Journal entry by Louise Largiadèr —
Good morning:
Jay died earlier this morning. I spent the night on a cot in his hospice room, and noticed a change in his breathing around 6am. I sat on the bed hip to hip and hugged him and kissed him and talked to him and thanked him for loving me and for being such a wonderful husband. His breathing slowed over a few minutes and then just stopped. It was so peaceful. It was beautiful in its awful finality. I felt privileged to be there, holding his hand as he left me.
A dreamer and an engineer, endlessly curious; an avid experienced motorcyclist who could remember routes and road numbers going back years; an eager researcher and reviewer (cars, motorcycles/gear, and TV/stereo components always topped the list); lover of music and movies. A dependable friend, a loving brother and in-law and cousin and uncle, a kind and generous man, and the perfect-for-me husband who loved me unconditionally and helped me know my worth. We were thankful every single day that we'd found each other. Our 13 years together have been the happiest of my life.
If you'd like to give something in Jay's memory, please go to frontporchcville.org to see why he loved and supported this roots music school, and then click on "donate." You can leave a note in the payment section.
Hospice of the Piedmont's Hospice House and its team of nurses and caregivers enabled me to simply be with him during the last week without worrying about caretaking -- what a blessing. Check out hopva.org and "donate now."
I thank you all so much for the beams and love and food and companionship you have given us. Jay's cancer overtook him in the end but did not vanquish his spirit and zest for life.
I hereby release you from any restrictions in sharing your memories about Jay. To reach out to Norma, she is on FB as "Norma Gwaldis Maxvill" and her email is tmaxvill@att.net
Love, Louise
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