than exactly who she was. That’s just one of the many reasons we loved her so deeply and its one of the best things she could have taught me. Grandma loved everyone the best way she knew how, it wasn’t perfect, but it was honest and you never had to guess how she felt about you.

Grandma was a woman after my own heart, she loved being outdoors, tending to her yard, picking up pecans and shelling them by hand, and even had her own little garden in the back yard. She also was crafty and created beauty with her hands. Poured love into everything she made. Including the quilts, Afghans, clothes, dolls or other gifts she gave to family and friends.

Those pieces weren’t just fabric and thread, they were her care, love and presence stitched into something lasting, she even would stitch a tag in the quilts stating “Made with love by Grandma”

She had a deep love for traveling and road trips. Especially, the journeys back to White Owl, South Dakota, where the Howie Family roots ran strong. The road trips with her children and grandchildren to South Dakota will forever be a reminder of where our family started. The last time we went I was in 5th grade and we all packed in the van and we were “on the road again”.

Grandma always often talked about the cabin she had in Colorado. I was too young to remember it but I’ve seen photos of how beautiful it was. I can imagine her sitting at Vallecito Lake fishing. She was the best example of hard working and dedication. There wasn’t a thing she couldn’t do or figure out, I admired her independence.

She spoke a lot about working for Joe and Margaret Evans at the Spanish Kitchen, where she met Oren Howie and where a new chapter in her life began. Later, she worked at the Leggs Plant until retirement and even then, she didn’t slow down. She spent the next 20 years working as a Treatment Foster Parent, continuing to give herself and open her home to others. My graham cracker always had an answer to everything. Her responses would catch you off guard and most of the time leave you speechless. Never failed though, she would always find a way to make you laugh.

Like the time she was asked if her boots were Tony Lamas, She replied with “No, they’re not Tony’s boots, their mine! I bought them!”

Grandy was confident, funny, and entirely her own person. I once asked her what her secret was for living so long and her response; “Cigarettes and Coffee” and honestly that answer says just about everything you need to know about her spirit.

She was also tough and unpredictable. As a wrestler in her younger days, she carried those skills with her, her entire life. Believe me, she never let us forget it and reminded us of who was the boss.

That same Strength is what carried her through her entire life. She loved going to watch football games. Especially, when her sons were in the marching band and then her grandson Gabriel years later. I remember she also took me to the las cruces high football games my sophomore year because I was the mascot. On the drive home she never forgot to remind me that I have to go straight inside and no sneaking out!

Grandy often said that she wouldn’t change for no body, way deep down in my heart I’m glad she never did. She was unique and one of a kind. It kept you on your toes, her laughter, stories, independence, jokes and unmistakable voice will be deeply missed.

Thank you Jesus for paying our debt and making a way for us to be in Eternity after we leave this life. I know in my heart that she is Heaven and that we will all be together again. Thank you for this day and I ask for blessing, peace and understanding to my family. Amen