As most of you know, Alan’s mom died last Saturday (6/4/11). She had been dealing with diabetes for much of her life and a few years back was diagnosed with kidney failure. About 18 months ago she started dialysis treatments. Two weeks ago she had a heart attack (or a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy to be precise) and last weekend she suffered a stroke, which proved to be fatal.
We were not there when she died, but we were able to drive down quickly and be with Don and Amanda. It was an emotional day, of course, and I am not much of an emotional writer so this will be brief. She was loved and will be missed. I’m glad my kids got a chance to know her, and her them, and we can now only try to keep her memory alive in us all.
In no particular order…
The kids knew that Grammy Lynn was sick and had been in the hospital recently, so Eve decided to draw her a picture to take down with us on Saturday (we were planning on going down anyway, before she died). Friday afternoon she drew a picture of her and Grammy Lynn hugging. While drawing it she asked me if Grammy Lynn needed wings. I said “No, why?”, and she said, “Oh, maybe her arms are her wings.”
There will be a memorial service for her on June 19 from 3-5pm. All are invited to stay afterward and visit and celebrate her life. Please RSVP to Amanda for full details.
She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in a private service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in memory of her. Lynn was one of the original supporters of Danny Thomas’ dream (the children and youth who helped raise money were nicknamed Danny’s Kids), and she donated something every month of her life in support of their efforts.
Rest in peace Grammy Lynn. I know you are more comfortable now. You are loved and will be missed.
This is Alan and my first real experience with death, as grownups anyway, and the aftermath is quite involved. Please dear family, please be sure to have your estate paperwork in order. If not for yourself then for your loved ones who will have to deal with it while grieving. You all are loved and someday will be missed!