It has been a couple of weeks since our mother’s funeral, and now our recovery from shock and disbelief now gives way to GRATITUDE. There is so much to be grateful for – not only the situation: that our mother suffered only a very short time with a horrific disease-- but for the love and support from those who loved her.

We are so blown away by all the friends our mother had from the various pockets of her life: the neighborhood, bowling, the Internet, Beauty School from decades ago, her daughters’ friends, and her long-time friends from High School and growing up on the lake together! Many of you came to visit her in the hospital. She was so loved, and she had cherished friends that she kept close over so many years.

Many of her friends, “The Lakers,” knew our mother almost as long as her sister. Kitty and Fred were absolutely loyal and committed to her to the very end.  They were a lovely, strong presence for our mother, and we are so grateful to them, and all of her Laker friends that she adored!

We thank god for our mother’s dear friend and neighbor, Diane, who was there to care for Jane and insisted she get medical care before her diagnosis. Diane, too, was an angel to our family throughout mom’s illness and funeral, and even until this day. She will forever be a part of our family.

We are so grateful for our Auntie Mary, and our cousin, Wendy, who were at our mother’s bedside daily.  They had spent every waking moment with Jane, after working full 8-hour days.  Thank you Wen, for the local contacts, your recommendations, and especially your time, your experience, and your cool mind and wit!  Thank you, Auntie, for your time, your gentle care, for funeral arrangement participation, ordering, and planning and decorating Jane’s Celebration of Life lunch and Gino’s!

We are so grateful for all of our friends and our family who came in from out-of-state for the funeral, including Pam, Leslie, and Steve, and appreciate all the family members who stayed home to care for children and fur-babies.  

Thank you, friends, for your bedside visits with mom, the flowers, the hugs, the gatherings, the cooked meals (Jane Felice), and opening your home and your hearts to our mother and to us during this time.

Finally, as one daughter to another, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my sister, Terri, and her husband, Randy. Thank you - For your tireless (sleepless!) attention to detail, commitment to family, your resolve, your willingness to take the reins, and your charity and generosity. Terri, you were a fierce medical advocate for our mother at a time she needed one the most. Thank you for being so effective at a time when I was mostly operating out of confusion! I love you both more than you know!   

Thank you to everyone for loving our mother, Jane.   May she rest in peace.

Tammy
4-9-18