After a whirlwind of health issues over the last several weeks, my maternal grandmother Elizabeth took her last breath this morning. She certainly didn’t go without a fight. There were at least three times over the last few weeks that I was sure it was the end but she rallied around and pulled through, not quite ready to go yet. She has always been a tough bird – you’d have to be to go through some of the things she has been through.
![circa 1987/88](http://keepingupwiththeallens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Tia-baby-Ali-691x1024.jpeg)
At 94, my grandma had lived a very long, complete life. A woman of determination, she managed to live independently in her home until just a few weeks ago. Into her early 90s she still drove her car, went to the grocery store, shoveled her own sidewalk and refused to wear a hearing aid {against everyone else’s request}. Astonishingly, the only medication she took until very recently was her eye drops. She had so many friends and experiences and had an extremely rich life.
![Holding her grandson for the first time. 1990](http://keepingupwiththeallens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Tia-Ali-new-baby-John.jpeg)
I’m not completely sure how my grandma became Grandma “Tia” – her friends called her Tin {something to do with Tin Lizzie because her name was Elizabeth} and my brother couldn’t say “tin” when he was little, so I guess “tin” turned into “tia” eventually.
![My 18th birthday with my grandma and John, who was named after my late grandfather.](http://keepingupwiththeallens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/j-a-tia.jpg)
I have so many wonderful memories of my “Grandma Tia” throughout my life. She has been very supportive, especially of my education, and I have always maintained regular contact with her. My grandma was sharp as a tack, witty, smart and very stubborn. She rocked the crossword puzzles and was always so with it. I hear she was also quite the bridge player. She was really involved with her church and her neighborhood.
![Me with my mom and grandma in 2007](http://keepingupwiththeallens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ali-mom-tia-1024x768.jpg)
While I will miss my regular conversations with my grandma, I will cherish the years and years of memories I have of her and know that she is at peace.
![At my college graduation in 2008.](http://keepingupwiththeallens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Graduation-Dinner-Ceremony-006-1024x768.jpg)