One family, five women and a generation gap spanning more than a century.
During a recent family gathering, 108-year-old Mabel Graves, her daughter Helen Rossman, her granddaughter Deb Hottmann, her great-granddaughter Tami Acheson and her great-great-granddaughter 6-month-old Isabelle Acheson got together for a five-generation photo.
“It’s just amazing,” said Deb Hottmann. “I just couldn’t believe that we cover three different centuries.”
Hottmann said the family history really does begin with Mabel Graves, or Nonie as the family calls her, who was born in Lake Orion on March 15, 1895.
The mother of four, Mabel met her husband Floyd while she was working as a Lake Orion telephone operator.
According to the family story, Floyd Grave’s sister was working as the Oxford telephone operator when she asked Mabel if she would speak with a gentleman who wished to talk with her. Mabel said yes, and soon found herself agreeing to meet Floyd Grave.
Hottmann said her grandfather hopped the cable car to Lake Orion and the couple went out on a date soon after that.
“My grandmother would say she knew from the very moment she met him that he was the person she would spend her life with,” said Hottmann.
The couple eventually settled in Oxford where they raised three sons and a daughter. During World War II, all three boys went to war, and Hottmann said Mabel was always thankful they all came home.
“She’s a very patriotic person,” she added.
In fact, Mabel is the oldest living member of the American Legion Post #108 Women’s Auxiliary, and was one of the women to start the MOMS Club during World War II for women who had men in the service.
“She is also the oldest living member of the Oxford Free United Methodist Church,” added Hottmann, “and the oldest living person in Oakland County.”
Many family traditions have been carried on by the five women including needlework, crafts and baking.
“Nonie made a substantial second income by making crafts and selling them from her home,” said Hottmann. “We all do some kind of needlework.”
The family has also passed down Mabel’s mother’s molasses cookie recipe from the mid-1800s that calls for a whole bottle of molasses.
“This isn’t one of those recipes that claims to be a molasses cookie and then includes ginger and such with a dash of molasses,” said Hottmann. “This is a strong rolled and cut molasses cookie.”
Great-granddaughter Tami Acheson said her fondest memories of her great-grandmother are the homemade popcorn balls she would give out during Halloween.
“Tami said that was the only time she ever had popcorn balls,” said Hottmann.
Whenever the family is able to get together, the five women are reminded by many things of the differences in generations.
Some of the stories Mabel would tell her daughter and granddaughter about American Indians are just one example.
“She has actual memories of Indians coming to her home, while Isabelle is the other side with all the experience on computers,” said Hottmann. “It’s bizarre to think of that.”
Modes of transportation popularly used is another clear generation gap.
“Nonie’s main form of transportation she controlled herself was probably horse and buggy,” said Hottmann, “She’s never flown, never been on a train, and always had someone else drive her in a car.”
On the other side of the coin, little Isabelle had taken her first flight at the age of 5 months. Hottmann laughed when thinking of what people will be using to get around when her granddaughter is driving.
“Just imagine what Isabelle will be driving even compared with today,” she said.
Today Mabel Graves lives in the Fergeson Nursing Home in Lapeer.
Despite the 108 year age gap, Mabel and her great-great-granddaughter Isabelle are forever joined by a common family thread.
“We are definitely a devout Christian family,” said Hottmann. “And I know that Nonie is very proud we are carrying on our tradition of faith.”