If you're over 40, are your grandparents still alive?

[Fairy]

My grandmother called during a conference call I was on the other day. The nature of my conference call was casual, so I put them on hold and came back quickly, as she was fine, so I said I'd call her back, which I did. But one person on my call said, wow, you have a grandparent who is alive?! I have two, actually, natural grandparents that are alive, and two that are steps who are both in that vicinity of age as my natural ones. So, it made me think, and I thought I'd do this very scientific poll, here. Sorry under 40's, it's not that you don't count, I just am thinking older, here.

Only count your grandparents that you were raised with. If they're technically a step but they were there from the time you were 2, then that counts for this poll; if they remarried your grandparent when you were 20 but you love them like your own, that does not count for this poll.

If you're gonna be 40 this year sometime, please vote like you're 40, even if you're still 39.

Ok, go.

[georgiegirl]

I'm 39 and I have one grandparent sill alive, my paternal grandmother,

[elektra]

I didn't vote because I am under 40 (all 4 grandparents of mine have passed away), but I am responding in the thread about DH. He is over 40 and his grandmother is still alive. She is 100!

[kristenk]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

[JBaxter]

My grandmother passed when I was 27 she was only 63

[crl]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

Me too. My last grandparent died when I was in my twenties. My family tends to have kids late so our generations are spread out.

Dh has one grandparent living and he is 42.

Catherine

[AnnieW625]

I can't vote either as I am only 36, but my paternal grandmother is 84 and still alive and functions quite well on her own mentally and physically. I would hope that she is alive when I am 40, she will be 88 then. My maternal grandma died in January, 2012 and she had just turned 95 (so I was 34 then). DH is 38 (will be 39 in September) and his maternal grandma is 92 (93 in December), and his paternal grandma died in November, 2012 and she was 85-86, I think. DH's maternal great grandmother (his maternal grandma's mom) lived to be 104 (she died when DH was in college) so we think his grandma might be in it for the long run.:)

My grandpas died when I was 16 (grandpa was 76), and 32 (grandpa was 84). DH's grandpas died within 18 months of each other, DH was 24, and 26.

[Philly Mom]

Under 40 and no living grandparents. My mom was 47/48 when her grandmother died. She was 106. My grandmother's baby sister is still alive, living alone, etc. she is 96.

[megs4413]

I can't vote since I just turned 30, but my last remaining grandparent died when I was 27. 1st when died when i was 5, next when i was 14, next when i was 18.

my DH is 29 and has one remaining grandparent (his mom's mom). his dad's parents died before he was born. his mom's dad died when he was 21.

[lovin2shop]

All of my grandparents passed before I was even 20. They mostly lived into their late 70's and 80's, but the women in our family tend to have babies late in life.

[YouAreTheFocus]

DH & I are under 40, we don't have any living grandparents between us. My Dad's parents passed away when I was in my early 20s, my Mom's passed away when I was in my early 30s.

[eagle]

i think all of mine were gone before i was even 8. both of my parents are the youngest of 7 children.

[rlu]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

All my grandparents passed before I was a year old. My mom was next to youngest of 5 sisters and my dad the baby of 5 siblings.

DH had 3 or 4 grandparents (there were remarriages and I get confused) as a child with his last grandparent passing away when he was 38.

DS on the other hand has three living grandparents (FIL passed before DS was born).

[pinkmomagain]

I am 46. My last grandparent died when I was around 38/39.

[Pennylane]

43 and I have one grandmother alive. She just turned 95 and is in great health!

Ann

[MelissaTC]

I'm 38 and both my Grandmas are alive.

DH is 39 and only his maternal Grandma is still around. She is 90. Her mother lived a long time too, close to 100.

[boolady]

I am 39, DH is 45. Neither of us have any living grandparents. The last of our grandparents to pass away was my paternal grandfather, who died on Christmas Eve 2011.

Both DH's mom and my mom have also passed away, both at the age of 61. DH's mom died in December 2003, and my mom died in February 2012, so DD just has grandfathers at this point.

[Fairy]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

What is wrong with me? I should have made that option. I'm sorry :-(

[Fairy]

I wanna re-do the poll, I effed it up. Mods, are you able to add options after the fact?

[Gena]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

Same for me. My grandfathers both died before I was born. My grandmothers both died when I was in my 20s.

[PunkyBoo]

I'm 41 and was just thinking this morning about how glad I am that I got such a long time with my paternal grandpa who died when I was 26. He was my last living grandparent. DH (who is 43) lost his last grandparent almost 10 years ago, a few weeks before we had Punkin. I was thinking about this because in the past year, THREE separate people in my division at work lost their dads who are within 5 years of my dad's (and fil's) age. It's been scaring me and I keep telling DH I want to spend more time with my dad, I want MY KIDS to spend more time with my dad.

[kdeunc]

All 4 of my grandparents died before I was 13. DH is 41 and has 1living grandparent (87 years old). His other three have died within the last 12 years.

[almostamom]

My grandmother died 2 mos after I turned 40. My other grandparents passed away when I was 11, 24, and 27. DH's grandmother died when he was 42. She passed away 3 days before she turned 100. We were so fortunate that both of our grandmothers were at our wedding (I was 34, DH was 39), and they both knew DS. Sadly, DS will most likely not get the same amount of time with his grandparents as their ages range from 70-91 now.

[ett]

I can't vote as I'm under 40, but 2 of my grandparents died early (in their 50s). My other 2 grandparents died in their early 90s.

[daisymommy]

37 and no living grandparents. My maternal grandparents have been gone for over 20 years now. On my fathers side, it's been about 10 years.


Sent from my iPad

[hellokitty]

All of my and dh's grandparents passed away yrs ago. DH is 42 and I'm 40.

[DualvansMommy]

I'm not 40 as only 37 but my DH who's 45 had grandparents on both sides his whole childhood. The last living one died when he graduated HS..

My grandparents were all dead before I was born. They all died of varying causes in their 60's. in addition, my parents had me late in life.


Cate

[kara97210]

I'm turning 40 this year and have 3 living grandparents (they range from 82-97 years old) and are all in relatively good health. I lost my last great grandparent in my early 30s. DH is 43 and lost all his grandparents by his early 20s.

[fivi2]

My grandparents had all passed away by the time I was 12. (I am 40 this year).

[MontrealMum]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.
:yeahthat:
My last and youngest gparent died about a decade ago. If she were still living shed be 99! We have big generation spans in my family and DH's. his would be 120 or more.

Idk about editing polls...I will check it out :)

[KLD313]

I'm 39 and sadly I have no living grandparents. My grandfather died 8 years ago at age 93 and my grandmother died 2 years ago right before she would have turned 96. My fathers parents died before I was born. My boyfriends grandmother is about to turn 100.

[wendibird22]

Didn't vote because I'm 38. My paternal grandmother is 97.

[MontrealMum]

Sorry, can't see a way to edit poll options after the fact :(.

[mommylamb]

I'm amazed at how many of my peers still have grandparents. I'm (almost) 38 and my last living grandparent died right after I turned 20, so it has been nearly half my life since I had a grandparent. It's sad. They died when I was 13, 17, 17 and 20.

[swissair81]

I'm not eligible for your survey, since I'm only 32, but I only have one living grandparent. My father's parents were holocaust survivors who lost their whole families in the war and started over. My father was born when they were close to 50. His mother passed away when he was 13. His father lived until 98 or 99, but passed away a good 14 years ago. My mother's father passed away 5 years ago at 89.5, and my mother's mother is still kicking at 90. She is very proudly a great-great grandmother 7 or 8 times over. My DH had a living (very elderly) great grandmother in his early 20s.

[elliput]

I'm over 40 and have not had a living grandparent in 13 years.

[queenmama]

I'm not voting because I'm 35.

My half-sister is 40 and her paternal grandparents are still living.

DH is 38 this year and all of his grandparents are alive. Only one is in poor health.

Lara

[ellies mom]

My last grandparent died when I was 42. She was 93.

[bostonsmama]

My grandparents died when I was 5, 7, 16, and 24.

DH still has 2 alive (and he's much older than I am). His paternal grandmother just celebrated her 95th birthday! She lives alone in her own house, drives a car, is sharp as a tack...she's AMAZING! I don't remember how old his mom's mom is, but she's old, too...she's just had Alzheimers for over a decade. :(

[MamaMolly]

Me? no. DH, yes. Both his grandmothers are alive, and he's 48.

[alleycat]

I turn 40 this year and we just celebrated my maternal grandma's 94th birthday. DH is 43 and his maternal grandmother is 88.

[mom2binsd]

I'm 46, no living grandparents, maternal died when I was in my teens, paternal grandpa died 8 years before I was born, my dad was the 10th of 12 kids, grand ma died at age 96, i was in my teens. My mother died when I was in my early 20's, my dad is 77.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[Smillow]

I am 46 and I have one grandmother still living @ 96! I have been very fortunate to have her in my life. :heartbeat:

[vonfirmath]

I'm going to be 40 this year and I have 0 grandparents still alive.
I don't even have any grandparents I married into because my husband's grandparents are all dead as well.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

only 35 here so no voting..only my grandmothers are still alive. my mom's dad passed away when i was only 12 (he was over 80 years old..my mom's mom was his 2nd wife after his first wife died, and my mom was one of the last children so my grandfather was already pretty old by the time i was born..i think he was close to 70). my dad's dad passed away when i was in my early 20s. my maternal grandmother is going to be 93 early next year. It's crazy when i think about how she will have outlived my grandfather by 25 years (well she was at least 13 years younger, but still). i think my dad's mom is younger than 85 (my dad is the oldest). my maternal grandmother has some health issues so i'm pretty sure by the time i'm 40 (which is only 5 years..eek) only my dad's mom will still be alive.

DH is same age as me and all his grandparents were alive until he was 30 (all four of his grandparents were alive by the time of our wedding at age 29). now he's the same as me..only his grandmothers alive. One of them is in pretty frail health. I also think only one of the grandmas is likely to be alive by 40. And in his case, his mom was the first born out of 9 kids, and his grandma had her i think around age 22 or so.

it's so funny how this generation it will be so different. DH & I were 31 and 32 when the kids are born...if they wait til the same age to have kids, we will be 62 when we have grandkid is BORN, so that would make us 102 when they turn 40. Um, I doubt we'd make it that long. LOL DH was saying that our goal should be to live to see our grandkids graduate from college...that seems like more reasonable :)

[vonfirmath]

it's so funny how this generation it will be so different. DH & I were 31 and 32 when the kids are born...if they wait til the same age to have kids, we will be 62 when we have grandkid is BORN, so that would make us 102 when they turn 40. Um, I doubt we'd make it that long. LOL DH was saying that our goal should be to live to see our grandkids graduate from college...that seems like more reasonable :)

This is pretty much how stuff went in our family.

My mother's parents were 27 when they had her (she's the oldest)
My dad's parents were pretty old when they had him as well, but he's not the oldest. He's got a brother 15 years older.
My parents were 28 when they had me.
I was 34 when we had our oldest.

[Fairy]

Sorry, can't see a way to edit poll options after the fact :(.

Frak. I'm really sorry for messing up this poll, everyone, thanks for commenting!!!

[noodle]

Matrnal grandfather died before I was born; grandma died when I was in my early 40s.
Paternal grandpa died when I was in my early 20s; grandma died when I was in my mid-30s.

[carolinacool]

I can't vote because I'm 38, but both of my grandmothers are still alive. My maternal granny turned 89 in May. Her mother lived until she was 99 and died when I was in middle school. My granny had 10 brothers and sisters who lived past birth (three died), and most of them lived/are living well into their mid to late 80s. I actually don't know the exact age of my paternal grandma, but she's in her late 70s or very early 80s.

My paternal grandpa died before I was born and my maternal papa died a month before I turned 2.

[KpbS]

Turning 40 this year and my last one died 9 months ago. :(

[JustMe]

I'm 45. Three of my grandparents died before I was born. One died when I was around 10.

My mother died when I was 34 and my father when I was 39.

[Melbel]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

:yeahthat: Me too. :(

[Giantbear]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.:yeahthat:

[bigsis]

I didn't vote b/c even though I just turned 40, none of my grandparents are alive :(

[citymama]

I can't vote - I'm 40 and my last living grandparent (paternal grandma who I adored) passed away a year ago. She was in amazing health and I was shocked when she passed. Went peacefully in her sleep. All my other grandparents died when I was between 18-25.

[Cam&Clay]

All of mine were gone before I was a year old. I never knew what it was like to have grandparents. I am 43 and both of my parents are gone.

[lmwbasye]

Only 35 here so not voting, but all my grandparents had passed by the time I graduated college. DH's last grandparent died before he hit his 30s.

[KrisM]

I am 43 next month. My maternal grandparents are both living. Grandma is 88, turns 89 in a month. Grandpa is 90 and he still golfs 9 holes a week most weeks. They live in the same house they've been in for 30 some years. They do get help with snow removal, gutter cleaning, etc. They have wonderful neighbors who look out for them on a lot of things. Overall, they are in good health.

[dogmom]

I lost all 3 of my grandparents in my late 30s early 40s. Their ages were 85-92. One died before I was born. I lost my great grandparents in high school. My parents had kids in their early 20s. So my kids will probably loose their grandparents much earlier than I did.

[klwa]

I'm only 37 so too young to respond to your poll, but, all 4 of my gradparents have passed away. However, I'm the youngest grandchild on both sides, so before Granny & Grandma passed away, there were several cousins in their 40s and 50s.

DH is 38 & still has one grandfather living, but he's 97, so we don't know for how much longer.

[american_mama]

Wouldn't the poll be better if you could also vote if none of your grandparents are alive? Or maybe you just ran out of choice. I'm 42 and none of my grandaparents are alive. Three died in their 70's, but that was still before I was 22. My grandmother lived into her 80's and died about 7 years ago.

[ilfaith]

I am 44 and have one remaining grandmother. My paternal grandfather died when I was in my mid 20s (he was 86). My paternal grandmother died when I was 34 (she was 91). My maternal grandfather died when I was 36 (he was 86). And my maternal grandmother is 91, alive and well and living on her own in Boynton Beach.

DH's maternal grandparents both passed away before he was born (they both died young, in their 50s), but his paternal grandparents both lived into their 90s (grandmother died at 91 and grandfather two months later at 97). His dad had both parents alive (and living in the apartment where he grew up) into his 70s.

Of course we didn't have kids until our mid-to-late 30s, so if our boys follow suit, it is unlikely that we will be around to celebrate our grandkids 40th birthdays.

[karstmama]

i had 7 when i was born (all 4 gp & 3 ggp), but the last one died the month i turned 40, 4 years ago. she was the only one who got to know ds, and she lived with us so she got to see him every day. she really seemed to like that.

[janine]

41 and no grandparents :(. My grandfather died last year at 94, and my my grandparents on my other side passed several years ago but were in their 90's.

[arivecchi]

I will be 40 in a couple of weeks so I took the liberty to respond. :) I still have three grandparents alive.

[musicalgrl]

Under 40 and no living grandparents. My mom was 47/48 when her grandmother died. She was 106. My grandmother's baby sister is still alive, living alone, etc. she is 96.

Wow, 106 is incredible! Some nice longevity in your family.

[Fairy]

Wouldn't the poll be better if you could also vote if none of your grandparents are alive? Or maybe you just ran out of choice. I'm 42 and none of my grandaparents are alive. Three died in their 70's, but that was still before I was 22. My grandmother lived into her 80's and died about 7 years ago.

Yes it would be much better, but I said up thread that I messed it up and I still apologize!

[BabbyO]

I suspect I won't make my 40's before my last grandparent passes, but my grandma is 90 and has at least 3-4 grandchildren in their 40's.

She is a spry 90 yo - though she just had her hip replaced 2 weeks ago she is back living on her own after only 1 wk rehab! I hope I've inherited her genes. She still volunteers at the hospital and is out an about all the time!

[babyonway]

I can't vote. I'm over 40, but don't have any grandparents still living.

:yeahthat: I am 40 and my last grandparent died 15 years ago.

[BabyBearsMom]

This is interesting. I am 32 and all of my grand parents passed away by the time I was 14. DH is 31 and his paternal grand parents are alive and well. His maternal grandparents are deceased but both were heavy smokers and drinkers, so it isn't surprising.

[joonbug]

Not 40 yet (35) so not far off and not only my grandmother and grandfather are alive - 78 and 84 but also my great-grandmother as well - she's turning 101 this Christmas. There are a few people who lived pretty long in my family - grandfathers on both sides lived till 80-90.

[Fairy]

This really is so interesting. I was hoping there would be one 50yo with a grandparent, tho :-(.

Despite the Holocaust, which impacted my family heavily, I was born with all four grandparents, my great grandfather, however, died two years before I was born. My grandmother died when I was 19, and I had all three of the others until I was 35, right after DS was born, when the other grandmother died. My grandfathers are still alive, both 88, and my step grandmas are mid-late 80's, too. My one grandfather is not doing so well, I'm not sure how much longer I'll have him, but DS adores him, which makes me proud; we just saw him Sunday. The other one will likely outlive us all ...

[jhamman]

On my phone so I can't see the poll...

I am 51 years old (yikes!), and today is my grandmother's 101st birthday !!!

Happy birthday to Ruth !!

[Philly Mom]

Wow, 106 is incredible! Some nice longevity in your family.


My family does have longevity. We joke that she lived so long because she fought with her husband (my great grandfather) until she was in her late 90's when he died. She smoke, she drank, and walked to blow out her candles at her 100th birthday party. She was amazing. Her daughter, my maternal grandmother, died in her late 80s because she was widowed young (30 years earlier), never recovered, and also smoke and drank. But for being widowed young, I would guess she would still be alive at 100+. My paternal grandmother lived until her 90s, her sister is my 96 year old great aunt who still lives on her own in Florida, drives, plays cards, etc. My parents have planned for a long distance marathon.

[JustMe]

Wow, Happy Birthday Ruth!

You found one Fairy!

[Nooknookmom]

Couldn't vote-all of mine r dead. I'm 42.

I was late to the party being born when my mom was 40 and dad 49.

Dads parents were long dead and only my moms mother was still alive...she died when I was 6.

My dad died when I was two.

[Fairy]

On my phone so I can't see the poll...

I am 51 years old (yikes!), and today is my grandmother's 101st birthday !!!

Happy birthday to Ruth !!

Oh my gosh! That's really wonderful! Happy Bday to Grandma Ruth!!! When you get a chance to get on your computer, get back here and vote! You'll be the only one 50yo with a vote!



Wow, Happy Birthday Ruth!

You found one Fairy!

I know, yay!!!

[Tenasparkl]

On my phone so I can't see the poll...

I am 51 years old (yikes!), and today is my grandmother's 101st birthday !!!

Happy birthday to Ruth !!
Happy birthday to her! yay!

I'm only 38, but have no more living grandparents. My last living grandmother (mom's mom) died two years ago when I was 36. My step grandmother in law (husband's step father's mother) is 103 though. She's had orange juice from the tree in her yard daily for probably 60 years. I think that magic tree is keeping her alive!

[alexsmommy]

Yes, we just visited my maternal grandmother last week. She is 101, will be 102 in October.
She is amazing.
I was able to video DS1 asking her about what she knew about slavery in our family. She told him what her grandmother had told her about her memories of being sold at auction. She also told him about how Jim Crow impacted her and my mother and what she remembered about the civil rights movement.
Amazing stuff and I feel so blessed that DS1 is old enough to understand what she was telling him. DS2 and DS3 were "playing" with her, where she would reach out and tickle their stomachs as they pretended to stay out of her way.
She insisted on making us a full country breakfast.
I adore her, but also know that she is very sad - no one from her generation is left and she is lonely. Not alone, but lonely. :( I'm sad that we might have been saying goodbye this last time as opposed to until next year.

[Fairy]

Yes, we just visited my maternal grandmother last week. She is 101, will be 102 in October.
She is amazing.
I was able to video DS1 asking her about what she knew about slavery in our family. She told him what her grandmother had told her about her memories of being sold at auction. She also told him about how Jim Crow impacted her and my mother and what she remembered about the civil rights movement.
Amazing stuff and I feel so blessed that DS1 is old enough to understand what she was telling him. DS2 and DS3 were "playing" with her, where she would reach out and tickle their stomachs as they pretended to stay out of her way.
She insisted on making us a full country breakfast.
I adore her, but also know that she is very sad - no one from her generation is left and she is lonely. Not alone, but lonely. :( I'm sad that we might have been saying goodbye this last time as opposed to until next year.

This is a wonderful story, and your DS's are so very lucky to have gotten that story from her live. wow.

[Nooknookmom]

This is a wonderful story, and your DS's are so very lucky to have gotten that story from her live. wow.

I am praying my Mom goes that far! She is only 83 so still young these days ..still one never knows what lies ahead. I wand DD2 to have memories like DD1 was able to have.

Awesome story and you are very lucky indeed...oh I would love to hear her stories myself!

[alirebco]

I am 33 this year but I haven't had a living grandparent since I was 19.

[Roleysmom]

I love seeing that some people have grandparents who are in their 100s. What a treasure! I am 46 and haven't had a grandparent alive since I was four.

I'm interested in knowing how many of us in our 40s have one or both parents alive. Or maybe a more realistic way to put it is how many people my age have also lost a parent or parents. My dad's been gone since I was nine and my mom died 13 years ago this August. Hopefully I'm an outlier.

[StantonHyde]

On my mom's side:
Grandpa died before my parents got married. Grandma died when I was 22 (she was 78)

On dad's side
Grandpa died when I was 4 (he was 58)
Grandma died when I was 42 (she was 96)

For my children:
My mother died when they were 1 and 3.5yrs. I was 41
DH's Dad died when the kids were 5 and 7.5. DH was 45

[mom3boys]

Well, I'm only 38, but my grandmother has older grandchildren than me. Her oldest (biological) grandchild, my cousin, is 46--she also has a step-grandchild older than that (whose life she has been very involved in and who considers her to be grandma). Grandma is 91 and became a great-great-grandma this summer. She is very healthy and I'm hoping she makes it to 100+!

My DH's last grandparent died when he was 43. She was 96.

[pb&j]

Not over 40, but I have no living grandparents. However, my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather both lived into their mid-90's. My grandfather even got remarried to his high school sweetheart in his 80's!! DH's grandfather lived to be 103 (DH was 40), and was in great health until relatively shortly before he died. He lived on his own until just before his 100th birthday.

[Fairy]

My grandfather even got remarried to his high school sweetheart in his 80's!!

This is really sweet. I've actually heard about this happening not so infrequently ...

[Smillow]

Well, I'm only 38, but my grandmother has older grandchildren than me. Her oldest (biological) grandchild, my cousin, is 46--she also has a step-grandchild older than that (whose life she has been very involved in and who considers her to be grandma). Grandma is 91 and became a great-great-grandma this summer. She is very healthy and I'm hoping she makes it to 100+!

My DH's last grandparent died when he was 43. She was 96.

Good point! My oldest cousin on that side is over 50!