06/29/2026
This isn’t an original reflection. Many people have shared beautiful words about my grandma, and this is the one that has always stayed with me and made me especially proud to be her granddaughter.
Many have said that if there was ever a person who embodied the Irish Claddagh ring, it was her.
The Claddagh ring has three symbols: the heart represents love, the hands holding the heart represent friendship and connection, and the crown above the heart represents loyalty.
Let’s start with friendship and connection. She stayed connected to friends and family all over the world—from Ireland to Colorado, and probably twice back around the globe.
I remember wondering how she found the time to stay so connected to so many people. My mom, aunts, and uncles would just laugh and say, “She was always on the telephone.” The phone practically lived in her hand. They joked that the phone cord was like a broom—it always seemed to have last night’s dinner hanging from it.
Wherever she went, she built friendships and connections. People were drawn to her light, her sense of humor, and her love. She shared stories of car washes and crazy things she did back in the day.
Love. Grandma had the biggest heart. She made the most of every day and always found herself in interesting, hilarious adventures.
And finally, loyalty.
Grandma had loyalty in her DNA. She couldn’t help it. I always felt like she had my back—to the point that I think she was still holding grudges from 20 years ago.As we remember her today, we celebrate her life. And man, was she full of life. A life full of love, friendship, loyalty, laughter, stories, adventures, and connection.
I see those qualities living on in my aunts and uncles, and in my mom. ❤️
Today, we get to carry those qualities forward in our own lives, and because of that, a part of her will always remain with us.
I am so grateful for the time we had with her, and I will always be proud to call Rita May my grandmother.