My mom at age four - already preparing to be a mom!
My mother passed away at about 5:15 pm today. It came about suddenly, yet her sister Adeline and a marvelous team from the Hospice Advantage were there by her side.
She had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for some years, but never let it get the best of her. She maintained a sense of humor, when she could, and her faith in God to the end.
Tonight I recall a strong woman who loved to travel, starting first on local camping events when we were small. When I left Sheboygan, she and my dad visited me in both Wichita and later in Los Angeles three times! They, I would guess, saw about every state in the lower 48 in their travels before and after retirement. Later she visited me while I was living in Davis, California, Phoenix and Savannah. She made two trips with my sisters to see me both in Tampa Bay and my current home in Piney Point, Maryland.
Against the wishes of my sisters Kathi and Missy and I, she drove her minivan to her winter home in South Texas alone in her late seventies, arriving safely, only to fall and break her hip a few days later. She recovered.
Years later, she would have gladly visited me in Japan, Korea and Italy had the circumstances presented that opportunity. She was proud of my work around the globe on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and really tried to understand exactly what I did in the high-tech world of advanced composites.
Mom loyally served the community and her church over the decades. She volunteered at the voting polls and was always proud to get her precinct’s votes to the city’s headquarters before any others.
She served as president of an organization in her church when we were young. Recently she gave money to her church to enable children to attend St. Paul’s School, who would otherwise be unable to pay the tuition.
She worked as a senior citizens group leader well before she retired, planning weekly cheerful gatherings and bus trips that all of “her” seniors thoroughly enjoyed. Many long lasting friendships were made during those times. She cherished all of her friends, both new and old alike.
She acquired an exhaustive collection of Milk Glass, and loved the Impressionist Painters, seeing major Monet expositions in Chicago and Tampa. Over the years she attended many of the popular Broadway Musicals in multiple locations.
She stayed current with events, finding CNN a little depressing, but loved all types of programming on two local PBS stations. She constantly read books and articles, and studied her Bible daily.
As the first born, I was quite spoiled, and birthdays and Christmas were always special. She’d often make me a red chocolate multi-layered birthday cake with a buttery frosting that I loved and will never forget. Thanksgiving dinners were unsurpassed, with countless dishes served, requiring preparation days in advance. I always got to make the fresh cranberry relish.
As a boy, being an introverted geek, she insisted that I also be a cub scout, a little league player, as well as a violinist and for a time, a reluctant pianist. She saw that I attended summer school when my grades were down (biology and chemistry) and arranged that I attend the high school senior class trip to Washington DC and New York City when the money was likely needed elsewhere.
When the autumn leaves of the Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin came, she coaxed my dad to take us on annual Sunday drives to see the magnificent peak fall colors and a stop by Waldo Orchards for a hay ride and to bring home a case of just-picked apples. She would collect and preserve autumn leaves, milkweed pods and cattails.
I think for those that are fortunate to grow old, the body knows when it is time to leave. I wish her body could have waited a while longer. I had missed the 2009 Christmas visit due to a minor mishap at the start of my drive. I could have flown, but chose not to, promising to visit in a few weeks. I am now saddened by that choice.
One hopes she and my dad are reunited, as he left us all way too soon.
Mom, I will miss you!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That sucks man, I hope you are hanging in there well. Sorry for your loss, with deepest sympathies my friend.
Mike,
What a beautiful tribute to your Mom, a grand lady to the end. My heartfelt condolences to you and your sisters; you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Always,
Dave