Anna G. Stoscup (1902-1955)

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Thinking of Grandma on her birthday, January 18, 1902

Grandma Stoscup, long gone before I was born, remains the grandparent I know the least about.

I do know she, like Grandpa, was Canadian. She was born Anna Gertrude Pauli and she married Wilfred George Stoskopf in (I believe) Canada. Her obituary mentions that she had four brothers, Harvey, Leo, Walter & George Pauli of Stratford, Ontario.

All three children (Robert Charles b. 1927, Gordon Wilfred b. 1931 & William Andrew b. 1935) were born in the U.S.A..

At some time she and Wilfred must have become American citizens because on March 6, 1945 she (and the three children) followed her husband in changing her married name from Stoskopf to Stoscup in the State of Michigan, County of Wayne.

Grandma Stoscup at Mom & Dad's wedding, January 7, 1950 - Dad never talked a lot or deep about his parents. I think this was simply a result of a happy upbringing more than anything else. For example he'd say things like as a child he wasn't really aware of the Great Depression growing up. I don't think those worries were passed down to him from his parents.

(The woman on the right is the wife of Pastor Madsen, the man who married Mom & Dad.)

The two Grandmas - Grandma Martha Findahl and Grandma Anna Stoscup at Mom & Dad's house for his birthday 1953.

Thanksgiving 1954 - Grandma is surrounded by (left-to-right) Grandpa & Grandma Findahl, Grandpa Wilfred Stoscup (foreground), Uncle Gordon Stoscup (hidden behind him), Uncle Bill Stoscup and Mom. Dad must have been taking the picture.

1951 - Grandma with Uncle Bill and Dad Robert at her home.

Again at Grandma & Grandpa's home with Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma Stoscup, Dad's brother Gordon and I believe youngest brother Bill is taking the photo. I think this is Mom's 24th birthday in 1952.

One story I remember about Grandma is that she was a wonderful cook. I understand from her boys that even 'the flops' were delicious!

1951 - Grandma Anna Stoscup & Dad Robert.

She was lost to us at an early age in the year 1955.  I do not have many photographs of her and can only wish I had a chance to know her but cherish the few images that have survived.

This is Uncle Billy the youngest of the three brothers ca. 1961 at our home on Patton in Detroit.

Apologies to my brother David for yet another photo from his 1st birthday party but I like this of my Uncle Gordie and as we are running low on good pictures of him I just had to include this one from February 1956.  

Perhaps it will help take the edge off if I include this picture of sister Shirley with Dad Robert from 1957.  As with Uncles Gordie and Billy, I'm running low on decent pictures of all of the three boys (including Dad) of Grandma Anna Stoscup.  This was from a series of slides we have which was misplaced and up to now not used.  It has found a home here.

The only piece I have seen with written words of Grandma's to Dad from 1948 when he turned 21 years old.  I think it's a nice way to end today's thoughts of her.