Momma
Beloveds, I am sad to tell you that Momma passed away on Friday night in her own home. She had made a decision to cease all medication except for pain control and had been ready to go for a few days. She was 92 and 1/2 years old.
After being with family all day, she asked her caregiver for Blue Bell ice cream. She ate some and then told the caregiver that she was full and handed her the bowl. The caregiver took to bowl to the kitchen sink and returned to wash mom’s hands. Mom said, “I’ve had enough.” She closed her eyes and was gone within seconds. It was peaceful. I am so comforted that she got her Blue Bell.
Here’s part of her obituary:
Jean married Paul in April of 1943 in the middle of World War II, and the newlyweds travelled to California while he was serving in the Army Air Corp. After the war, they returned to Houston where both of their families lived. As with many women of her generation, Jean was a full time wife and stay-at-home mom while her children were young. After her children entered high school, Jean started college to become a schoolteacher. She taught children with disabilities. She was very good at it.
Jean took up painting in her later years, and she was very good at that, too. Whether in a lush landscape of the Texas Hill Country or a moody abstract of Galveston Bay, Jean had an eye for the natural beauty of our state. Her many works hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren, where they will always be a source of comfort.
Jean’s first love was travel. She traveled extensively around the country and made exciting trips to Europe, the Holy Land, Mexico, and a cruise to Alaska. She proudly lived independently until her recent short hospital visit. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and reading. She was active in her neighborhood association and her church.
At her request, there are graveside services for the immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Star of Hope Mission in Houston or any organization helping to reunite children with their refugee parents at the border. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” Jame 2:14
I am going to miss her down deep hard. I’m going to take a week or so off (unless, of course, something wild happens and I can’t stop myself from hollering) and I deeply thank my friend El Jefe for keeping the doors here open for us.
Bubba and I will be going to the Texas Democratic State Convention in Fort Worth late next week. I need to be around friends and that’s where they will be.
I am so angry that I did not get to meet this wonderful woman! Blessings to you and yours.
1I wish you peace.
2So sorry about your Momma. The world is certainly not a better place without her; but, I am grateful she had a peaceful passing.
As per her wishes, I’ve made a donation to the ACLU. They have the lawyers to take on this maladministration and try to stop this ongoing horror.
3I am happy for your mother, for a life well lived and a peaceful death.
My condolences to you and your family.
Ps.
4I was finding it hard to keep my comments clean about republicans and Trump for momma.
In order to honor her memory I will try even harder!
So sorry for your loss. I was with my mother when she died eight years ago – seems like yesterday. The grief and loss is beyond explaining, other than the realization of what a great life she lived. Went thought the process again with my father two years ago. I understand and only have the best thoughts for you.
5My condolences Susan.
6I’m sorry for your immeasurable loss.
A sad loss, so glad you have a long lifetime of memories to keep her with you.
7My condolences. I got so used to seeing “Momma, don’t read this” and “Sorry, Momma,” in your column that I almost felt as if in a way I knew her. God love her, what a fascinating life she lived!
8So sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories of Momma and many hugs and prayers sustain you and the family.
9Glad she enjoyed the BlueBell. My mom had chocolate cake all over her face the night she passed.
Do not be surprised if for a couple of weeks you have a thought and pick up the phone to share it with your momma.
10So sorry, Susan and to Bubba and the family, for the loss of your Momma. My what a long life she had and obviously a life filled with fun and family and tons of love!
She seems deserving of the comment:
“Well done my good and faithful servant!”
We shall see you, JJ, when you return! Love & Hugs from CO
11I like your plan to be among friends at the convention this weekend. Your Mother raised a marvelous daughter.
My Mother died the day after Mothers Day, five years ago; it was just two weeks after my good friend, Suzanne, died after a lifetime overcoming the limitations of polio. I miss the both still although I realized a couple years ago that I’d stopped reaching for the phone to tell them about the perfect thing I’d just seen, read, or thought about. Now I smile and raise my eyes heavenwards.
I’ll be keeping you and yours in my thought and prayers.
12Susan and Don,
13You have Dorina and my deepest sympathies. You also have our gratitude for sharing Mama’s wisdom and humor here. She is now looking down on the messy political world with a powerful ally at her side.
All the best in the days, months and years to come,
James
May your memories be a blessing to you. She raised a wonderful daughter.
14I know you are heartbroken, and I’m so very sorry. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
15Deepest condolences. This next trip around the sun is the year of “firsts”. May each memory be comforting.
Fondly,
16Ruth
I am so sorry to read about the passing of your beloved Momma. Mine passed 9 years ago in August and I still miss her every day. How wonderful you have her lovely paintings to look at and comfort you. Loved the Blue Bell story. Blessings to all of you.
17Donation made.
Stories like your Blue Bell story will be among your sweetest memories. You are so lucky to have had her so long, but you will miss her all the more.
Remember the laughter.
18Your heart must be breaking. She was clearly awesome. May the great memories and the strength she gave you help you.
19I’m so sorry for your loss and happy for your memories of an amazing woman. Co be with your friends. Laugh and cry.
20Becoming orphaned is a terrible thing, and it really doesn’t matter how old we are when it happens. It hurts more than just about any other thing. Please know, through you, your momma was a blessing to us, too. Tonight, my heart aches for you and your family. I’m so very sorry.
21My heart goes out to you and your family. She sounds like a wonderful woman, very special to all who knew her. She reminds me of my late mama, another Texas grown teacher and traveler and caring person. Maybe they will meet up in heaven, where I believe they would be kindred spirits. Will hold you and yours in the Light, as we say in Quaker world.
22So very sorry to hear this news. There is nothing so painful as losing the one who gave birth to you. Mine passed on to the next great adventure 20 years ago this Christmas, and if you two had any type of “emotional baggage” between you, get ready for it to hit you upside the head. Be gentle with yourself as you grieve and remember, it takes as long as it takes. Time has a funny way of tempering the sadness as you celebrate the memory of the willful woman who gave you life. Sending you huge ol’ mountain bear hugs across the miles….
23I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful lady.
24I’m very sorry for your loss. Blessings on everyone who loved Momma.
25Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I’m glad she got to enjoy that last dish of Blue Bell.
26Momma must have been a very special woman to have raised such a wonderful daughter. I’m making a donation to the ACLU and making phone calls, for starters. Momma will be in my heart while I call congresscritters, no doubt helping me keep my language clean.
27From her obituary, and from the way you write about her, it is apparent that the world is a better place because of your mother’s life. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am so grateful for her life and for her gift to us: you. Sending you love and prayers.
28Thank you for sharing so much of your Momma with us, Susan. I’m so sorry for your loss and hope your good memories of your mother, along with your family and friends, bring you comfort.
29May peace like a river fill your heart and mind.
So very sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 9 years ago this month, so I understand the pain. At times, it takes my breath away. I am praying for you and your family.
30From us over here on the West Coast, sending love & hugs to you & your family for your loss.
31I’m so very sorry, Susan. What a long and wonderful life your momma led! Mine departed this Earth in December of 2015 at age 85. For at least a year I had to stop myself from “calling” her to tell about my kids, etc. Wishing you peace and good memories.
32Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. ~Henry Van Dyke
I hope y’all can sit around and tell lots of Momma stories and laugh and cry and celebrate a life well lived. She was a gift to so many more than maybe she ever realized.
33So sorry to see this, Susan. Peace to you and yours.
34May your Momma find peace, and may you and your families find support from each other as you mourn.
You are important to many of us. You are in our hearts.
35We are all better for having her wisdom, As manifested through her daughter.I
36I am sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman. It’s hard to lose your momma at any age, but it was a blessing that you had her for so long.
37Wishes for peace and solace~
38I am so sorry to hear of Momma’s passing. I promise I’ll still try to watch my language.
39So sorry to hear about Momma. Before my own mama passed, I’d call her while I was driving to work. There were several hawks that I’d see almost every day, and she’d ask if I didn’t say I’d seen one. Five years on, and I still think of her every time I see one. Never would have thought that a hawk would be what reminds me of her. Going to make a donation to the ACLU and go get some Bluebell.
40My condolences to you and Bubba and your family.
Your mama lived a long and wonderful life. I wish you comfort and peace in your sorrow. She taught you well and I am sure she is, like my own mother, in your heart and will stay there guiding you through life. Sending love and condolences from New Jersey.
41I am so sorry for your loss. I miss my mother like fire every day although she has been gone since 2013. Now I miss her with love and fond memories. Please let grief be replaced with happy thoughts soon.
42My deepest, sincerest condolences. I’m glad your momma got her ice cream and passed so peacefully.
43A beautiful lady is now shining up heaven.
Peace be with you.
44I am very sorry for your loss of your amazing mother. The world is a poorer place today.
45Sincere sympathy for the loss of your mother.
46My deepest sympathy for your loss. She had good taste in ice cream and she rests in peace knowing that you are carrying on her work.
47❤️
4892.5 years and with-it to the end – what a woman!
49I hope you remembered to ask all the questions you needed to ask. After my Mom died at almost 101 (she had lived at home till she broke her leg), I picked up the phone several times to call and ask her about someone or something or how she cooked this or that. Friends are the best to help you along the way.
50Thank you for all you do for the Democrats…