Ellen Morris Marriott
(Hyrum Marriott)

Tuesday 16
Yes, Mom says she is going to die so stop a doctor on his way home to come and give her a shot, call Dr. Bartlett, he will come after this passed off, you should have heard her give orders about the windows, doors, heat and soon in that loud, strong, expressive voice, no dying person could have done that, called for food.

Wednesday 19
Hard to satisfy Mom today. Close the door, open the door, over and over and over. Turn up the heat to 90, open the door and soon. Now she wants her supper, she is hungry, plenty of food in the frig, in the bread box and above the stove. Turn down my bed and get my gown, then the bedtime orders and never missed one.

Thursday 20
Mom seems to be more alert today. She asked for her knitting, it has been over a year since she touched it, and didn’t do anything now. Pointed to the pictures on the wall and said Russel, Paul, Woodrow, Willard, they are all in Washington and have been on missions for the church. Willard has always been the Father of the family. Lady, you stay with me, this is your home as long as I have one, I am 99 years old and cannot be left alone, you stay.

Friday 21
Quite all afternoon, had her supper, tells me this is my home as long as she has one, that I must stay all night, plenty of beds, and if I don’t have a gown, I can sleep in one of hers. I must stay with her, she is 99 years old and cannot be left alone, she needs care. Then came the bedtime orders, over and over and over.

Saturday 22
Mom is praying for everybody today and asking Heavenly Father, when her day is finished, take her to the realms of glory to be with the exalted. Then open the window, close the door, turn the heat up to 90. Then she is hungry and supper.

Sunday 23
Helen, our son, Paul and family were up today, but they couldn’t talk with Mom, she just can’t hear. They took some pictures, so Mom enjoyed them and especially the two cute little girls.

Monday 24
Mom has been praying most of the afternoon, over and over, she seems to be wound up like an alarm clock. The only difference is you can turn off the alarm, but Mom keeps on until she is exhausted. After all of that, where does she get the strength to give those bedtime orders, over and over and over?

Tuesday 25
Mom has been real quiet today, quite a contrast to yesterday. I was folding newspaper back and forth. She watched me and when I had finished, I showed it to her. She says, “why, that is a boat”, so it was.

Wednesday 26
This is one of those days when you couldn’t please Mom no matter how you, when you did, if you did. She gave so many orders all afternoon that when she went to bed, she was too exhausted to give even one order.

Thursday 27
Yes, this is another day when Mom is going to die. She said she would give me $5.00 if I would call a doctor to give her a shot in the leg. Call Dr. Bartlett. She wants to know if I am going to stay with her all night, she is 99 years old, can’t be left alone, needs care. This is your home as long as I have one. Lady, you stay here.

Friday 28
Mom is praying today for everybody. I was folding clothes and ironing, mom said that I brought my clothes up there and did my washing and ironing at her expense. I pulled the curtain back and she enjoyed watching those flakes of snow cover down. She wants to know if all the windows and doors are locked.

Saturday 29
Mom is interested in the now and is it coming down. Snow wet and cold, yet she thought Doris should take her up the canyon. We cannot talk with her, as she does not hear, therefore, she doesn’t talk like she used to.

Sunday 30
From what Doris says, Mom must do all of her complaining and ordering and wanting in the morning. Then, when I get there in the afternoon, she is all worn out and exhausted. It has been snowing, its cold and wet, yet Mom wants the window opened, the back door opened, close the door, and on and on. Have Doris come home and take me up the canyon to get the fresh air. Oh Brother.

Martha