In June of 2013, my family and I went to visit my grandparents, Catherine and Clauson Smoot, in Villa Park, CA. Then in their 90's , and my Grandmother being eminently practical, she kept asking all of us grand-kids what it was of theirs we wanted after they died. It was an uncomfortable question to consider, much less answer out loud. Eventually, I said what I really wanted was to record an interview them. Lucky for me that I did.
In the fall of 2014, I was with them again when we took my Grandfather to the doctor for a final diagnosis of a condition that had come on, making him not able to taste food like he was used to. It was pancreatic cancer. Him being strong as an ox, they gave him a few weeks to live, and he lasted 14 months, and it was his personal nightmare that he did not outlive his dear Catherine, that he planned to take care of in the end. But he should have known: Catherine had an iron will to outlive anybody! She lived past her 100th birthday, this picture being me and her on that day. She loved life, but hated losing her abilities, and most of all, losing total control of her surroundings. She passed in 2021, and I hope she is at peace now. Here is my interview of her in 2013. I am going to listen to her tonight, before I put what part of her remains that I have to rest in the Pacific ocean, where part of grandpa was also put to rest. I hope to those she was special, (and boy was she "special"} can enjoy it.

Grandma Interview (2).MP3

In June of 2013, my family and I went to visit my grandparents, Catherine and Clauson Smoot, in Villa Park, CA. Then in their 90's , and my Grandmother being eminently practical, she kept asking all of us grand-kids what it was of theirs we wanted after they died. It was an uncomfortable question to consider, much less answer out loud. Eventually, I said what I really wanted was to record an interview them. Lucky for me that I did. 
In the fall of 2014, I was with them again when we took my Grandfather to the doctor for a final diagnosis of a condition that had come on, making him not able to taste food like he was used to. It was pancreatic cancer. Him being strong as an ox, they gave him a few weeks to live, and he lasted 14 months, but he was never quite himself, and didn't have his trademark energy ever again. He was always mentally present, but didn't want to talk for more than short spurts. His body withered, and his voice changed. I'm very happy to share this interview with everyone for whom he meant so much, in the voice that we all knew, for so many marvelous years that we had him in our lives. This is the voice that I will remember.

Alex Blatt