Broken Heart . . .

Today we lost the heart and light of our family.  My mom passed away after a long courageous battle with diabetes.

Mom's love for her seven children, seven grandchildren, great grandchild, sons and daughters-in-laws and future son and daughter in-law was deep and unqualified. 

She reveled in our accomplishments, and she felt sheer joy and delight in spending time with us, and she was pretty cool to hang out with!

Mom loved having us around; she was like my grandmother in that respect – the more the merrier!  

Mom @ her oldest granddaughter's graduation.

Mom loved a party, and she made great baked beans!  Mom loved the beach, and she loved shrimp!  We always had to have 2 bags at family parties, one for the family and one for mom! 

She loved being a Red Hatter and their “Queen Bee” - they were wonderful friends to mom when she moved to New Hampshire, they included her in everything, despite her medical problems. 

She had a fabulous sense of humor, a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh - that could be heard clear across a crowded room.

Mom with my cousin on Pie Day!

Mom set an example of what it meant to work hard – Mom worked full-time while mothering seven children - an amazing accomplishment!  She helped dad with his dairy business, She did catering, ran for State Rep, she was president of the Band Boosters, she sold Dutch-Maid clothing and her beloved Princess House crystal at home parties.

Last Christmas

Our world will be a foreign place without mom, we'll miss picking up the phone and chatting 5 - 7 times a day!  

It's also difficult to let go of the first hand you ever held. Yet even in this most difficult moment, we thank God that he blessed our family with her presence for so long. 

We are honored that she graced and enriched our lives, and we admire how she battled disease with courage.

Lastly, we take comfort in knowing that’s there’s a great Irish party going on in heaven right now, and that Dad is waiting for her with open arms, a warm smile and a fantastic welcoming committee of friends and family who have gone on ahead of her.  

Mom, "We love you more!"

The Honeymooners, together again!