Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear.
– Anonymous
The world lost a wonderful woman last week and my sisters and I lost a part of our heart. Our mother passed away on February 25th after a brief illness.
I was able to get back to Minnesota to see her during her last few days and my sisters and I were with her when she passed away.
She was a beautiful woman with a zest for life unlike anyone else I’ve ever known. She could make you smile just by the way she answered the phone. I don’t remember her ever saying an unkind word about anyone.
She raised us to be strong, independent women. Mom worked all of her adult life. She valued education and she always told us that we needed to be able to take care of ourselves . . . that we could not depend on someone else to take care of us.
Mom always had a great fashion sense. No matter if she was going to work, out to dinner or just down to the local grocery store, she always looked her best. Somehow, I didn’t inherit that fashion sense gene, but I surely did appreciate it. Growing up, I always thought she was very glamorous.
Our dad passed away far too soon 23 years ago. Mom lived by herself independently since then. She loved her independence and balked at the idea of anyone ever having to take care of her.
Above all, she loved her family. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was excited to know that she was going to be a great-grandmother 3 times over this summer.
I think the greatest honor we can give our mother is to live our lives the way she did — with joy, happiness, love, and to live our best life.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
My heart goes out to you Maralee. Losing my mother was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life so far. It helped me when others who had suffered a similar loss reminded me that she will be with me always. A little over a year later, I know that is true. I grieved hard and long. Allow yourself whatever it is you need to do. Hugs.
Thanks so much Christine. I know she will be with me always. Its so hard not to be able to pick up the phone to call her. But I talk to her every day in my heart.
What a lovely tribute, Mar. She was a striking woman. However, boy do you look like your dad!
Thanks, Mo. Everyone always told me how much I look at my dad. When I was a kid, I could walk into a store in town and people who never saw me would ask if I was Wesley’s daughter. It was a small town though so it probably didn’t take too much deduction. 🙂
So sorry for your loss Maralee. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.
Thank you, Madhu.
My prayers are with you and your family as you grieve for a beautiful and loving mother, grandmother, and great great grandmother. She would be very proud of your tribute. Her legacy will live on for generations.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you, Francine. I can see her in her great-grandson and I’m sure will see here in the new great-grandchildren to come.
Maralee,
I know only too well what you are going through right now. Auntie Ruthie was so special to me, too. Her passing was quite sudden, so the shock of that still seems hard to believe that she is gone. I love the photos you posted, especially the one with both your Mom and Dad. They made such a beautiful couple. Your Mom was quite a stunner and very glamorous with her dark hair as we were growing up. I will miss her so much, too. Her joy of life was infectious.
Love, Judy
Thanks, Judy. We have so many memories from when we were kids. Sue and I were reminiscing at the service. Those can never be taken away.
I am so sorry for your loss, Maralee. She will always be in your heart and you can feel secure knowing the gifts she gave to you and your family. What a beautiful, lovely woman. Thanks for sharing a piece of her life with us.
Thank you, Gina.
My condolences on the loss of your mother and a hug.
Thank you so much.
She looked like a person liking herself and her life. One can feel the love and the admiration you feel for her. I think it really is true…we never loose the strong connection to people we loved. They live in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Thank you. She will live on forever in our hearts.
Thank you. That is beautiful. I had to share it with my sisters.
Wonderful tribute to what sounds like a wonderful woman. My deepest condolences.
Thank you.
What a beautiful tribute, Maralee. My condolences to you and your family for the loss of your mother. These images capture so much. What a fantastic and warm smile!
Thank you, Melanie. She had such a positive outlook on life and lived it to the fullest.
I am sorry too dear Maralee, for your loss. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. Love, nia
Thank you, Nia.
So sorry for your loss Maralee. It is clear that you’ve lost someone very special. May your mom rest in peace, and may you and your family find comfort in the happy memories you have.
Thank you so much.
Maralee, how are you doing??? What a beautiful post … to a very beautiful lady. So sorry for your lost – but I know that your mum is keep your heart warm too … forever. And the distance between them and us – is only a breath. They are very close. 90 years old, just like my mom!!!
We are both lucky that we had them for so long time ..
I feel blessed that we had mom with us for so long. And her mind was sharp and alert to the end. She had a good, active life and lived it to the fullest.
Maralee, nice to read … my mom was clear as a crystal ball … but her body was giving up on her, not fair.
Moms is always moms where ever they are. *smile
Maralee, what a wonderful tribute to your mom. She sounds like she was an amazing woman! My thoughts are with you.