A little over 2 years ago, and right before her 100th birthday, I spent an afternoon interviewing my grandmother and chronologically detailing her life’s history, as well as her inspiring words of wisdom.  It is with great sadness, but happiness, that my grandmother passed away on December 28th, 2016 – just a couple days after I visited her on Christmas Day.  Last week we held a memorial service honoring her life.

While watching the video I produced just a few years ago, I was reminded that Mary Lee Schuermann lived a full live dedication to faith, family and friends – she had eight children, 23 Grandchildren and 33 Great Grandchildren. I was truly honored to have known such a strong and amazingly inspirational woman.  Check out her story below…

She didn’t have any degrees or letters behind her name, so Domestic Engineer doesn’t even come close to describing her. She was a hairdresser, barber, seamstress, chef, accountant, psychologist, healer of all wounds, micromanager and multi-tacker.  She was a true CEO in her own right and lived by the following TRULY INSPIRATIONAL quotes:

Favorite Quotes from Grandma…

“Don’t wish for it – work for it!” 

“If it’s to be… it’s up to ME!”

“To every problem, there is a solution!”

“Whatever you do, put your whole heart into it!”

“The more you give, the more you get!”

“Treat others the way you want to be treated!”

“You never go wrong by doing right!”

“We all take our own skins to Market!”

“If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t ever be able to laugh at all when you’re old!”

For me, the project of documenting my grandmothers’ life was not just about telling just her story. It was about telling her stories in her own words to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as many generations to come.

The stories told in her video sparked more stories I wish I could have captured. But, being 100 years old and being impressed with new technology like a new washing machine, the telephone, and the car, being filmed I could sense was one of her fears.   At the risk of taking my professional capabilities personal, I am glad I had the opportunity to document some of her life.

Inspiration comes in many ways! My grandmother has always inspired me. It was truly an honor and a privilege to document her life through her own words. CLICK HERE to see the photos I took of her 100^th Birthday Party.