I lost my grandmother two weeks ago at the age of 97.

Ninety-seven.

It’s a number that makes you pause when you really think about it. She lived through nearly a century of change. Different economies, wars, technology, entire ways of life that came and went.

Her story started well before her own. Her parents were immigrants, building a life from scratch in a new country. She grew up during the Great Depression, and that experience stayed with her forever. Not in a fearful way, but in a way that gave her perspective. She understood, at a very early age, that things can change quickly.

She was incredibly bright. Valedictorian of her high school class and to college on a full scholarship. That didn’t happen by accident. It was focus, discipline, and quiet determination as her parents couldn’t afford college otherwise.

She became a teacher and took a lot of pride in her work. She married my grandfather, who was a remarkable man in his own right. He served in the OSS prior to and during World War II and later became a teacher as well. They built a life together and had one child, my mom.

My grandfather passed away far too young in the early 1980s after battling cancer. It was a loss that never really left her. Even years later, you could see it. If his name came up or she looked at a photo, she’d pause for a moment. You knew exactly where her mind went.

Despite the loss, she kept going. She lived 40+ years after losing him.

She remarried twice, had several long-term relationships, and outlived many people she loved. That kind of longevity is a gift, but it also comes with its own weight.

Through it all, she stayed engaged with life.

She loved to travel. She appreciated art, theater, and classical music. She had a home in the Berkshires just steps from Tanglewood and ushered there for 30 years, along with other venues, so she never had to pay for a ticket. That was very much her. Practical, resourceful, and fully immersed in something she loved.

She also loved crossword puzzles, bridge, and spending time with family even if it involved bickering with my mom. She kept her mind active and stayed curious for as long as she could.

Her relationship with money is something I’ll carry with me forever.

She lived with the understanding that nothing is guaranteed. That mindset, shaped during the Great Depression, never left her. She lived simply and thoughtfully. Not out of scarcity, but out of content and discipline.

She didn’t spend just because she could. She didn’t chase status or excess. Her life was full but never overdone.

I can still picture her freezer, packed with leftovers and bags of bread from the Cheesecake Factory. A little freezer burn didn’t matter. If it could be used, she used it. Waste just wasn’t part of how she operated.

Guided by my grandfather at first, she invested early and consistently. She trusted the process. She trusted the markets and she trusted her advisors.

As the world sped up over the last couple of decades, it became harder for her to keep up. Technology, complexity, the pace of everything, it was overwhelming. Gradually, she recognized that managing her finances was becoming too much.

This is the part that stands out the most to me.

She asked for help.

That wasn’t easy for her. She was independent and incredibly stubborn, but she had self-awareness and humility.

One of the greatest honors of my life was when she asked me to step in and manage her affairs.

It wasn’t about giving something up. It was about protecting everything she had built.

We had conversations that mattered. We put everything in place. Documents, accounts, all aligned with her intentions. They weren’t always easy conversations, but they were honest ones. As a result, there was clarity. No guesswork. No confusion.

That’s something I think about a lot, both personally and professionally.

When I think about her now, I don’t think about numbers.

I think about discipline, shaped by growing up during the Great Depression.

I think about consistency, built over decades of living within her means.

I think about resilience, in the face of loss and change.

I think about humility, knowing when it was time to ask for help.

The things that matter don’t show up on a statement, but they’re the foundation of everything.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had her as my grandmother. In many ways, I’ve tried to live my life by the same principles.

If I’m fortunate enough to be a grandparent one day, I hope I can be even half as impactful to my kids and grandkids as she was to me.

That would be more than enough.

Goodbye, Gran.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon.

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About the Author – Stu Caplan, CFP®

Stu Caplan is Senior Wealth Strategist at Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions.

The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of industry experience, Stu and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations.

Stu received his MBA from The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and his bachelor’s degree from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. Stu resides in Bucks County, PA with his wife and two sons. He’s an avid golfer and is thrilled that his boys have embraced the game. He also volunteers his time as a board member of the PKD Foundation and Abrams Hebrew Academy.

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