My grandmother died this morning.
Yep, the day after thanksgiving. Died in her sleep in Beijing, China (during the mid morning in California) at age 89. My mother was just sobbing like crazy for hours after getting email from her brother about it just a few hour ago. First time in my 21-year-and-counting life I've experienced a death in the family...and it had to be during the holidays! 
furthermore I reminder her like it was yesterday, as I visited my fam in china last december, grandma was the most frail I'd ever seen in near a decade...
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During the holidays is very hard, always.
I hope your good memories will sustain you as you get through this sadness...
I also lost my maternal grandmother at about the same age, not long after I graduated from college, and it was my first experience losing someone close, as well. At least you had seen her within the year, but it's just devastating to lose someone who has always been there. Be there for your Mom. That's what I did, made me feel useful. Hope knowing others here understand helps a little...
I hope you all can take some comfort in being together during these difficult days.
I am so sorry for your loss....
I lost my brother eight years ago the day before Thanksgiving 
my Great Aunt! Lovely woman; so kind and fun-loving, very funny too! She had alzheimers and COPD and she couldn't remember anyone in the end. So sad!
I hope that you take comfort in the good memories that you have of your grandmother. It does help (I've dealt with many family members dying over the years).
You need to be strong for your mother. She was so far away... Please find comfort, as there is no good time for good-byes of our family.
It hurts, I know.
Peace and strength.
