Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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!



50 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom, prayers are out to you and your family. XO

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  2. Hello Mary:
    We are so very, very sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult of times.

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  3. My deepfelt condolence for losing your mom. Your post is very, very touching.

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  4. Mary, I'm so sorry for you!!! I'll say a pray for your mum.
    Love the pics you posted: you're a great family!!

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  5. So sorry to read your news - your Mom sounds such a great lady, she'll be living on in the younger generations of your family.

    The honeymoon photo is a treasure.

    Celia
    x

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  6. Mary, my condolences for losing your mother.
    Z.

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  7. Mary, what a wonderful tribute, I love this woman without ever having met her! Irish eyes in heaven are smiling.

    And I'm so sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family.

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  8. wow! Seven children!... now that's a legacy isn't it? I'm so sorry for your loss, it is so hard. I love the picture of your mum and dad, that's superb!... bake something wonderful in her honour won't you?

    love and hugs, Dom xxx

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  9. Our heartfelt sympathy. Please remember that it's not over. One day we will all be together again. Young, healthy and for eternity.

    Blessings

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  10. I am so very sorry no matter how old we are it is so hard to lose your mother.Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
    cathy

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  11. Oh Mary..........
    I'm so sorry about the loss of your mom. What a beautiful tribute to her. I know she's smiling down on you right now. Big hugs, Mika

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  12. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Your words about her were a lovely tribute. Prayers for you during this difficult time.
    Kim

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  13. What a lovely tribute to an obviously wonderful lady. With such sweet memories, she will always be right there with all of you.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  14. I just knew you would write a lovely tribute to your mother. She would have loved this post. She was a special woman and I know you will miss her. Love, Susan


    I remember coming into the old house on Fruit St. She was making meatballs for a few hundred people. There were a few other things cooking too. She was smiling and loving every minute of it.

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  15. A beautiful tribute to your mum and I am so very sad and sorry to hear about her passing away. I love the photo of her and your dad ~ what a wonderful image to keep in your mind and heart.......
    Karen

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  16. My thoughts are with you at this sad time, Mary. Yup... the Irish are having a celebration to welcome her into heaven right now! We love a good party. hugs, Sue

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  17. Mary, I am so sorry you've lost such a bright light in your family life ... this post, however, tells me that there is a lifetime's worth of memories and a legacy of foods that will bring your Mom back every time you share a story or make one of her signature dishes ... my condolences, dearie!

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  18. What a beautiful post full of love. Great memories that make me feel she will always be you.
    My sincere condolences to you and your family.
    Hugs,
    Rita

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  19. My condolences . . . your Mom sounds like she was one in a million. Women like her inspire everyone around them.

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  20. I'm sorry to hear of your loss. ::hugs::

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  21. I know she must have been a wonderful lady. I am so sorry for your loss. Your one line opened up a new perspective to me...."It's also difficult to let go of the first hand you ever held." I had never thought of it that way. Thank you and for that and God bless you and your family. Susan

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  22. Heavy-hearted for you!
    Why do natural things like this feel so wrong...
    Heal quickly, friend.

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  23. She sounds like an amazing woman, Mary. It also sounds like you really appreciated her throughout her life and had a deep connection to her. That will surely help you through this tough time. My thoughts are with you.

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  24. dear mary, i am so sorry to read about the loss of your mom...you wrote a beautiful tribute to her...i can feel your love for her....

    please accept my heartfelt sympathy, my friend.

    sending love and a hug,
    kary
    xx

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  25. I'm so, so sorry for your loss.
    Such a touching tribute.
    X

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  26. Dear Mary, I'm so sorry for your loss but knowing she is with your dad in Heaven must bring comfort. I have lost both my parents but know I'll see them in glory. Still the longing here on earth can be so strong. Sending big hugs and love to you today.
    Noreen

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  27. A beautiful tribute to an amazing mother. My heart goes out to you....
    xx
    julie

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  28. My deepest sympathies to you and your family, Mary. This was a beautiful tribute to your dear Mom. She looked like such a wonderful warm hearted and beautiful woman. I saw so much of her in you and your sisters in the last photo. May she rest in peace, safely home with the Lord and all the loved ones who have gone before.
    {{ Hugs}}

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  29. I am so very sorry for your loss. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers...I know how hard it can be! Hugs! ♥

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  30. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing thoughts and memories of this most incredible and lovely lady. I love the last photo of your mom and dad, precious. Please accept my sincere condolence, Julie of Dog Trot Farm.

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  31. I am so sorry for your loss. You have my sincerest sympathies.

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  32. Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She sounds like a fabulous woman. You and your family are in my thoughts an prayers. Hugs!

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  33. So very sorry for the loss of your mother.

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  34. Wonderful tribute to your Mom. You have so many great memories to cherish. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  35. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful mother.

    My heartfelt sympathies are with you Mary.

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  36. I'm so sad for you..... but it's true she's with your dad now.... hugs...Flavia

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  37. Mary, I'm so sad to learn of your loss. You've written a wonderful tribute to your mother. She sounds like an amazing woman and the kind of mom every kid wants. I know you will miss her greatly. I still miss my mom and it's been over twenty-five years. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs,
    Sam

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  38. I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to you.

    Lots of love and hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  39. I am so sorry for your loss, Mary. I lost my mother 6 years ago so I feel the pain you are going through. I love the photo of her in her Red Hat and Purple Dress. Your mother and father were such a cute couple too.

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  40. I am so sorry. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know it's a terrible loss.

    Velva

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  41. i am thinking about you today...and i wanted you to know it....

    sending love,
    kary
    xx

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  42. This was such a touching tribute you wrote for your Mother, and it is such a very sweet and comforting thought to know the honeymooners are once again reunited. Sending you my best wishes for comfort in your loss. ~Lili

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  43. Dear is my first time here and I read about your Mom I really sorry about your loss a Mom is special and lovely.
    This touch me too because my dad is diabetic and th last times have some sporblmes, you know about it!
    Send you my blessings and take care, gloria

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  44. My condolences; I cannot imagine your pain.

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  45. So sorry to hear this! My heart and prayers go out to you.

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  46. What a lovely and loving tribute for your Mom. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It seems like she left a lasting legacy full of love. No one could ask for more.

    Hugs
    ~Andrea

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  47. Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom! My deepest condolences to you and your sisters. I am so bad with keeping up with my blog reading list, and just saw this now. That is the best picture of your Mom and Dad. I'm Irish too, and I hope they are having some nice Jamieson in Heaven. :)
    Slainte to them in Heaven!
    I will say a pray for you and your family, and my your memories of your loving Mom sustain you.
    Best,
    Gloria

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  48. I was just reading more of your blog and saw this post...I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was very loved!

    annie

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