By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb

Happy Birthday Mom!

Some of us were reminiscing yesterday about the big birthday celebration we had for my mother at Shea’s American in January 2010. Just months later in December of that year she passed away. The party turned out to be not only a source of tremendous joy for her but also a lasting gift for the family – a treasured memory to keep – the final time we all gathered together with her the way we had so often over the years.  

Mom/Nana with her first born great-grandson Daniel.

Grandddaughter-in-law Melane.

Great-great granddaughter, pretty Sofia, helped Nana open her gifts.

Wearing a yellow rose corsage, her favorite flower, adorned with seven yellow roses representing her seven children, she was on top of the world that day. There was a large turnout and the buffet was absolutely lovely.

Second great-grandson Nathan.

The chef at Shea’s sets up the buffet.

Great- grandchildren Lillian and Jack and their mother Linda.

Mom/Nana’s grandson Mike, and daughters Candy and Dixie.

Melane, Mike, and Nana’s great- granddaughters Michelle and Maryann.

Shea’s American Manchester, CT.

Second to family, her passions were travel, UConn sports and Red Sox baseball. Thanks to her indomitable spirit she continued to enjoy all of those things well into that last year we had with her.

Nana with great-granddaughter Katie.

Great-grandsons Nathan and Daniel, granddaughter Debbie, family friend Ray, grandson-in-lawWayne and granddaughter Donna.

Daughter-in-law Jane, granddaughter-in-law Linda, grandson Eric, son John and great grandchildren Lillian and Jack.

Great-grandson Johnny, grandsons John and Mike and daughter Dixie.

Granddaughter Donna and her husband Tom with Nana.

Granddaughter Debbie with Mom/Nana, the UConn Husky dog and Candy at Memorial Stadium in Storrs, CT.

Me, Dixie, Mike, Mom/Nana and Candy at a Boston restaurant August 2010.

For my mother’s party, I had put together a photo history of her life which was all about family, family, family. Everyone took time to look over the collection of pictures which was actually a history of our lives too.

Truly, it is amazing to think of the generations that were created all because two people fell in love – my parents Cecelia & John.

All because two people fell in love -Truly, it  is amazing to think of the generations of lives that were created all because two people fell in love – my parents – Cecelia & John.

So on this special day Mom – here is to a life well-lived!