My Aunt died on Friday...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I'm sorry that she won't make it back to Hawaii.

She was a fine organist and pianist. Much of my love for music can be attributed to her. She was also a great Democrat. My Aunt and her husband worked hard to open minds during the Civil Rights and Gay Rights protests of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Her disdain for the current misadministration probably didn't help her physical condition any.

She died from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We were under the impression that she'd have a few more months left; and doctors were surprised by her rapid decline over the last few days. My mom was able to get out to visit with her before she passed away, fortunately.

Many thanks to all the DUers who sent their prayers and good vibes for her. Her suffering was minimal, and she actually died in her sleep.

Rest in peace, Aunt LaVerna. I'm going to be missing you for a long time...

[NewWaveChick1981]

1. GoG, I'm so sorry.

:hug: I'm sorry for you and your family, and I'm sorry she never made it back to Hawaii. :hug: :pals:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Thanks, NewWaveChick...

:hug:

[lildreamer316]

2. Love to you dear.

Sorry for your loss. Honors to her life in activisim! And anyone who inspires a love of music is surely blessed, don't you think?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. She was, indeed, Lildreamer...

Thanks for your kind words. :hug:

[miss_american_pie]

3. I'm sorry for your loss

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Thank you...

:hug:

[flamingyouth]

4. I'm very sorry for your loss

I didn't know she was ill and I'm sorry that I missed any threads about her condition. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of this amazing-sounding woman. I've always felt that people who have such a huge impact on our lives never really leave us, though; they do live on in our work and our hearts. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. As long as the work she did lives,

so does she. It's true...
Thanks for that reminder. :hug:

[ThomCat]

5. I'm very sorry, GoG.

I hope the rest of your family is well and handling this well.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Thank you, dear ThomCat...

I wish I could be with my mom right now; but I know that as long as she's busy making arrangements and such, she'll be ok. It's going to be toughest on her when she gets back home, I think.

Her birthday is on Friday. My dad passed away the day before her birthday 13 years ago. 9/11 was only four days before. And now her sister has died a week before. Early September is not going to be an easy time for her...

:hug:

[ThomCat]

14. If she is prone to depression, then September

may be a time to keep an eye on your Mom every year. I hope she's a strong person. You too. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. She is...

Worse yet, she's a licensed social worker, and will not listen to recommendations of counseling. She'll diagnose everybody except herself.

We try to spend a lot of time with her at this time of year.

[buddhamama]

6. I am so sorry, GoG

truly sorry for your loss. Your Aunt sounds like a wonderful person. The ones we love live on in our hearts and minds, alive within us.

May Aunt LaVerna be at Peace.

:( :hug: :grouphug: :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. Thanks so much, Buddhamama...

:hug:
She was a wonderful person. I'm sure she'll be missed by many; because she touched so many lives.

[REDKING]

7. My thoughts and prayers to you....

to sleep per chance to dream......Peace..RK

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. Thank you, Redking...

I'm glad she was able to leave in peace...
:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear GoddessOfGuinness........

My deepest condolences to you on your dreadful loss.......

Perhaps this little poem will help you, and your family, now........

Life is eternal;

And love is immortal;

And death is only a horizon;

And a horizon is nothing

Save the limit of our sight...


From a Hallmark card, long ago......:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. Thank you, dear Peggy...

:hug:

[tigereye]

17. so sorry, Goddess

sounds like she was a neat lady. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

21. She was a neat lady...

Thanks for the hug, my friend. :hug:

[Miss Marmelstein]

19. I'm so sorry for your loss, GOG....

Our thoughts are with you.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. Thank you, Miss Marmelstein...

:hug:
That means a lot to me...

[nini]

23. Oh NO!! I am so sorry to hear this.

:cry: :cry:

Thankfully her passing was quiet - that's probably the only good thing about that disease. :-(

Sympathies to all of you who mourn her. :hug: :cry:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

28. Thank you so much, Nini...

It's fortunate that her suffering was not a prolonged affair. She really did quite well until this past spring, when she needed to have transfusions more frequently. She was able to go home, and my mom and her children were nearby to be with her at the end. :hug:

[Arkham House]

24. She--and you--will be in my prayers tonight...

...God bless you both--and your family...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. Thank you, Arkham House...

Prayers are most welcome...especially from you. :hug:

[bigwillq]

25. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. Thanks for the hug...

Hugs truly speak volumes... :hug:

[In_The_Wind]

26. I'm very sorry for your loss, GoddessOfGuinness.

Rest in peace, Aunt LaVerna.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

33. Thanks Joanie...

:hug:

[bridgit]

27. that's very sad, GoG; safe passage Aunt LaVerna...

O8)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

34. She's with loved ones...

I don't doubt that. Thanks, Bridgit. :hug:

[bridgit]

38. yes ma'am, no doubt...

:hug:

[Kajsa]

29. I'm so sorry, GoddessofGuiness.

She sounds like a terrific lady.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
at this difficult time.

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. Thank you for your kind thoughts...

She was a terrific lady who touched many hearts...many lives. :hug:

[Broken_Hero]

30. I'm sorry to hear that....

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

37. Many thanks, Petersond...

:hug:

[Floogeldy]

35. I do not know on what days of the week my aunts died.

But they are all dead. I was too young to remember. If everything goes well, your aunts will die before you. If not, then you will die and your aunts will be at your funeral if they are still alive.

Either way, all of our predecessors, be they aunts or nephews, are dead.

We are all going to die. Billions have died.

It can't be that bad.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

39. Interestingly, her aunt is still alive, at age 93...

My great aunt is quite frail, but still with us. I'm a little worried about how she will take this news. I don't believe she was told of my aunt's illness, because they didn't want to worry her.

Death, for the dying, can come as a relief. For the survivors who will miss them, it's sad. :hug:

[u4ic]

40. My condolences to you, GoG

What a lovely tribute to her. She was an amazing woman. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

42. Thanks, U4ic...

:hug: She was indeed...

[merh]

41. My condolences, GoG.

May the love and memories you shared ease the pain and bring you comfort. :hug:

Rest in peace, Aunt LaVerna.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

43. Thank you, my friend...

Though she lived on the other side of the country from me, I always felt very close to her. The fact that she knew my mom so well, and knew how to deal with her little quirks with grace helped me learn how to at least attempt to follow suit.

Not that my mom's all that hard to take...It's just easier to understand her, somehow, when I view her as someone's kid sister.

[merh]

44. I understand

:hug:

Again, you and yours are in my prayers :pals: :loveya: