Fearless Females: National Women's History Month Day 13 - Courage and Strength

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.


When my Grampy, Henry Bowen, was dying of pancreatic cancer in May of 1973, my grandmother, Lil, had to show incredible strength and courage.

Grampy in March of 1971    

On May 24, 1973, just 4 days before Grampy died - Nana's sister, Mary, died.  Nana never let my grandfather know that not only was she dealing with watching her husband die, she also had to attend the wake and funeral of her sister in between her bedside vigils for my grandfather.  She put on the brave face and continued to visit him and he never knew that Mary had died.

Nana and Grampy in December of 1971

I can't even begin to imagine the heartache she went through at that time.  Grampy was the love of Nana's life.  At the time of his death, Nana and Grampy had been married 41 years and had 15 children together.  It must have been tearing her heart out to watch him slipping away - and then to lose her sister at the same time.  She did it, though.  She did what needed to be done and got through it as hard as that must have been for her.

15 kids? Just a day at the beach!

I miss you, Nana!

Thanks for reading!