Mom passed away June 3, 2021 at the age of 93. She was bedridden for just a few days before she was gone. Carl and Pandora had visited and sat with her, and had just gone back home the night before. She died very peacefully in her sleep. For three days I had gone in every hour throughout the nights to help her with her extra secretions and her medications. I came in in the morning to wake her up and help Becky the hospice caregiver with dressing and changing Mom. Her breathing was very slow and the breaths were far apart. I held her, kissed her, and talked to her. I told her I love her, and that I knew she was getting really tired. I tried to say comforting things. Her breaths were farther and farther apart until finally she stopped altogether. We cried, and I called Carl and the girls. It was so so sad, but at the same time I felt relief for her that at last she was out of her discomfort.
The nurse came and declared the time of death. Later Duke and Charlie came from the funeral home. I got a big hug from Charlie, who had been my student.
Within days after Mom passed away and the death notice appeared in the
paper, we received so many cards, calls, and emails from people
expressing their condolences. Alma, Mom's caregiver of two years was the first to arrive with a hug, a
lovely card, and a dozen yellow roses, Mom's favorite flowers.
Jessie and her family sent this yellow rose bush, which is flourishing in our garden. Update: here it is 2 years later in full bloom. It's still a baby, as is my grief, but it's very beautiful and smells so good!
The next day Louie's cousins sent this AMAZING fruit basket and card.
This card is such a sweet memory from Mary Tompsett. Many of the messages brought tears, like this one.
The sentiment on this one from Louie's nieces was especially sweet too. They enclosed a special photo from the last Christmas Mom was in our house, 2019.
The rest of the cards, emails, and Facebook messages are here. Many of them were handmade works of art.
Here are the thank-you notes we sent. So pretty.
This is her obituary and composite photo.
Here's the newspaper obituary from the Racine Journal Times. And click here to go to the funeral home website to see it.
We love you so, and we always will. I treasure the time I
was able to take care of you, and I remember fondly all the memories of
"before." You taught me so much, you stood by me and always loved me
unconditionally through thick and thin. I am forever grateful.
