This is a really interesting thread, and I've read every single reply. We also had a situation where, when DGM died, my mum's sibling and my cousins took most of the lovely things first, despite DM being the primary carer, and her sibling not really bothering very much with DGM. They got all the beautiful antique furniture.
The thing I would have loved, was a set of wildlife plates, each one different to the next. I learned young how to identify so many flowers and birds from those plates. My cousin has them, but she is my absolute favourite, adored cousin, so it does give me pleasure to think of her still using them!
What has been lovely about reading this thread though, is that it's made me think about all the things I do have from DGM, both things given before she died, and a few bits afterwards. I have some jewellery, not worth anything, but very sentimental, she'd had made from things like shells and gems she found on beaches etc. In fact I'm wearing one today that I haven't worn in years, simply because this thread reminded me to dig it out!
I also have her hat, a gorgeous silk scarf from the 1930s that I used to wear all the time, a faded shawl/blanket that used to live over the back of her chair, a couple of ornaments that she bought in a place beloved to both of us, and an antique ornament that has been in the family for generations, that is worth simething, but I'll never sell! That was the thing that surprised me that the others didn't want. It's the thing that reminds me most of her gorgeous country cottage and all the magical time I spent there. And also a beautiful ring that DGF bought her years before. Finally a couple of DGF's diaries and his pipe that still smells beautifully of him.