Remembering
Mary Ellen “Butch” Prout, 81
Monday, June 19, 2023

“Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.”
- Henry Scott Holland

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” - Jamie Anderson

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell

Camogram, the memories I have of you, and with you, are countless. Not many people get to grow up a stone's throw away from their grandparents, but all 5 of your grandchildren were very lucky. We all looked forward to our summers with you, spent swimming, picking berries, working in the nursery, and getting into other shenanigans!

I will walk down memory lane forever, just to run into you. I will miss our late night chats, countdowns to Christmas, your crazy stories, your homemade applesauce and potato filling, neighborhood "gossip," reminiscing about childhood, your holiday decor, your smile, your kindness, and your unwavering support, to name a few.

I am so thankful that you were able to meet my babies and spend some time with them. I love you dearly, Camogram!

Love always,

Brookie

Mom
A tribute to my mother,
Mary Ellen Esterly Prout

My kids called her Nanny, and Camo-Grandmom.
Camo-Grandmom was a name the grandkids came up with adding in the name of her dog at the time, a black and white Cocker Spaniel named “Camo”. He was a special dog with a very neat appearance.
From the time she was a youngster, mom carried a nickname of “Butch”
Kind of unfitting for a girl, but her father was expecting a boy as his second child, that’s how the nickname came to be.
Mom had a pet duck as a kid and one day her uncle butchered it and made it for dinner. She didn’t partake in the dinner, nor was she fond of her uncle afterwards.
Beyond that, mom married my dad David and raised me and my older brother Fred. We had a memorable time growing up together as a family.
Those that knew her would agree that mom loved to spend time in her kitchen, it’s where she cooked, visited with friends, gazed out the window, and discussed life. We drank coffee, wine and beer….not always in that order.
We ate our Holiday dinners in the kitchen, we would spread into the dining room for larger gatherings.
Christmas Eve is most memorable with lots of gift giving and enjoying family time. She always had a delicious dinner, beautiful decorations and many snacks that followed…
As a kid I remember growing up in five different houses, two of which were built new. The most recent home was constructed by my moms cousin. The home is located on a portion of land that my grandparents John and Lulu Esterly resided on for as long as I knew them.
My father and I worked together to develop a house footprint that my mom agreed to, and the house was built.
My mother had many good friends too many to list!
I am fortunate to have had both of my parents up until recent, to give me guidance and support.
My parents taught me well and instilled lifelong values of goodness and fairness into me. Over the years I’ve adopted some of my mothers recipes for foods such as pickles, pickled green tomatoes, canned tomatoes and squirrel pie to name a few. Mom lived a very good life. I will often think of her and the times we shared together. She really enjoyed and supported her family in many ways and on many occasions. I am happy that she was able to see her children and grandchildren grow into adulthood, and find their way. I am so very happy that she had the experience to meet and love my twin grandsons, they are so cuddly.
A memory that stands out in my mind is that mom took all 5 of her grandchildren on a train trip to Florida to visit her sister, Aunt Louise, and Uncle Jerry. That was a big deal….
My mom had a unique vocabulary and one word I’ll miss hearing her say is “Mayn’t “ look it up it’s a real word. I’ve never heard anyone else use it!
It’s not possible for me to sum up 55 years worth of memories, experiences and stories in a few paragraphs.
Mom, I will miss you for the rest of my life.

Matthew Davis Prout

One final thought to share…

The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows.

Socrates

Nanny you were a sweet kind grandmother throughout my entire life always was there too count on when I needed too talk too someone. You always made sure your grandkids were always happy! I know you are no longer with us and in heaven resting in peace an no longer in pain. ? my heart aches and bleeds how much I miss you right now you were a big part of my life each and everyday even though I live so far away, we communicated each and every night message back and forth for an hour or so. It meant so much hearing from you how you were doing what you did everyday...I could ask you everything and anything I wanted too. You gave me great suggestions advice on everything from just cooking too life aspects.... It will hurt for a long time not being able too message you in the evening. Just even saying hello meant the world too me. You were the only grandmother I had in my life. From when I was a young girl too now as being an older grown women.I appreciated all the things you gave me when I moved into my apartment. Even the musical tea cup knick knack ill never get rid of. I will play it and think of you in heaven now resting easy. I appreciate having these Christmas pictures from you they will always touch my heart. I will always remember our last message last night it will never leave my heart. God bless you Nanny forever and always. You'll be deeply missed by everyone. Your now resting in heaven with your sisters, mother & father.
I will light a candle ?? for you tonight.
Your no longer in our sight but in our hearts forever ??
My heart goes out too Poppop at this hard time for him losing his best friend his cupcake. ? ? ??