She was 90, and a matriarch for many.

More importanty, she was a personal role model to me about all things shown and hidden, about class and dignity, and revelations, having been brought up with maids and butlers, and still sharing inside scoops with me, with a cigarette in one hand, and a glass of chardoney in the other.

She had many great-grandkids, and zero disdain for other races.

She clued me in about the real world. I knew she was very special.

I loved her.