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Melissa’s
Studio - Message for
November, 2008
Majella
with her
painting
of an old mill near McCall, Idaho.
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Majella Evalone Tyra
Johnston
1919
– 2008
My mother had an art
degree and taught me to look at the world through
artist’s eyes. She also played the same classical LP every night for
years during my childhood as I went to sleep. It was a “Stereo in Hi
Fi” demo album which had been sent to the Lewiston Morning Tribune,
where my father was Managing Editor. No one else wanted it, so he
brought it home. Looking back, I see that it was her moment to be an
adult after the kids were in bed. It instilled in me a lifelong love of
classical music and I think back to childhood every time I hear one of
the pieces on that recording.
Majella and me at University
House Residents' Art Show
with her portrait of Allen as a child.
L to R, Steve,
Melissa, Oz and Allen.
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Majella's carvings of
Lil' Ozzie and a baby bird.
Majella on family farm, age 18 - Majella in her Seattle yard, age 81
The Rhubarb Queen -
Still a Little Tart after all these Years
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She was a student of
many diverse topics, from art to gardening to
history to politics to word origins; buying books and faithfully adding
notes in the margins, multiple bookmarks and tucked in articles about
the subject or the author which spanned decades. Those of us lucky
enough to get some of her books will have years of little messages from
her as we look up information the old fashioned way.
Majella, sainted
daughter-in-law Nancy and her twin Bob at the Seattle Greenlake
Lumineria Christmas Walk.
I say again what I
said at my father’s memorial services – I feel so
lucky to have been born into this particular family. And my
brothers
and sisters in law and step kids and grandkids have become even more
precious now. This morning it came into my head that I now see
the
world through my eyes and hers – for her.
You had a great run,
Old Lady. I could do a helluva lot worse than to turn out like you.
Thanks for everything. “You done good.”
Your Daughter-Person
melissa
Majella's carvings of me and a
crouching cat. For a woman who didn't especially care for cats, she
sure carved some great ones. When asked why carve a cat she said,
"Because that's what's in the wood."
Majella with my dear friends Ann
Scherrer and Nancy Webster at my art show at Jules Gallery
in the Pearl District, Portland.
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