Memories of Mother

This past summer Katie Ann Armga Larson asked the siblings to complete surveys on our parents. There were no right or wrong answers, just memories. It is interesting to note the consistencies.

I'm starting with Mother but will post answers for Dad next week.

Favorite flower:
LuAnn -- red rose, peony, iris
Charlie -- lilac
Cherie -- rose
Carol -- I once asked mother what her favorite flower was and she admitted she had none.
Pat -- peonies, irises or lilacs, not sure which though
Mike -- roses
Bruce -- bearded iris, rose

Favorite Scripture:
LuAnn -- Psalm 31
Carol -- I can't think of a particular scripture. I think she loved the Book of Mormon.

Favorite hymn:
LuAnn -- Because I Have Been Given Much
Charlie -- We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet
Cherie -- Because I Have Been Given Much
Carol -- I'd just have to say that she loved church music. She loved to sing "O Divine Redeemer".

Favorite meal:
LuAnn -- George Kays Chinese
Charlie -- anything she could get someone else to cook
Cherie -- anything she didn't have to cook, Chinese
Carol -- eat at George Kays
Pat -- dining out
Mike -- stuffed green peppers
Bruce -- depended on the restaurant

Favorite candy:
LuAnn -- chocolate
Charlie -- chocolate
Cherie -- divinity
Carol -- Idaho Spuds candy bar
Pat -- Idaho Spud
Mike --no idea
Bruce -- chocolate

Favorite season:
LuAnn -- summer
Charlie -- summer
Cherie -- spring
Carol -- I don't know that she had a favorite. I think she liked aspects of all seasons.
Pat -- Holidays
Mike -- fall
Bruce -- spring

Favorite holiday:
LuAnn -- Christmas
Charlie -- Christmas
Cherie -- Christams
Carol -- Christmas (loved the decorations and giving presents)
Pat -- all
Mike -- Christmas
Bruce -- Christmas -- the gifting

Favorite hobby:
LuAnn -- shopping
Charlie -- gossiping
Cherie -- shopping for bargains
Carol -- shopping, singing barbershop, loving her grandchildren
Pat -- singing
Mike -- singing
Bruce -- spoiling grandkids, shopping

Favorite fruit:
LuAnn -- apple, watermelon
Charlie -- apple
Cherie -- strawberries
Carol -- no favorite
Pat -- strawberries
Mike -- apples
Bruce -- apples and strawberries

Favorite vegetable:
LuAnn -- onion, corn, beets
Charlie -- onions
Cherie -- onion
Carol -- disliked string beans -- her mother's favorite and she said she had to eat too often as a child
Pat -- radishes and onions
Mike -- onions and tomatoes
Bruce -- onion (onion sandwiches)

Favorite television program:
LuAnn -- MASH
Charlie -- I Love Lucy
Carol -- MASH
Mike -- MASH, Bewitched
Bruce -- Mission Impossible

Of what accomplishment was she most proud?
LuAnn -- 8 kids
Charlie -- her 8 kids
Carol -- Church choirs that she directed
Pat -- her singing/conducting choirs and participation in Sweet Adelines
Mike -- singing ability, her family and how we turned out, heritage
Bruce -- family, church involvement and singing

What made her laugh the hardest?
LuAnn -- MASH series
Charlie -- Cuzzi
Cherie -- her grandkids
Carol -- anything funny. Mother had a distinctive laugh that was easily recognized. She loved to laugh.
Pat -- her grandchildren
Mike -- her kids
Bruce -- Grandkids

What was her most pleasant memory?
LuAnn -- of her mother and father
Charlie -- getting married in the temple
Carol -- letter from Marge Pond complimenting her for the excellent performance of a choir she directed for Stake Conference
Pat -- not sure what this would be, but I would guess spending time with her siblings and/or children

What vocation did she favor the most?
LuAnn -- housewife and mother
Charlie -- sleeping
Cherie -- music teacher
Carol -- being a manager at the Orthopedics office
Pat -- singing
Mike -- being in her home
Bruce -- singing, entertaining

Did she have any nicknames?
LuAnn -- Betts
Cherie -- Betts
Carol -- Betts
Pat -- Betts
Mike -- not that I remember

What was her secret talent?
LuAnn -- singing Italian Opera
Charlie -- getting someone else to cook for her
Cherie -- spending money
Carol -- shopping for clothes and finding bargains, soothing crying babies, loving her grandchildren. She was a competitive grandma! She wanted to be each grandchild's favorite grandma!
Pat -- she was the original 30 minute cook
Mike -- beats me
Bruce -- creating havoc