Jo Anne Doner Fallaise

Me, Gramma, Grandpa and my sister, Grace

My gramma, a devoted wife of over 50 years, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother! My gramma has always been there since I was born. Living next door to us, she always took care of me and my sister when we were younger. She would think of fun things to do and take me and my sister to some really cool places. Once she took us to Little Lake in Peterborough, saying she had a surprise. She took us on the Lift Lock Cruise! It was really cool. I remembered we often went to this little bead/jewelry shop, then she'd take us to the bakery next door for lunch. She definitely did and still does spoil me!

Everytime I see my gramma, she has something encouraging to say to me, whether it is a Bible verse or just something from her heart. Always full of wisdom and love. Each year I enjoy reading my birthday cards from her. She always finds a card that I love and writes a touching letter with a Bible verse that really relates to my life.

Gramma with her granddaughters

My gramma became a Christian in 1976, the same year she decided to open her own health food business. She told me, "We [her and Grandpa] were born again and surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus, and now have the most wonderful personal relationship with Him." She also told me, "We don't know how we ever managed so long without it." Ever since, her small health foods business has not stopped flourishing.

One of her favourite Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5-7: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen to God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go: He's the One who'll keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!"

My gramma with her sunflowers

In 1974 she and her family left to go traveling around the states for a year. She thought they needed a change in their diet, due to her husband and one of her son's asthma. After reading and some research, she learned the importance of a healthy diet. From then on she mainly shopped in health food stores. Unfortunately, the nearest one was in Peterborough, far from Lindsay. Soon after, Gramma found herself in need of a new job. Her father encouraged her to open her own health food store in Lindsay. After some help from family and a friend who already owned a small health food store, she opened a little shop right in the front part of their big house on Kent St. called Jo Anne's Place. Her knowledge quickly grew and she started helping and educating customers and the general public. The store in Lindsay opened in 1976. In 1986, Gramma opened a store in Peterborough, where I work.

My mom has worked at my gramma's (her mom's) store since she was 11 years old. Now, both my mom and my dad are the managers of both stores. I think this is pretty cool because ever since I was little, I basically grew up with Jo Anne's Place as my second home. I've always been taught about eating healthy and always staying active.

My gramma is amazing in the kitchen. Whether it's for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just coming to her house for dinner, she always makes delicious food! This is a recipe she used to make; now my mom makes it for my family. I hope to make it for my kids, too.

Apple Crisp

Fill 9x13 greased pan with chopped apples (skins on is the way my gramma and mom make it). Drizzle over apples 3 large tbsp. of honey. Pour 1/4 cup of lemon juice over apples. Sprinkle 1 tsp. of cinnamon over apples.

Topping:
1 cup raw sugar
2 cups spelt flour(may substitute with whole wheat flour)
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup butter
Mix together sugar, flour, and oats. Cut butter in with pastry cutters. Sprinkle mixture on top of apples. Bake at 350F for 60-90 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

My gramma bungee jumping in New Zealand

My gramma has been through some tough times in her life; she lost her firstborn son three days after he was born because he was born prematurely. Also, one of her other sons, (my Uncle Tom) dropped dead suddenly on his kitchen floor at age 36. Through faith in God and a great family supporting her, she got through these tough times. Ever since, she has been able to help people in the same situations, because of her experiences in her life.

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the boot that crushed it." Mark Twain

I think my gramma is extremely brave. She started her own business and traveled around North America for a year in a school bus. She also went to New Zealand in 2006, where she and my grandpa went bungy jumping. Yes, bungee jumping - she was 72 years old. That's pretty awesome!

The reason I chose my gramma as my hero is because I've learned so much from her. Watching her as she lives her life has helped me live mine. She has inspired me in so many ways, to not give up in life, and to love deeply from the heart and she has shown me the importance of being a good friend to people. She always inspires me in my art, to be more creative or think outside the box and not being afraid to try something new. As she lives, I've watched her and learned about virtues that are important in life, such as not being proud, always being honest and being humble to people. She is continuously praying for me, which challenges me to live my life fully for God and His glory.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." -- Helen Keller