Kathryn Sophia Sanford

Link to grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Sanford&GSfn=...

My mother, Kathryn Sophia Sherda was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, on May 27, 1917. She was the third child of Reverend Zachary John Sherda and Clasena Bosch Sherda. Her elder siblings were Joan born in 1915 and John born in 1916. So all three children were very close in age. Mom remained the baby of the family for six years. Then her brother Henry (AKA Harry) was born in 1923. Mom adored Harry. She told many stories about how smart and amazing he was.

Mom’s parents were both born in Michigan. But Mom’s paternal grandmother immigrated from The Netherlands as a little girl. Her name was Tryntje Land Sherda, but was known Kathryn and my mom is named after her. Mom was fascinated with her grandmother’s tales of a beautiful land of tulips, canals and wooden shoes. Mom had a phobia about cats. She did not like to be near them. This resulted in her disliking her own name. The Dutch did not pronounce the “th” in Kathryn and the name came out as “CAT”. Later in life Mom became known as Kay.

As a Christian Reformed minister, my Grandfather had several assignments. Joan and John were born in Indiana, while Mom and Harry were born in Illinois. When Mom was about 13, they moved back to Grand Rapids Michigan. My grandfather preached several sermons on Sunday (many in the Dutch language).

Mom became a licensed cosmetologist. She worked for several years in this field before meeting and marrying my father. While she quit working after she married, she kept her license current all the way until her death. This is so typical of my mother. She always said “You must be ready to support yourself if something bad happens”. Mom was always prepared. She was a saver, never living beyond her means.

My parents married on May 26, 1947. A little joke in the family is that they married the day before her birthday so she would not be a 30 year old bride. Art and Kay were married by her father in her parent’s home. It was a simple ceremony and no photos were taken. Having been raised in the Christian Reformed religion which outlawed dancing and motion pictures, this union at first was problematic. My father was a theater manager. My grandmother is quoted as saying “We expected him to show up in a plaid jacket with a megaphone”. My dad was a very personable guy and my grandparents came to love him.

Much like her dad’s changing venues for his ministry, her husband also changed cities several times in the early days of their marriage.

On Christmas Eve 1951 my grandmother passed away. Mom was extremely close to her mother. Mom was always sad on Christmas Eve.

My parents had a difficult time having children. My brother was born in Saginaw on October 27, 1952. He was either stillborn or died shortly after birth. Mom was still in the hospital and unable to go to his funeral. Then I was born in 1954 and my sister in 1955. Mom said they wanted more, but she never got pregnant again.

Mom was talented at both sewing and crocheting. As little girls, she made us & our dolls, matching crocheted dresses. For the Pontiac centennial, she made us dresses and bonnets. My favorite Halloween costume was also sewed by my mother. Our Barbie dolls were well dressed by her.

Speaking of Barbie dolls: My mother kept my Barbie case. I found it after her death. I opened it a full six years after her death. Inside she had placed news articles about Barbie: “Barbie is Sweet Sixteen”. “Barbie turns Thirty”, etc. My mother frequently displayed psychic abilities. She must have known that I would start collecting Barbie as an adult!

Mom was not known for her cooking. My sister and I often joke about this. But when I think back, there were several things that she made that we loved: porcupine meatballs, meatloaf, banana bread and her legendary pumpkin pie. I think her “bad cooking rap” came more from her constantly saying that she was a bad cook, rather than it being true.

Mom kept a journal from 1954-1973 which corresponds with my birth and my younger sister’s graduation from high school. I knew nothing of this until I found it after her death in 1996. I read it “cover-to-cover”. I tells the story of my and my sister’s childhood from her perspective. It discusses historical events and our reaction, such as the Kennedy assassination alongside mundane events such as loosing baby teeth. It is a treasure.

My father passed away in 1986. Mom continued to live independently in her home until her death in 1996. She was the best mother a girl could have. I miss her every day.