I am so sorry that she has passed. In honor of your mom I will do just that. Reach out and make a memory. I can't think of a better way to honor a life.

My deepest sympathy. I will see my mother in law tomorrow and we will sketch together in the park. That will give us both joy and a wonderful memory.

((((((Bestyears)))))) So sorry about your mom. So glad you have great memories to hold on to.

Best, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. You are fortunate to have such wonderful memories.

My sincere condolences. You and your mom made wonderful memories for you to cherish.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Best. I'm glad that her transition was peaceful and pray that all your wonderful memories bring you much peace.

My condolences to you and your family.

Oh, Best. I am just now seeing this. I am so sorry. Hold on to those memories. They will always comfort you.

I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss, Best.

Bestyears, I am so sorry. Please accept my condolences.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your loss. Your memories of your time with your mom are lovely and will help get you through this. So glad that your son was able to visit her right before the quarantine.

I am so sad for you and your family. Cherish the memories of a life well lived.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Oh, Best. I am so sorry to read of your mother’s passing. I am glad you have lovely memories to sustain you.

Oh Best, I am so very sorry to hear. Thank you for sharing stories of your mom with us in some of your other threads-- your mom clearly had a life well lived. I hope they continue to bring some joy to you and your family. That's the one thing I have discovered while grieving, there can be joy with the sadness. My thoughts are with you.

i am so very sorry for your loss. What a lovely relationship you had with your mother. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

What a sweet tribute to the memory of your mother. It's obvious how much she was loved and will be missed by her family. A life well-lived, it seems.

Thank you again for the continued support. I worked on writing my mom‘s obituary today, which is of course difficult but also feels like an honor. She had some difficult times in her adult life at the hands of people who should have treasured her. I want to be sure her wonderful spirit is captured as well as the fact that she was so loved and treasured by so many. She deserves at least this moment in the sun. It is starting to sink in that I can never call her again, and that’s so hard. Fortunately I’ve kept nearly all of her voicemails over the last few months, and it gives me immeasurable comfort to know that I can play them at any time and hear her say, “Good morning sweetie, it’s just mom......”

It is so difficult to navigate this with the Corona constraints in place. We just cannot gather to celebrate her. My head understands why but my heart feels like this is such a disservice to her. We siblings are scattered all over the country, and we will do something for her at her beloved NH coastline when that is possible. But for now, DH, DS, DD, and I will find a way to be together and share her memories in a way that feels sacred and demonstrates our gratitude to her.

Her nursing home caregivers are just devastated.. They did not expect her to die. They have called us three times and they have ended up sobbing each time. We feel terribly for them. They kept Covid at bay all this time, and then just two weeks ago got their first Covid-positive employee. Unfortunately they could not get enough tests to immediately test everyone, and now here they are. My mom was not tested until she got to the hospital for that reason. Now they have tested everyone and they have 49 positive and 1 more suspected resident, and another 32 workers confirmed and 7 suspected. This is a war zone for them, and our hearts just ache for them.

Anyway, sorry for carrying on here. Thank you again -I can never repay you for all your kind words.

Bestyears, it is an amazing thing to write an obituary. I found it a gift to do it for my father. I hope you will, too. Will you be able to have a burial, even if not a full funeral?

bpath, her wishes were always to be cremated, so that is what we've done. We will keep her ashes in an urn until we can scatter them.

I like the way you put it, Bestyears, a "moment in the sun." It is an honor and a catharsis to write an obituary. I am sure whatever you write, it will be wonderful. Be sure to include the little things as well as the momentous, classic obituary topics. To those who love her, it's those things that make up the mosaic of the person.

Bestyears, I have been away from the computer today and am so sorry to hear you mom has passed. I remember that realization that I couldn't all her -- even after she had Alzheimer's that was hard. I can only imagine how much harder it must be when you just had good times with her. But what a treasure that you had them! I wrote my mom's obituary and then my dad's. It is an honor to pay tribute -- and a gift when you do.

Bestyears, I am so very sorry for your loss. This well-known Irish blessing has always seemed a fitting send off whether for a journey away from home or from this world. Rest In Peace, Joyce.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Oh no Bestyears. I am so sorry for your loss.

My friend's father was cremated in Nov. after he died but due to a lot of things going on they could not hold a memorial service. They held it later in the spring and it was very, very nice. That is one positive about holding a service later. It is actually a harder time months later after the person dies, after the shock wears off. It's nice then to do something positive to keep on remembering the good times. Grieving is a process, give yourself time and seek out the support you need, even virtual. Feel free to post the obituary here once it is public. I turned my Mom's obituary into a blog post in her honor eventually. There are lots of ways to process this loss. But the situation at the nursing home sounds like a nightmare!

Bestyears, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved mom. Holding you close in my heart.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear Mom, Bestyears. I am glad your Mom had a peaceful passing and that your son was able to be with you. Wishing you and your family peace.

My sympathies to you and your family.

I am very sorry Best!

My sympathies to you and all of your family. Cherish the happy memories of her.

My mom's obituary is up if anyone would like to read:

Mom's Obituary

That was just wonderful!! What a lovely tribute to your Mom, from the first sentence to the last.....thank you for sharing this with us.

That is perfect, gives the reader who may not know Joyce a real sense of who she was, feel like they knew here, wish they knew her. And I'll bet hey family and everyone who was lucky enough to know her is thinking " yes, I remember that! And remember when..." And the stories will flow. Beautiful.

Oh Best, that was wonderful. What joie de vivre! I enjoyed reading it and getting a glimpse into your Mom and her life; you're a great writer.

It is a beautiful obituary. Your mother sounds delightful.

I think your Mother’s obituary was lovely and reflected the sparkle in her eyes I see in her photograph. I’m so sorry for your loss. I read the comments under the obituary and was reminded of the poem, “High Flight.“ Here’s a link in case you’re not familiar with it.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/highflig.htm

What a beautiful tribute to your mother.

@Bestyears - I;m just seeing this now and I am so sorry. The tribute to your mom was so warm and loving, she sounds like she was a great mom. My thoughts are with you and your family.

The tribute to her life is perfect.

Bestyears, I'm so terribly sorry. Your obituary is a wonderful tribute to her. She sounds like a wonderful woman. You chose your Mom well. It took me 7 months after my Mom passed before I could consider a memorial for her as it was simply too sad and painful for me. But with time and as I healed, I was able to have a memorial just like she would've wanted, full of friends, family, love, laughter and memories we all shared. I was glad it was that way, and having something for her later may work for you and your family as well.

Sending you thoughts of comfort, strength, solace and healing as you go through this difficult time.

Bestyears, what wonderful tribute to your mom. She is someone I would have loved to have met.

Thank you all for reading my mom’s obit. Unfortunately, I know there are people who are reading it and are quite shocked. But we’ve been limited to reaching out to the few contacts that she kept in her phone and otherwise handy. Anyway, we’re all doing the best we can. Thank you again.

Your loving tribute to your mom was just heartwarming to read. What a life well lived and wonderful memories for your family. Peace...

Bestyears, that is beautiful and what a wonderful tribute to your mom.

Bestyears, your mom sounds like an amazing woman. You did a lovely job describing her and it gave us a glimpse into your very loving relationship. My deepest sympathy on your loss.

Wow! That is one of the very best, most heartfelt and upliffting obituaries I have every read! Your mom sounded liike the kind of woman everyone loved. I am sure you will miss her dearly but it sounds like she led the best possible life and you two were lucky to have one another... along with the rest of your family. Much love to you and yours. ((((HUG))))

What a beautiful tribute to your mom. My deepest sympathies on your loss.

You wrote such a beautiful tribute to your Mom. I hope all her friends and those who loved her can read it with a smile and love in their hearts. Take care, and hugs to you.

Such an incredible obituary filled with love. My condolences to all who miss your lovely mom.