Our Family Tree

"Wife of Thomas Edward Bodkin. Known as "Grandma Ba" by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.¶ She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and always walked with a cane. She was, nevertheless, quite spry. She would often challenge her great grandchildren by throwing down her cane, bending over and touching the floor with the palms of both hands.¶ She was an avid gardener, cook, seamstress and loved to quilt. Even at an advanced age, she loved to go out daily to pull weeds and tend her garden. She was very resourceful and used to collect dandelions from her yard with which she would make "greens" and "dandelion wine".¶ Every evening before retiring for bed, she would undo her beautiful straight hair which she always wore up in a very tight bun on top of her head and brush it out completely. Rumor has it among family members (and never disputed by her) was that Grandma Ba was "part Indian." Even at an advanced age, it was quite beautiful and hung down below her waistline. Afterwards, she would take a shot of Mogan David wine before going to bed and with a gleam in her eye she'd tell the grandchildren that it's what kept her 'young and beautiful'."

transcription of tombstone inscription is "Emma Bodkin".