Aunt Donna's Memories

J oyous

U nderstanding

D evoted

Y outhful


Easter Extravaganza and Christmas Eve fondue party

Two special memories I have of Judy are the fantastic Easter egg hunt at Judy’s parents, Ivan and Hava Bates, in Basin City and Pasco; and Christmas Eve fondue dinner at Joe & Judy’s home on Millwood Lane in Franklin County.

Every year the Christmas Eve dinner was bigger and bigger, with five kids and anyone else who dared to attend. Both Joe & Judy’s families would come and have a great time celebrating Jesus’ birth. Ron calls it the perfect storm. So many things happening at the same time. Then the five kids got older and started getting married and started having babies. Things really got busy then!!
And Judy loved every minute of it. You could always find her by the sound of her laughter after telling one more great joke or re-telling one more story about someone in the family or one of her many friends. After the traditional fondue dinner, everyone would gather in the living room for the talent show and a few games. Big Joe would read the Bible verses that tell of the birth of Jesus. We would play and sing Christmas carols with the hand-made bells. Then it was Judy’s turn to hand out gifts. Everyone would get something (usually several somethings) from cologne for the boys and scarves for the girls to pajamas and movies. Judy always gave the women a chance to pick one of her craft creations as a special gift from her.

Easter was also a very special time. Helping hide bags and bags of candy, toys, eggs, money, peeps, and drinks took at least an hour! All the while the little kids had to stay in the house and no peeking! Then it was always the youngest ones who went first with the older kids waiting impatiently for the ok from the grown-ups to find it all!! There was always a few super hiding places that the kids might miss without some coaching and the special eggs Ivan had put in the mix that were worth a little more than candy. As always, everyone was welcome and expected back next time.

I will always cherish the memories I have of Judy.

Donna Gorham