Women's History Month Pearl Mae Figert

This is my Great Grandma Pearl Mae Figert (1887-1990). Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Walter Figert (1883-1978), who raised 11-children and raised more than half during the Depression.

I never heard Great Grandma complain about life. She had a way of saying things that made me laugh or take pause and think and then laugh. I loved her with the twinkle in her eye and smile with the stories she told.

It was a hot August Sunday afternoon in Wabash, Indiana at my Grandma Ruby and Grandpa Kenny's farm. Great Grandma drove into the gravel drive area with Great Grandpa in the shoot gun position. She rolled up the driver side window, shut the door and walked into the farmhouse.

I was baffled as a 6th grader. "Why did Great Grandma leave Great Grandpa in the car with the windows rolled up with many layers of clothes?" And "Can Great Grandpa see me looking through his eyeglasses?"

I walked into the farmhouse and asked Great Grandma if Great Grandpa was okay in the car with the windows rolled up. She exclaimed and laughed: "He is fine because he is always cold."

My Grandma Ruby, Mom, Aunt Judy and Great Grandma walked outside as I followed. Great Grandma entered the driver's side and asked Great Grandpa as she picked long white hairs off of his dark suit jacket: "Have you been seeing another woman? There are white hairs on your jacket?"

Without missing a beat, Great Grandpa responded, "Your the only woman I've been with."

We broke out in laughter as Great Grandma started the car and drove away.

Even though success is measured in different ways in 2021, my Great Grandma and her sidekick in life, Great Grandpa had life skills many of us lack along with love and laughter. They were successful in my eyes.