Two letters from 'Great Aunt Loisie" Lois Hattie Wixom Shaffer, Earl Wixom's aunt

Marilu-I did not know Great Aunt Loisie well enough to remember anything of the times I may have been around her, but my mother knew and loved her very well. She was a favorite aunt whose name I heard very often in family conversation at home and at Grandma and Grandpa Wixom's. Mom continued speaking fondly of her and sharing memories of her sparkling, loving personality to the end of her life.  

69 N State Street

Salt Lake City Utah, 

February 22 1960

Dear Lyolya Lu and Family

It is a pleasure to get your letter, There is a tie of great strength in our lives, It's a wonderful thing, ties of family and friends, that give our lives strength, I have a poem that expresses this thought, "If your mind is turned to a person in a way that impresses you, kneel and pray for them, they may need your prayer, " 

The day your letter came I needed a lift. As you know we never feel tall enough to meet all of lifes problems, but some days we feel shorter than we do other days. this was one of my short days, and your letter with its closing words "Much Love to one of my favorite people lifted me, and I wen t forth ready to meet the world, with its problems. 

At Christmas time Carol Gay gave me a small picture of herself, with the words "To my favorite auntie, " then she whispered to me, 'I have another one in Idaho Falls, and I said that's all right, for you are mine, I saw you first. I want to spend a week en with our family in Layton soon, I am writing a letter to them now. A special letter to Carol Gay. Just a little special love at this time, as I also send to you. 

I am most interested in your interest of life. Your Family, ETC, then always of your church activity. What a blessing these church calls are to us. Thats where we gain a personal Testimony. I am sure Our Father expects us to take deep interest in Our Indian members. He has given them a promise to this effect. I am most thankful for the work I have been called to in the Church. My neighbor in the next Apt to m my age has served in the Church as I have in every organization, in leadership and teaching, most important of all. A new Ward Teacher was assigned to this District and the first visit he made he wanted a full report of our Church activity. this was his own thought. I said "Let's just say Annie and I have served in every capasity, but Pres of the Elders Quorum". But no one needs the Ward Teachers Message more than do we, so he settled for that. 

I typed a few notes of a Missionary Testimonial. I thought I would put in the Round Robin letter, but I think I will send it to you folk first, my typing is very poor as you see, I just sent it to those who love me in spite of it. 

You of course would want a report of my health, First I better give a report of My Sister Deand (Sarah Alice Dean Wixom)  health. She came to Salt Lake for a visit but her health has been poor. But she is getting good care and tests at the L.D.S. hospital, where they find she has Thyroid trouble but not malignant, and she will not be operated, her assimilation is poor but they are following this through, and checking many other tests. We feel that she is better, and will be released from the Hospital soon, and get better as treatments are worked out for her, and proper vitamins etc worked out, that will help her to build her body strength. 

Little Me, had a check up by my Dr, who brought me through a bad heart condition. He says I am in almost perfect health. I nursed at the same Hospital he was a part of, before I retired. Last week when he said I am in good health, He said, "Mrs. Shaffer it's a joy to care for you, I don't want you to to ever become old, and feeble. I said "Well Dr, I am in your hands. He said, No you are in higher and safer hands than mine. But I hope He won't let you grow Old and Feeble. But if he does you can count on me taking good care of you. 

I had my eyes checked for new glasses the week before, I had just recovered from the Flu, and I had a pain in my neck and ears. I rubbed my neck and that disturbed the eye test. The Dr. said "Don't rub your neck and I will examine your ears. After the eye test he took me to another office room. He examined my nose, mouth throat, then my ears. Then he said Mrs. Shaffer you may have a pain in your neck. You do not have a pain in your ears. I laughed a little and he said I don't mean that as it may sound a pain in your neck, but with your ears in such perfect condition you cannot have pain in them. He of course was right, and who wants a pain in their ear when they can have a pain in their neck that hurts as bad as an ear ache. So here I am In the best of health, And one of these days when I feel just wonderful. I have the premission of my Dr. to walk out on this old word, But never have I walked out on anything yet, so I don't depend on me doing that. 

Well I better bring my remarks to a close or you will get nothing done this week. 

The very deepest Love, 

(Handwritten) Thanks for the pet name you gave me Lyolya

Aunt Loisie

140 2nd ave

Salt Lake City Utah, 

December 29 1960

My very dear Ones, 

i am pleased to get your card and yearly report. I have been waiting for your message before I wrote. 

Daisy her husband and I were at Earl & Olives home for a little visit the day after Christmas. That was Monday. Olive read your Christmas Card to us. We think it is so very nice. Something very special. I said I will get a card from them in a few days. Olive said they may not have your address, as I have moved. but I said I know I will get a card from them soon. And I do love your card and message. 

Me being so sure I would get a card & message from you, reminded me of when Shar's reception was held. Adena phoned me the day before the reception and ask me if I had a way to come to the reception as the reception was at a Social Center out of town. I said Earl & Olive will bring me. Adina said "Oh, you have made arrangements with them?? I said No. but they will bring me." Adina tried to laugh-but this was getting a little out of hand, so I laughed and said 'Well, let's think of it this way. If the sun comes up in the morning and shines all day they will bring me. If not there will be no reception." Adina was by now fully impressed. She asked Aunt Lois do you have such confidence in our family? Well. I confessed - I haven't been right at your heels for years. With you being mindful of me. On the night in question I dressed Little me in a go to a reception dress, set my gift out ready to go. and in a short time Earl came - he said Olive is waiting in the car. Are you ready . We started and I told him of the question of them coming for me. He said, "Ok, Olive & I had a laugh and we were on our way. That's just how sure I am of getting your Card and report Christmas. Thanks. 

As they are making state street wider from the Egal Gate north. I was in the line of progress at 69 No. State, So my Daisy and her husband moved me and with boxes & boxes of Genealogy, in addition to my gathering of years. "Great was the moaning there off" I have some treasures like the Lady that had her things all in boxes and marked one box said fasteners that don't match another strings too short to use-and so on.

I am delighted with the old Castle of a home I have an apt. in- and in the same ward. A very dear friend lives across the hall from me. I said we are witches in a Castle. That adds charm. 

Daisy & her husband live in a very nice front apt. in the basement. Our family are all getting along well. 

I must tell you this. One of my Cousins' 5 year old grand daughter said "I hate the Jews" Her GM said you do not hate the Jews. Jesus was a Jew." The child said, "well Grandma-he might have been a Jew when you knew him, but he is a Mormon now"  

Love and Bless you-

Aunt Loisie