Anne Jacobson Arthur, formerly Anne Peterson

Hello friends and family

it is now November and long pást rime for a check in and to shut down this fundraiser.

First,

a huge thanks to all who have donated, shares stories and/or checked in since Mom died.

Every single word of support has meant so much to me and the family!

I cannot adequately express just how much you all have aided my healing.

Mom had a great many good friends, really great people, many of whom she shared with me. For the acceptance you all showed me over the years ~ my heartfelt thanks! And a request?

Please ~ don't be strangers!

I've had the good fortune to stay in touch with many of moms friends and I really hope to maintain these ties.

One ~ to feel close to mom

Two ~ because just like mom ~ I like these people and would like them to be my friends too!

So, watch for a lunch request maybe?

Consider my filling in moms spot at the theater? I love plays too!

To my absolutely amazing family ~ without your constant love and support ~ I might be in a fetal position, covered in tears.

To my dear, sweet, strong with a wide-open heart Big Brother....I am so glad that you were with me, with mom, at the very end. I needed you. She needed you there.

Our Mom ~ who never, ever let us feel anything but loved ~ KNEW that she was surrounded by love when she finally let go.

You continue keeping an eye out for your little sister. Ready to help me when I need you.

I could spend days bragging about my brother Steve.

A truly good man.

My sweet Big Sis. I'm so sorry for all the troubles of your own you are facing. I'm so sorry that I cannot do more to help you.

I've tried sharing all the things Mom didn't have a chance to say to you before she was gone.

Most important ~ please know how sorry she felt. And how very much she loved you!

And, I simply Must thank you and congratulate you. It has been YOUR CHILDREN who have been so loving to me and our Mom these last several years! It is Your kids who made a point to visit, to call, to celebrate with her. It has always been YOUR amazing kids who made their Nanny FEEL special, feel loved, and appreciated.

You did something VERY right with those kids...they are tremendous, open, loving human beings! I love each and everyone of them to the moon. And I promise to continue supporting them anyway I can.

THAT is the way our Mom raised us... family looks after family

And family NEVER engages in feuds...never freezes a member out.... what's happening today is a sad sorry state of affairs...with you stuck in the middle and being hurt. For that...I am so sorry

Fighting to get you all the help you need/deserve? That, I cannot apologize for...

WE (your family) are fighting for your life and we will never quit, never let you down, never- EVER abandon you. Love demands no less!

YOU deserve no less!

To the Fantastic Four +

(Lulu's & Guys kids)

Tony, Allison, Andrea +Alicia & Çarris

Such remarkable, extremely loving and devoted children.

Not only did each of you leave an indelible mark on Nannys heart, you brought her more joy than I think you realize.

She loved you all so very much and was incredibly proud of each and every one of you for the fine people you are!

To my wonderful cousins...who traveled in very unpleasant weather in order to help us send mom off with a party....Thank You All! Your being there brought everything full circle ~ almost as if Grandma Pack were supervising! I only wish I'd had more time to spend WITH you, looking at the old photos, asking questions, reminiscing with you.

Hopefully we can do that soon!

I hope to visit on the way to Walhalla. I'll bring the pictures and lots of questions!

Finally, an update on the plans

We are still planning to adopt a bench by one of the Lakes. Probably Lake of the Isles as benches near the bandshell are already committed.

It didn't work out this year but I have faith we can get our goal accomplished next year!

As soon as I have more information I will fill everyone in.

Hopefully~ we can have a dedication party!

So, that's it for this phase.

I still speak to mom daily (no, she isn't answering) and sometimes I break down over the strangest little things.

But every day gets just a little easier ~ my adjusting to life without my mom, my very best pal.

I miss her so.

Thank you all ~ for everything!!

___________________________

June update

First ~ this adorable pic of mom. I don't think I've ever seen this one before. I just keep finding more and more pictures ~ WAS she THE most photographed person of her generation!?! It seems so!

And, it appear she was sassy from early on! lol

And we have found her bench! Sadly, Lake Harriet was unavailable. But we found a nice spot on Lake Of the Isles near where it connects with Bda Maka Ska. Lakes she used to jog around. Lakes we all used to jog, bike, canoe, swim and ice skate

Memories are everywhere

And it seems like a nice place to sit and visit.

I will share more once we have details for our dedication party planned!

So a HUGE thank you to all who have been able to contribute! Our family is very grateful!

Oh, and it's not too late yet! just FYI

Hi folks.

It's time to provide an update.

I'd like to give you some more information about what we are trying to do, and about mom.

Here goes.

First up... another picture change. There are A LOT of pix to choose from... This is an old, partial family picture, taken at the Pete's house. Looks like summer from the tans! Not sure the event.

I'll try to change pix more often to show the many faces of AnnaJean, Anna, Anne Peterson & Anne Jacobson Arthur, Mom, Nanny.

For those who don't know the story of her name change:

After many years of carrying the name Anne Peterson but no longer being married, mom decided it was time for a change.

She chose to honor both of her loving & devoted fathers (both were taken from her and Grandma far too young!

Jacobson - reclaiming her maiden name to honor her father Eugene Jacobson.

Arthur ~ honoring her stepfather Arthur Pack.

Mom often said she felt their presence as if they were her guardian angels.

I think Grandma Pack, after first making that strange little sound that was almost like tsk tsk..but not... after feigning disapproval, I think she was pleased and proud.

About the Bandshell;

I hadn't known of moms involvement in getting the Harriet Bandshell constructed until after she died!

All those months that I spent rabble rousing and organizing-fighting to have it painted close to the original blue and NOT the mud brown of recent years ~ she said nothing about her work!

I don't know if she'd forgotten?

Had she forgotten that Nancy Anderson was on mprb and appointed her to the Harriet Bandshell Committee? Were the hours spent working with Parker, etal, ensuring that WE would hear beautiful music ~ lost to the ravages of age?

I wish I'd known.

I wish I'd been able to tap that resource... as I'd done so many times over the years.

In any case.

We owe that committee a huge debt!

I hope we began to repay the debt... in BLUE paint!

This is why a tree, a bench or both... near the Bandshell makes such perfect sense.

One can sit and visit with mom while soaking in some music in an absolutely gorgeous setting!

The planting/dedicating and maintenance of a tree =$500

A NEW park bench is $5000. Too much and unnecessary when so many benches need love.

A refurbished & dedicated bench =$2500

Reasonable and reusing a park bench? Sounds more like mama than plopping a new one down!

My goal here is a bench + tree.

IF we can get close, I'll close the gap.

If not... we'll go with one or the other.

In any case, I will keep you posted

Especially about the day we unveil it!

In the meantime...

When Target Field opened, the family had a plaque dedicated to the Anne Arthur Family.. much to moms surprise!

Look for it along the main concourse (where the big mitt is). The plaque is across from the bathrooms/ ticket counter

To say mom was THRILLED and quite surprised?

Total understatement! Lol

Pretty sure this was all Lulu's idea...way to go sis!

I didn't add everything up before I started writing but I KNOW we have raised enough for the tree.

I'll keep sharing and updating.

If folks have other ideas... where/how to share.. I'm all ears.

I am tech challenged and will take all the help I can get!

Thank you friends and family.

Your support means so much to me and is helping me get through the toughest loss of my life.

Thank you!

I'll be in touch again soon!

PM/email/messanger/texted your ideas please!

Thanks

Carin

Hello, my name is Carin Peterson. I'm Anne's youngest daughter. Her running buddy. Her Twins partner, in Mpls and in Iowa. We'd combine a trip to watch the AAA team with family research in Decorah and Cresco. And slowly find our way back home. Either along the river...ever stay at Camp Lacopolis? I highly recommend it. Just north of Reads Landing.

We had many adventures together.

This year, on March 30th...mom began the final adventure and.. she died.

She was involved in helping get the Lake Harriet Bandshell built.

Kudos and thank you!

I was already thinking of a tree or park bench to memorialize her as she so loved our city lakes!

She used to run around Lake of the Isles and Calhoun (it was Calhoun then).

But Harriet, the Bandshell.... she so loved music.. she majored in it in college...it just seems appropriate.

I started this too late to post with her obituary.

So I'm reaching out here.

If you'd like to help memorialize this amazing woman, I'd be most grateful!