Ohio Grandma Welcomes 86th Great-Grandchild in Time for Her 86th Birthday: 'We’re Lucky'

86-year-old grandma Marie Frey just celebrated the arrival of her 86th great-grandchild around the same time she celebrated her birthday. She has one grandchild for every year she was born, and it's been the greatest gift for her!

Children are blessings to any parent, but there's just something magical when parents turn into grandparents. The love they have multiplies when they have grandchildren, and they make sure to give them nothing but the best of life.

For Marie Frey of Ohio, it seems 86 is her lucky number. She has as many grandchildren as the years she's been alive and counting! It's been quite the journey for her, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Marie Frey's Constantly Growing Family

Marie and her late husband Gerald share 15 children together. Those 15 children, in turn, gave them 68 grandchildren and six step-grandchildren. Growing their family even bigger, her grandchildren made her a grandparent to 86 biological great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

The 86-year-old marked the arrival of her 86th biological great-grandchild after her grandson, Kenny Frey, welcomed his fifth daughter, Blakely Grace. While the arrival of her 86th great-grandchild was unique due to the significant number, she noted that every one of her great-grandchildren is special to her.

She's such a present grandmother that even though she has hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she remembers each one by name.

Lucky in Love

While thinking about how many people there are in the Frey family could be overwhelming, Marie has nothing but good words to say. Raising fifteen children had challenges and was sometimes too chaotic, but she notes how her children often always figured things out. Speaking about her family, she said:

"I look around, I think we're lucky."

Throughout her children's early years, Marie stayed at home and focused on raising them. When they got older, she began helping out at their family's roofing and lumber business, which is now run by some of her children and grandchildren.

Raising Her Large Family

Marie would teach her children how to work on the farm every day. They milked cows every morning and night and worked the field. Her sons did most of the tractor drawing, which was quite memorable for them.

Because of their large family, the bakery would drop off 21 loaves weekly for the fifteen children. Then Marie and the rest of the family would make their milk and butter on the farm.

Most of the family live in the same county, with some of Marie's children living down the block from her. Because of this, the family always gets together, and the proud matriarch gladly hosts them in her home.

Being a Present Grandmother

Speaking about their large celebrations, Marie proudly commented that her children are all great cooks. "They all bring so much food, and they're all pretty good cooks!" she said.

When it comes to her great-grandchildren, Marie tries to be as present as she can as well. Although she admits she doesn't have the time and energy to go to every concert or game that her great-grandchildren have, she tries her best to make it to at least one of each of her nearby great-grandchildren's activities throughout the year to show her support.

Likewise, Marie ensures not to miss out on her great-grandchildren's birthday parties. "I keep busy!" she told the media. She's such a present grandmother that even though she has hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she remembers each one by name.

Celebrating Holidays with 200 People

"Family and faith are her two biggest favorites. She's a very strong woman," her grandson Kenny once shared, so it comes as no surprise that she happily brings her large brood together for gatherings – and no gathering is small with their beautiful family.

Every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Frey hosts a celebration in the farm home she's lived in all her life. Now, every holiday they spend together hosts up to 200 guests, all comprising of her own family members.

"No matter where we go, we pass someone related to us," one of Marie's daughters, Rosanne Goodrich, revealed. As their family keeps growing, the chances of running into a family member also keep increasing.

Whether they see each other coincidentally around town or when they get together, it's always a lot of fun. The family thrives in being together, making sure they make the most of their time, especially with their beautiful matriarch, Marie.

Click here to read the story of a couple married for 59 years who celebrated the arrival of their 100th grandchild.