Elma Ruth Peterie

07/23/1939 - 03/23/2024

Elma Ruth Peterie was born in Bakersfield Ca, she raised 5 children working often 3 jobs as a single mother, she was a LPN, Bartender, Waitress, and often worked odd jobs. She was not only my mom, but my best friend. She often would sing as she did household chores, and at one time sang with a band at the VFW, and Legon. My mother was a strong independent woman, no one could control, or take her independence.

Fly high mom, till we meet again.

Friends and Family:

Andrew Holcomb, Chance Kesterson, Amanda Rathman, Brian Kesterson, Betty Van Heemskerck, Destiny Kesterson, Michael Farrow, Lisa Marie Aragon.

Edwin Frederick "Rick" Grunwald III

09/15/1949 - 02/25/2024

Edwin Fredrick “Rick” Grunwald age 74, was called to the Lord February 25,2024. He was born in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire. September 15,1949 to Edwin Fredrick Grunwald II and Charlotte Duckworth. He is survived by his precious wife, Vicky Grunwald, his fur babies, two children, Eddie Grunwald and Julia Kidd. Grandchildren: Ashley (David) Lashlee, Aaron Mosley, Erika (Anthony)Dillon, Kyle Fritter. Great- Grandchildren: Eva, Isla, Elaina, Jaxson (Julia), Eden, Emelia, Audra, Asher (Becky), Kallie and Delta (Eddie). He loved animals and helping others, and will be dearly missed. Proceeded in death: Edwin Grunwald(father), Charlotte Grunwald(mother), Rivers Grunwald(grandchild) and Becky Grunwald(daughter). In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter in his honor.

Larry M Ludwig

05/02/1949 - 01/14/2024

Larry Michael Ludwig, 74, of Tampa, Florida passed on January 14, 2024, at home with his loving wife of 32 years, Joan, and beloved Cavapoo, Freyja. He is survived by his sister Lyn Conery, nephews Eric and Matt Aarli, and niece Melissa Hartline. He is predeceased by his parents Virginia Klauser Ludwig and Wilbur Glenwyn Ludwig, maternal grandparents Emily and Henry Klauser, and paternal grandparents Ida and Elmer Ludwig. Larry lived in Wisconsin during his early years. He often voiced fond memories of time he spent with his grandparents who passed on their family traditions to him such as making brats from scratch. When he was in eighth grade the family moved to Rockford. After high school Larry initially pursued a pre-seminary program in college focused on philosophy and religious studies. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Larry was posted stateside and in Thailand and Guam. Larry had a soft heart for his dogs all of whom he and Joan dubbed with Viking names. He was devoted to his large, gentle Weimaraners and during the last five years doted on tiny Freyja with her calming influence. Larry had a life-long passion for music. He was a self-taught guitarist, bassist, pianist, and drummer and played enthusiastically with several local bands over the years. Later in life he realized a long-standing dream and was ordained as a pastor with the Universal Life Church, championing its values of religious freedom, social justice, and spiritual expression. Larry was always ready for lively discussions and particularly enjoyed debating religion, philosophy, history and of course music. Nourishing family relationships and friendships was rewarding to him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was endearing to all who knew him. Larry will be remembered for his kind, generous heart and accepting nature, believing deeply in the inclusion of all individuals. Larry will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He and Joan would be happy if all who knew him toasted and celebrated his life.

Joan’s Tribute to Larry

Larry was an incredibly special, talented, unique person, but he didn’t let many people close enough to see and know the “real” Larry. My hope is that by sharing my tribute with both our families, friends both old and new, some may come to understand there was so much more to this man I fell in love with. Larry had such a big heart, a beautiful soul and will always be the love of my life and my soulmate!

Our journey begins when we met at work and eventually started dating. When it became clear that our relationship was getting more serious, it led to a company decision that one of us had to leave. At the time, Larry was not very happy there, so it was an easy decision for us to make. This decision allowed Larry to make an even bigger, major life-changing decision, which turned out to be one of Larry’s greatest accomplishments in his life. He enrolled in college, at 42, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, specializing in several computer programming languages. He graduated top of his class with a 4.0 GPA and was included in the “Who’s Who Book of College Graduates!” WHAT A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT! I was so impressed and proud of him! Larry & I had so much fun, love and always laughter in our life together! We would have long conversations about anything and everything. We loved each other for who we were inside our hearts. Then, the more we were together we fell in love with each other. To Larry & I, to love a person and to be in love with them were two different things. We felt blessed that we both loved each other and were also deeply in love with each other! Before getting into my memories of Larry, that I feel made our relationship so special, I would first like to take a few minutes to share two very magical events that happened to me within days of Larry’s passing. Both events took place while I was transferring all our years of pre-digital photos & memorabilia from cardboard boxes (5 or 6 to be exact) into plastic containers for safer keeping. Then I would put all the Vietnam Veteran donation items into the cardboard boxes for pickup. I was just randomly grabbing handful after handful and transferring them to the new plastic containers. During this process is when the two magical events occurred. I personally believe the two events I will be sharing were meant to happen and were, in fact, communications to me from Larry. However, everyone reading this tribute, please continue reading about these events with your own beliefs….. The first magical event was when I eventually got to a box of photos and memorabilia Larry brought with him from Rockford. Suddenly ONE single photo slipped from the very middle of the handful I was currently holding. As I bent to pick up the photo, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I do not believe Larry ever remembered he even had this photo. It was a normal family photo, but there, right in the front, stretched out Regally on the grass, his head held high, was ODIN! I could not believe it! After almost 34 years, I finally got to SEE Odin! OH, how I wished so much that I could have found and shared this photo with Larry! I will cherish it always! Larry absolutely loved his first Weimaraner, Odin, and missed him dearly. I asked him many times over the years if he was sure he did not have any photos of Odin. He always answered, “no, he didn’t remember ever taking any photos of Odin”. Since this was before mobile phones with cameras, it was believable. So, Larry started telling me story after story of Odin’s humorous antics, adventures, and all the funny and special things Odin did. I started to feel like I almost knew Odin. It was at this time I also realized how much more love Larry had in his heart to share. It was an awesome reality to learn about the man I fell in love with! The second magical event was a brief time later that same day, still working on my photo transferring project. This time, a small card, like one from a florist when they delivered flowers. This small card also just fell out of a handful mixture of photos and memorabilia I was currently holding. On the left side of the card was a partial picture of a rose bush. This immediately brought back the memory of our first Valentines Day together. Instead of sending me a dozen red roses delivered from a florist, which would eventually die or at least start wilting within a week or so, Larry personally delivered a whole rose bush in a 5-gallon bucket to me! A rose bush could be planted and provide me with roses for years to come. But even more important to me than the gesture of a rose bush, were the words Larry wrote to me on the card. YOU MAKE ME SMILE,
YOU MAKE ME LAUGH,
YOU HAVE MADE ME WHOLE! I LOVE YOU! Such simple, beautiful and powerful words! Please…..take just a minute to think of these two seemingly random events. The ONE photo that had clearly slipped through my fingers by accident, was a photo of Larry’s dearly loved Weimaraner ODIN. Larry would have given anything to have had this photo, offering him comfort, during the last several years that were his most difficult. Then the rose bush card from our first Valentine’s Day, with such a beautiful sentiment for me, written in his own hand, also clearly slipping through my fingers by accident, (OR WERE THEY BY ACCIDENT? YOU DECIDE…..)! ON TO HAPPY STORIES AND SPECIAL MEMORIES…. In our earlier days, Larry was always home from work before me. But no matter what time I turned into our apartment complex, there he’d be, with a big smile, sitting on the top beam of the wooden entrance fence, sipping a cold Bud long neck, barefoot as usual, with another cold Bud long neck in his back pocket just for me. It gave me such a warm, fuzzy feeling to know the man I loved really cared about me and was always so excited to see me come home! Larry, as only Larry can be, was always doing little silly things to make me laugh. He made it his life’s mission to keep me smiling or better yet, laughing! This was an endearing trait to me. He would do silly things, like ducking into the fitting room at a store in the mall, where I was trying on new blue jeans. He would sneak in quickly, grab me and kiss me silly, while we both tried to be quiet and not laugh aloud so we wouldn’t get caught! We had no table to eat on in our tiny apartment, because musical instruments took precedence, and covered the entire dining room, from end to end. So, dinner was always served on a blanket (we dubbed it as our “Cancun Blanket” because that’s where we were hoping to go on our honeymoon) laid on the living room floor. Once we borrowed my mom’s homemade pasta maker and started making big bowls of angel hair pasta with just butter and Parmesan cheese. Then we sat on the blanket, the bowl between us, and fed each other! However, after several months of eating homemade angel hair pasta several times a week, we noticed our clothes getting a little tighter, so we quickly returned the pasta maker to my mom. We did, however, make it to Cancun for our honeymoon. Since Larry was still in college at the time, the only time he had available to get married and be able to have time off for a real honeymoon, was during spring break. It never occurred to us “old folks” that families not only allowed, but paid, for their 18–20-year-old kids to fly to Mexico for spring break. But the joke was on us, because when we walked out on our balcony, overlooking the beautiful Caribbean waters and sandy beach, the first thing we witnessed was a wet T-shirt contest on the beach just below us! We cracked up laughing hysterically! Although, honeymoon or not, I’m sure Larry enjoyed the view. The first time we went for a ride in his truck, he slipped in an Oldies cassette, and I started singing along with the music. He stopped the truck, turned to me, looking totally dumbfounded, not believing that I even knew these oldies songs, or that I knew the words well enough to sing along with the music! He assumed, being 7 years older than me, I wouldn’t know any of the oldie songs he loved so much. I just laughed at him, reminded him that 7 years was not that far apart, and even more importantly, I still grew up in the 60s and 70s, just a little bit later than him. Although Rock N Roll was the most predominant music I listened to during and after my high school years, it didn’t mean I wasn’t familiar with, liked, or listened to tunes from Motown, Oldies, Blues, or any other 60s & 70s music. But I think we both drew the line when Disco came out, followed by Rap then HipHop! We just couldn’t get into any of them the way we did OUR music! We both had a lot of fun singing all kinds of music together, especially when on a road trip. AH…..road trips; another thing we had in common & both loved! FAMILY…..We Should Never Forget How Precious They Are? Larry only had one sibling, Lyn, two years younger. Over the years, Lyn & Larry had grown to form a special bond between them. Their bond continued to grow until it was a genuine love and understanding of siblings, the way families should be. When Lyn’s 3 children were born, Larry brought a small stuffed teddy bear to the hospital for each new baby born. When his nephews grew up, married, and started having their own babies, Larry made sure they understood that as the NEW UNCLE, they needed to continue to carry this tradition into the future, and they did! They were his only family, and they ALL meant the world to him! He adored them all and spoiled his two nephews and niece, as only an uncle can do. They were his entire world, until I came into his life. But even then, his love for his family never wavered. As the boys got older Lyn allowed Larry to take Eric and Matt for the day. He taught them how to fish, in the Kishwaukee river, where it was always “catch and release.” Eventually Lyn gave in and allowed her brother to take her only daughter, Melissa, along, not sure how her brother would do with a little girl. Larry also had a few reservations at first, but then he treated her just like the boys and she loved her uncle for that. Larry also made sure the boys knew it was also their job to help watch out for their little sister. They still remember the teachings and traditions their uncle taught them to this day, and they still talk about their experiences with their “kick ass” Uncle Larry! They all really missed each other when he moved to Florida. But we flew to Rockford for every high school graduation, wedding, birth, and as many events as we could. He was at every soccer game, and no doubt Larry was the loudest one in the bleachers, punching his fist in the air each time as he shouted out the chant he created, which was their last name (Aarli, Aarli, Aarli), whenever they scored a goal. The chant can still be heard today, only now it is for his great nephew, 17-year-old, Aidan, following in his father’s footsteps. I can attest to this, as I recently was able to attend a national soccer tournament, in Florida, where Aidan was selected to play on one of the teams, while the college scouts sat on the sidelines watching. However, Larry was there in spirit, as my best friend, Penny, and I were there to be sure to continue Larry’s long-lived Ludwig tradition, the “Aarli, Aarli, Aarli” chant with fists pumping in the air as we yelled each word. An especially funny Christmas story comes to mind and is definitely “Typical Larry”. Those who really knew him, knew he was just a big kid at heart, but he had a canny way of being able to put his mindset into whatever age his niece or nephews were at any specific time, and somehow always found the perfect gifts for all 3 of them. One Christmas, Larry’s “perfect gifts” were automatic water guns for his two nephews, which required batteries to work, and his niece Melissa received a “hand pump water gun”. To give Mellisa a fighting chance to get back at her two older brothers, his solution was simply to wrap the batteries required for the boys’ automatic water guns, separately, addressing the gift to his sister Lyn. Lyn caught on quickly, taking her time giving the batteries to her two older sons, therefore, giving her daughter the chance her Uncle Larry wanted her to have. She came out fighting with her hand pump water gun to soak her brothers before they could get the batteries from their mom and into their water guns to start fighting back. It was a perfect solution to Larry’s way of thinking, until we called Christmas Eve when they were opening their gifts, and the first thing Lyn said was “Geez, thanks a lot Larry, you do know I now have water all over my living room, furniture, floors, windows, me, everywhere” but, she was laughing as she said it, because she knew her big brother! Family memories and traditions taught, big or small, that are continued today. What a wonderful legacy he left with all of them.
Larry taught me how to love dogs of all kinds, but especially big ones like Weimaraners. We got our first Weimaraner, “Brisco Blue Persuasion” aka Brisco, at 8 weeks old. He had such huge paws and grew big very quickly, to 110 pounds and 3-4 inches taller than the breed typically gets. Our Vet started calling him a mutant. He was a gentle soul but oh so protective of me! Two years later we got our second Weimaraner, Aarli – no addition to the name necessary, the name said it all. By that time, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the breed. We had 5 Weimaraners during our years together, usually two at a time. BRISCO, AARLI, THOR and RIKA.
When we started the downsizing process, preparing for our retirement, we still had Thor & Rika – two Weimaraners we rescued. It was quite a challenge to bring an 80-pound and a 95-pound Weimaraner from a house with a huge fenced in backyard and two doggie doors so they could come and go as they please, into an apartment environment with no yard to run in and where they had to be walked on a leash. So, I started working on convincing Larry that in our “golden years”, as much as I loved and would miss big Weimaraners, being in an apartment environment wasn’t fair to them. Weimaraners needed a place to run free and chase squirls, etc. It wasn’t easy or quick, but after (Thor 11 & Rika 13) both had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I finally convinced Larry our next dog should be a small one. He always teased me that Freyja, a Norse name for a female Valkyrie meaning “Goddess of Beauty”, our new “little” Cavapoo was my dog and not his, because she was such a little thing, maybe 8-10 pounds when we got her, and now at 5.5 years, she is only 16 pounds. I was the one who usually walked the dogs, but when Larry walked with us, I could tell him the neighborhood dogs Freyja was just ok with or even disliked, which happened to mostly be the little ones, like her, the big dogs, like labs, labradoodles, Golden Retrievers, Weimaraners, etc. she loved best, and they were really her best dog friends! Our Vet says that’s because SHE IS A BIG DOG AT HEART!
However, Freyja really loved Larry & despite her small size, there was no way in the world that Larry could convince me he did not love her back just as much as our Weimaraners. Every time she saw him, she would run and make a leaping jump into his lap, her tail wagging as fast as it could, licking his whole face. There was no way he could deny her love for him or his love for her! FRIENDS…..Where would we be without our Best Friends?
I can’t write a tribute to Larry without mentioning his longtime best friends. Best friends for 50+ years, who all came when he really needed them, just from a phone call request from me. All I asked was for them to help Larry get through the roughest few years of his life. They all immediately jumped right in, with no hesitation, giving Larry exactly what he needed. They lifted his spirits, made him laugh and smile, reliving shared memories, and before long Larry was telling his own stories, memories, jokes, etc., until they were laughing together. They allowed Larry to forget, for a time, issues in his life he had no control over, but was having a tough time dealing with the loss of that control. This also allowed me the time I needed to hang on to my #1 goal, watching over the man I loved to ensure his total health was taken care of properly, which wasn’t as easy of a task as it should have been. Jim Peterson, Jim Purdin and Larry all met their freshman year in high school band, Fall of ’63. Jim Purdin & Larry played Cornet until Larry switched to Timpani. These two long-time special friends, with their love of music a common theme, and as Jim Peterson put it, “the rest is truly history.”
Then there was Johnny Schiro. He and Larry met at a party in 1970 and immediately became friends. Again, with music a common theme, Larry played keyboard while Johnny played bass, in Johnny’s Dad’s Country band on a weekly radio show, along with playing at various clubs and bars. They became best friends throughout the years, and we never missed visiting Johnny and his family every time we were in town on vacation, or when they vacationed in Florida.
I must include Carl Fortunato in this group of best friends. It was an incredibly special friendship, created by a bond that grew from being thrown together, always looking out for each other, trying to find and keep humor and joy in their life, while in a foreign country in the middle of the Vietnam War. You can’t get much tighter than that!
These four incredibly special people continued keeping Larry’s spirits up, keeping him laughing and smiling through the last several and most difficult years of his life. It was a precious gift that neither Larry nor I will ever forget!
I would like to honor all four of these incredibly special friends, along with a few new Florida friendships created along the way (Ed, Brad, Bob & Mel) with a few special friendship quotes that hold the sentiment of how Larry and I feel. FRIENDS GIVE HOPE WHEN LIFE IS LOW
FRIENDS ARE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO
FRIENDS ARE PRECIOUS, HONEST AND TRUE
I FEEL SO LUCKY MY FRIEND IS YOU! TO MY BEST FRIENDS
BECAUSE OF YOU
I LAUGH A LITTLE HARDER
CRY A LITTLE LESS
SMILE A LITTLE MORE
I LOVE YOU! BEST FRIENDS ARE THE FAMILY WE CHOOSE WITH OUR HEART! THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF MY STORY! MUSIC…..Larry’s Passion Larry & I also loved slow dancing, anywhere and everywhere. One day I came home from work with a new cassette tape. I asked Larry to put it in the tape player so we could slow dance. Then I shocked him when I sang the entire song, whisper soft, into his ear while we danced to the entire song. Afterwards he kissed me, thanked me, and said he was so moved by my gesture because NO ONE had ever sung to him before. He was so thrilled with the song I chose because the lyrics were powerful and meaningful to us, it instantly became “OUR” song. Whenever times got tough or we butted up against new challenges in our life, which we had our share, as do most, we would say to each other NGSUN and sing the lyrics and somehow, they always gave us the strength together to get through whatever we were facing. Therefore, Larry and I would like to share these lyrics that explain how deep and committed our love for each other was.
Please click the link below OR copy the link and paste it into your internet browser. It should open YouTube directly to the song & lyrics. Close YouTube and return here afterwards to continue reading “Joan’s Tribute to Larry.” https://youtu.be/cxNHLZymgJk?t=2 To Larry, music was like ambrosia! He loved ALL types of music. Since he could both read sheet music and play by ear, he could play or enjoy listening to anything he wanted. Classical, Jazz, Motown, Blues, Rock n Roll, Country, Oldies, and anything in between. He’d even jump up and run to the keyboard when a TV show or Advertisement had a theme song he liked. He would listen for only a few seconds or more and then he’d be playing along with the TV. It was amazing to watch him in action and see how easy and natural it was for him, and best of all the smile it put on his face! It was beautiful! The first time I learned of Larry’s passion for music and all his natural talent was obviously in our first apartment. As I mentioned earlier, his dining room was wall to wall music, instruments, speakers, tape decks, you name it. He didn’t have a drum set, but only for lack of space, but he did have a drum machine. What hadn’t sunk in was that “all his natural talent” meant that Larry could play every single instrument he had, fluently. He handed me a cassette to listen to one day. It was a standard song everyone would have known. When the song was over, I told him I liked it, and it sounded great. He asked me if it sounded like the “real” band playing? I was confused and didn’t understand what he was asking, until he said, “It was all me.” I started feeling like I was really missing something important. He then pointed to a stack of dual cassette decks, 3 high. Explaining how he used them to create an “overlay” of each individual instrument over the others until the entire song was completed, leaving him with a song on the tape in which LARRY played EVERY single instrument in the song. Any “normal” person (like me) listening, wouldn’t have any idea that the song was all Larry and not whoever the original band was. Talk about all that natural talent and passion for music and wanting to share his enthusiasm! WOW! It boggled my mind! Larry was an extremely talented musician and could have taken his life in various and different directions, had he not chosen to start college in the pre-seminary program. Then after college he was drafted for the Vietnam War. PLAYING IN BANDS…..Larry’s Enjoyment Larry played in many different bands throughout his life, mostly for the pure enjoyment it gave him as well as others. Since we proved early in our relationship that I obviously couldn’t carry a tune or play an instrument, I was delegated to be his roadie, except when it came to his bass amp, that thing was major heavy. Good thing I used to lift free weights at the gym and had a few muscles  before I met Larry. It was typical for Larry to play bass guitar and keyboard, whenever playing in a band, so there was always a lot of equipment to haul around! One particularly funny “band” memory that also showed off Larry’s musical talent and his sense of humor that was always there, was when he agreed to play in a Country band with two much too serious musicians. One played lead guitar & vocals and the other played fiddle and backup guitar. The problem was they needed a rhythm section. They didn’t know Larry all that well, other than his musical talent, but they asked him if he would play with them (bass and keyboard) and did he know of a drummer that would be interested in joining them. Since Larry loved to play music for the sheer joy of playing and the joy it gave him to see the smiles on the audience’s faces, he agreed to join the band and brought his “drummer friend” Paul to join them. So, the result was a Country band with a Rock N Roll rhythm section. Those poor Country guys didn’t know what they were in for. It was hilarious! Larry and Paul were strictly in it for the sheer fun they had playing music together and they both had a similar sense of humor, so can you guess where I’m headed with this story? Two serious Country musicians, and well, you know Larry, he had very few serious bones in his body! Getting back to the fun band memory…..Since Larry had to switch back and forth between playing bass and keyboard he wore a wireless amp attached to his belt with a long cord, allowing him to move around. This worked perfectly for Larry because he could not stand in one place for long while playing his bass. So, when the band started playing a slow song, Larry, knowing how much I liked to slow dance, came over to where I was sitting, unhooked the shoulder strap on his bass and ask me stand up. He then put his bass guitar against my back and re-hooked his shoulder strap, and we started to slow dance while he continued to play his bass. Through all his maneuvering and then us dancing to the entire song, Larry NEVER MISSED A SINGLE BEAT, but he kept getting dirty looks from the two “serious guys”. Larry and Paul just laughed at them as we continued dancing and Larry continued playing his bass. When the song was over Larry & I received applause from everyone in the bar, which just made the other guys madder. They actually “called for a little huddle” to remind Larry and Paul, “They were supposed to be professionals” and “Larry you can’t do things like you just did, it’s not professional”, “and while we’re at it, you both need to stop playing rock n roll song segments every time the band takes a break.” WELL, KNOWING LARRY, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED NEXT? If you guessed correctly…. Larry & Paul looked at each other, tried their hardest not to burst out laughing and failing miserably. When Larry could finally keep a straight face, he said “look, Paul and I are here because you needed us, remember, we’re just here to play music and have a little FUN, that’s all. And “what part of playing on a Friday and Saturday night, in a dive bar, for $50 a gig, do you consider professional?” “We’ve played on stages, in dive bars, behind chicken wire and had more fun than playing with you two”. GO LARRY! So yes, Larry was an extremely talented musician, but he played for his love of music and making other people happy. Music was not only Larry’s passion, but it was also his “happy place”, his “Go To” place to forget bad days or rejoice in happy times. He played music for the sheer excitement of it and to calm & center himself when needed. LARRY ESPECIALLY LOVED the BEATLES If you would indulge me one last time, for just a few minutes more, I would like to share Larry’s all-time favorite Beatles song. Even if you recognize the song, it is the lyrics that are important, and that Larry and I believed in. So, I, along with Larry watching over us from above giving his approval, would love to share these lyrics with you now. Please click the link below OR copy the link and paste it into your internet browser. It should take you to YouTube and directly to the song & lyrics. Close YouTube and return here afterwards for the completion of “Joan’s Tribute to Larry.”
https://youtu.be/kyA4YLbAWio The beach, the sand, water squishing through our toes, and Champagne on the beach was even better! Sunsets and Full Moons were our special thing. We were married at Sunset with a Full Moon rising on a deck overlooking Tampa Bay. Larry is now our Guardian Angel. I know he will always be there to watch over Freyja and I, beside him our “beloved pack’” ODIN, BRISCO, AARLI, THOR & RIKA who have already crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. They will all be with Larry watching over Freyja and I until it is our time to join them and “Our entire pack will be together forever!” I will miss Larry more than anyone can ever imagine. We immediately clicked from the first time we met. From the very beginning, Larry unselfishly gave me all of himself, holding back nothing, giving me everything I ever wanted in a relationship. Then he went beyond by giving me so much more that I didn’t even know I needed, or know I was even missing in my life. We were 200% partners from day one. Of ALL the things Larry thought me over our lifetime together, THE MOST IMPORTANT WAS HOW TO LAUGH AGAIN, which was something I didn’t know I was really missing so much in my life, and HOW DEEPLY YOU CAN LOVE SOMEONE AND STILL HAVE MORE ROOM IN YOUR HEART AND MORE OF YOURSELF TO SHARE! I could go on and on about all the laughter and fun we had and all the things we taught each other to love, but there are just too many to count. Larry was my best friend, my husband, my partner, my lover, and my soulmate! The best thing I ever did in my life was to give my heart and soul to Larry! It will always be his to keep & hold dear and close to his heart! Be at peace my Love! You are my one and only, I love you MMB! WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN! As you so eloquently wrote to me from your heart long ago in our beginning, I now give your words back to you from my heart and soul. YOU MAKE ME SMILE,
YOU MAKE ME LAUGH,
YOU HAVE MADE ME WHOLE! I LOVE YOU!

Samantha M. Daly
12/15/94 - 2/12/24

We were all blessed to have spent 29 years with Samantha here on earth. She had many accomplishments in her short life. Samantha had her Masters in Biology with a specialization in Genetics, Cellular and Developmental Biology. She was published in journals, articles, and contributed to the wonderful world of science. Her final contribution being her body to the scientific community in hopes of helping others and furthering research and education.

We love you and miss you so much Sammy. Forever in our hearts.

Friends and Family:

Michael Daly -Father
Julie Daly -Mother
Robyn Daly -Sister
Simba (The Boy) -her doggy.

Patricia Susan Harvey

4/13/1944 - 11/29/23

Mom, l'm so grateful for the way I was raised by You.

You were never afraid to be My Mom / Father & Best Friend — to put your foot down, to teach me right from wrong, to make sure I did my best. You always let me know I had a Mom who Always cared about me, who believes in me, who is there for me no matter what.

My Mom Had a Clear Sense of
Right & Wrong

She Believed
Evil Shall Never Win Over Good

Not a day goes by that you are not missed by me & that Not a day goes by that I do not cry because I miss you so very much....

"There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and deeply inexpressible
-a wound that will never quite heal."
“Mothers hold their children's hands for a while, but their hearts forever." "You were my home, Mother. I had no home but you."

My Mom Pat Is The Best Mom I Could Of Ever Have With Standing By Me , Supporting Me With Words Of Encouragement & Wisdom each & every day of My Life thru Bad Times & Good

My Mom Had the Best sense of humor being sarcastic & funny with a contagious laugh

She Loved Comedic Movies as well as She Was a very private person as well

A fond Memory of Mine of My Mom was when she would have a conversation with me she would have her NY accent show thru and I make her laugh saying in a NY accent

Hey lady where you from?
She would always laugh
I Loved Making My Mom Laugh

She was 5’3” tall a very petite woman though small in stature she was a hell fire with opinions / thoughts & Love for Me

She Means the World to Me
She Always Knew I Loved Her & Standing By Her Ea. Day

I would end every conversation when I called her with " I Love You Mom "

The Last Year 2023 was very tough on us both as she was in & outta hospitals / doctors appointments & treatments all year long

I was there with her every step of the way Along the journey she & I had side by side Holding My Moms Hand. I would give everything to change what happened but never change me being able to be there for her any single day growing closer to her so she knew I was always there for her no matter what I Love Her.

Mom Your Impact on My Life will never be forgotten & summed up by words are never sufficient to express your Life / Love & Caring intellect to learn new things about everything.

My Mom Loved Animals large & small. She would often say Earth. Is there World as well as ours & We deserve to protect our Home for ourselves as well as all creatures here.

She was A Fighter Very Strong Willed Very Opinionated Very Sarcastic & Special to everyone she met

She Fought Each & Every Day especially last Year to be here & to do whatever it took to be well & alive thru all the challenges doctors found & to be treated by them & heal.

She Fought Every Day Till The End
Last Thing My Mom Said To Me In The ER was while Squeezing My Hand

" I Am So Glad Your Here With Me "

I Love You Mom
I Always Have & Always Will
Grief never ends... But it changes.

It's a passage, not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith... It is the price of love.

Steven Haggerty

07/01/1953 - 06/18/2023

As heartbreaking as it was to lose my dear brother Steve, I am grateful for the time we had together. He was a long time cancer survivor. At the time he was diagnosed with lung cancer, the 5 year survival rate was extremely low, yet he lived for 20 plus years after that diagnoses, and the removal of the affected lung. So I consider those 20 years to be a gift. We were raised in Maryland, and I moved to AZ over 40 years ago. After my father's passing, I persuaded my brother to move to AZ, so I could keep a watchful eye on him, and take him to his doctor appointments and introduce him into our social circle where he was very much accepted into and beloved. (he didn't drive, so he was very dependent on us). He was a very likeable, funny, friendly, generous and giving person, even when he had so little to give. He was a regular donor to St Mary's Food Bank, donated his long hair to Locks of Love, he tried to donate blood, but it wasn't accepted due to his prior cancer, and now, as his final gift, his body has been donated. As children, we experienced typical sibling rivalry. I wanted to tag along with my cool big brother and his friends, and he wasn't having it, and he always found creative ways to "ditch" his dorky kid sister (me). As we matured, we became great friends, and enjoyed hanging out with each other. After his last hospitization, I started doing well checks on him twice daily. I called him on June 17th, he sounded a bit out of breath, but he told me he was feeling much better mentally. On June 18th, I checked on him for the last time. I was heartbroken to find his lifeless body, but take comfort that he died peacefully in his reclining chair watching TV. My big brother slipped away from us in between well checks. He ditched me for the very last time ! Not as an act of sibling rivalry, but as an act of love. Well played Steve! RIP brother, I love you, and will miss you.

Family and Friends:

Nancy and Dan Osborn, Patricia Haggerty, Joy Haggerty Campbell, Julie Haggerty Gravitt, John Haggerty, Joseph Haggerty and numerous friends

Richard Williams was a very proud Marine and a wonderful husband and father. He flew helicopters and love that. He was aa very hard working. Everything he did was for us, his wife and children. It is hard for me to write. I don't have that gift. Best friend - Robert Arnold, Family- wife Linda Williams, Children -Rick Williams-Jennifer Williams Cundiff-Melinda Williams, Brothers-Jay,Jim,Marion, Sisters- Margaret and Betty, Parents Marion and Lefa

Kathleen Winter lived a long and exciting 93 years. She loved to travel and visited many places all around the world. She loved going to restaurants and enjoying great food and drink. A fiercely loyal friend, she was always trying to find a way to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed taking her family on vacations in Florida, and sometimes on wild rafting and canoeing Adventures. She enjoyed her independence but loved time spent with family and friends. Truly unselfish to the end, she chose to donate her body to science in hopes that advances could be made related to osteoporosis, longevity, and Joint replacements. She described her life as "a life well lived, well loved, and well traveled". We celebrate the long life of our Aunt Kathleen!

Survived by her family:
Dayna Scarbrough, Gina & Jarratt Gibson, Gary Scarbrough, John Matula, Jennifer, Josh, Alex, Andy and Bobby Schultz, Amy, Adam, Laura and Ben Burke, Kenzie, Kendall, Brooklynne and Corbin Staley,
Bryce Heller and Aleah.
Proceeded in death by:
The love of her life Chuck Pollizi, her parents Evea and OB Winter, siblings Edward Winter and Dallas (Jean) Lease, niece Linda (Gene) Scarbrough, nephew Randy Scarbrough, and many dear friends.

April 28, 1954 - October 18, 2023

On 10.18.23, Barbara Elliott (Baker) passed away peacefully at age 69. Barbara gained her wings and rejoined her long-time loves Michael McQuillan, Tim Young & Sugar (her beloved dog). She was born in Oak Harbor, Washington to Lynnette Beck and Robert Baker. She left home at the age of 16 and moved to Atlanta, Ga. She then moved to Bradenton, Fl. a few years later where she remained until her passing.

She was a Fine Artist, Community Activist and Corruption Fighter. Barb Studied Fine Art, Film and Criminal Justice at MCC in her 40's. She was an honor roll student. Her signature name for her artwork was "Brockob*tch".

Barbara was the President of Stone Soup Mantee Inc. She had filed over 90 litany of ethics complaints over the last 25 years. Once Barbara was able to recoup over $200,000 in funds that were miss used by the City. Barb was not one to be played with. She was a true firecracker! One of her biggest goals was to protect the relocation of Glazier-Gates Park. Barb has been featured in many news outlets over the years. For many years Barb had a cleaning business called "White Glove Cleaning". She was also a server and a cab driver part time after her retirement.

Barbara's artwork has been recognized many times by Manatee County. Her work can still be seen at Palma Sola Causeway Park 9917 Manatee Ave W. 35209. Murals she painted are also located in serval businesses at St. Armand's Cir in Sarasota.

Barbara loved to cook and showed her love through food. She could bake anything without ever looking at a recipe. Her dream was to start her own line of healthy fudge. If you've ever tried it, you would know why! Her daughter Heidi has the recipe, but she won't be giving it up! She loved gardening, Harleys, and anything with crafts. If you ever visited her home, you would see her artwork on almost any piece of furniture and walls. She even created murals on her shower curtains.

Barbara's celebration of life will be a private ceremony. You may contact her daughter Heidi Elliott direct for details. Her ashes, along her love Tim Young and her dog Sugar. Will be placed together at the cemetery with her late Husband Michael McQuillan.

Barbara is survived by her children Heidi, Annette & Nathan, her Brothers Robert, and Jeff Baker. And Grand Children Natalia Troupe and Jordan Barbara Elliott. She is also survived by her precious 3 cats Rocky, BeeBee, & Mahoney. Her cats were her everything. Her babies were able to remain together in her home with her wonderful roommate and friend Sabby.

Some people only walk this earth for a short time. Their departure reminds us that angels are watching over us. The day before Barbara passing, she said "Only the Good die Young." "So, I will be around for a long time." Well mom its true you were one of the good ones. You will be missed deeply, and life will never be the same without you.

ever tried it, you would know why! Her daughter Heidi has the recipe, but she won't be giving it up! She loved gardening, Harleys, and anything with crafts. If you ever visited her home, you would see her artwork on almost any piece of furniture and walls. She even created murals on her shower curtains.

Barbara's celebration of life will be a private ceremony. You may contact her daughter Heidi Elliott direct for details. Her ashes, along her love Tim Young and her dog Sugar. Will be placed together at the cemetery with her late Husband Michael McQuillan.

Barbara is survived by her children Heidi, Annette & Nathan, her Brothers Robert, and Jeff Baker. And Grand Children Natalia Troupe and Jordan Barbara Elliott. She is also survived by her precious 3 cats Rocky, BeeBee, & Mahoney. Her cats were her everything. Her babies were able to remain together in her home with her wonderful roommate and friend Sabby.

Some people only walk this earth for a short time. Their departure reminds us that angels are watching over us. The day before Barbara passing, she said "Only the Good die Young." "So, I will be around for a long time." Well mom its true you were one of the good ones. You will be missed deeply, and life will never be the same without you.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to the Humane Society of Manatee County

Marilou Lyman

09/01/1935 - 06/17/2022

Marilou Lyman, my mom, mums, mamacita, Gam, Grammy, Marilou. Its been 9 long months and we miss her every day. Her light, spirit, humor, love, kindness, and devotion to her family remain and show up in many ways but oh do we miss her. In her honor I wanted to share a poem I found that she wrote as I was going through her papers.

Consider the miracle of
how countless "firsts" must be.
Every entity has a first,
From the forest to the sea.

As with all things intertwined,
I've had my own share of.
First step, first word and song,
my first and only true love.

So it was the cast of first time
First born as a part of me.
The wonder of it all -
my being enriched by thee.

Therefore it must not be fool hardy
to accept dark angel ending all things.
"Firsts" repeat again and again -
Infinity ripples with endless rings.

So as now you travel life's path
without earthbound sight of me.
First visit with me when troubled -
I will always be with thee.

- M- 2012

 

Family and Friends:

Lisa Smith, Natalie Baker, Jessica Eliason-High, Michael High, Cameron Smith and Finn High

Rebecca Marie Morgan-Dymock

03/01/1953 - 08/07/2022

Loving wife.
Beautiful human being.

Jay Neugent

03/25/1959 - 04/02/2023

Jay, 64, passed away Saturday, April 2nd 2023. He fought kidney failure for many years. He was always laughing and making jokes. He always put everyone before himself, and gave his last dollar to someone in need. We have found comfort in knowing he is now with the Lord as he was a devoted christian. Definitely one of a kind, he will be deeply missed.

Family and Friends:
Kim Starr- Sister
Todd Neugent- Brother
Michael Neugent- Brother
Fred Nugent- Father
Janice Souder Neugent- Mother

Mark Alan Smith

12/14/1962 - 02/23/2023

On February 23, 2023, at the age of 60, Mark was lost unexpectedly to a seizure. He leaves behind his 2 daughters, 3 grandkids, 3 Siblings, a bunch of nieces/nephews, friends, and his "adopted" children and grandchildren.

Everyone who had the pleasure to know him, loved him. He was friendly, helpful, accepting, and welcoming. He was also free-spirited and stood up for what he felt was right.

He was an animal lover who definitely "didn't want more animals". We would jokingly tell him he was a Disney princess.

Family and Friends:

Daughters: Meagan and Danielle
Grandchildren: Luka, Harper, and Judi
Siblings: Danny, Dana, and Robin
Tons of neices/nephews, friends, and "adopted" kids and grandkids.

Pamela Jean Foltz

09/07/1956 - 03/09/2023

You saw beauty in everything in life; you were a very simple-minded human being, But you endured more hardships in life than you should have but you made it. You taught me how to love hard and to live life honorably and to the fullest. I promise to keep your legacy alive.

Family and Friends:

Survived by 5 sisters Judy, Lorrie, Cindy, Melissa and Cheryl
Survived by son and daughter in law Barry and Alexis Hall and son Steven Scott Hall
Survived by 6 grandchildren Danielle Lee Hall, Dylan Scott Hall, Tristan Rockefeller, Dylan Henry, Alicia Hall, Leland Hall
Survived by her campion Larry Brown

Cathleen "Cathie" Weir 5/18/1950 - 12/21/2022 Cathie, 72, passed away Wednesday, December 21st 2022. After two unexpected surgeries, her fragile lungs and kidneys could not take the stress. Cathie was a double-lung transplant recipient, just shy of 15 years ago. Cathie's first love was the theatre, especially the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. She was a writer and published a book, "I'll See You Later" which is about her experience with her transplant. Cathie is survived by her husband, Richard Weir. Her daughter, Susan Weir and granddaughter, Hannah Rafferty. Sister, Rosemary Burke. She donated her body to the United Tissue Network.

Ervin Puckett 10/18/1964 - 11/16/2022 Erv was a father of 3 boys and 2 granddaughters. Married for 37 years, he will be greatly missed. He fought lung and pancreatic cancer for 5 years. He found the lord and was baptized in 2020 so I know he is in heaven. Family and Friends: Jesse puckett Adam Puckett Mathew Puckett Julie Puckett Rylie Puckett Avery Puckett

John Sizemore

10/28/1969 - 09/27/2022

John was a wonderful man, Father , Brother, Son and Husband.
He was always laughing and making jokes.
He always put everyone before himself. Gave his last dollar to someone in need.
Definitely one of a kind.

Family and Friends:

Melissa Sizemore-Wife
Jeff Moyer-Son
Joshua Sizemore- Son
Maygan Sizemore- Daughter
Leslee Sizemore-Twin Sister
Terri Rule-Sister
Kelly Mason-Sister
William Sizemore-Father
Stephanie Sizemore- Mother

Joseph Riddle

12/31/1951 - 08/30/2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my mothers husband, Joe Riddle. My mom and Joe had many years of fun and were able to do a little traveling in their RV with their dog Buddy before his health started to decline. He was a good husband, father/stepfather, a wonderful granddad and a spectacular 'Dog Dad' to Buddy. Joe passed away today, August 30th, peacefully at home today where he was surrounded by family and friends.

He will be truly missed.

Family and Friends:

Wife: Linda McLargin

Children: Nick and Amanda

Sisters Mary and Nancy, Brother John

Dora Sommer

04/18/38 - 08/26/2022 

Go to sleep, dear Dora.
Go to sleep, you'll get some milk.

Mommy is above, she makes cake.
Papa is below, he makes chocolate.

Your sister is above, she makes hats.
Your brother is below, he makes Nougat.

Your cousin makes big pieces of candy.
Your other cousin makes compote.

Go to sleep, dear Dora.
Go to sleep, you'll get some milk.

Friends and Family: 

Melissa Matthews (daughter)
Warren Woodson (son)

Wesley H Owens Sr. 09/19/1934-07/07/2022

He was a Navy seaman on the USS Everglades Naval ship. He married a woman named Beverly Strayer shortly after returning home. They had 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. He divorced his 1st wife and ended up marrying Dorothy I. McCafferty Sullivan who had lost her previous Navy husband John Weems Sullivan in an accident. She is my Mother and I have a half- sister Wilma Sullivan Bowland! John Sullivan adopted me!
Wesley worked at National Can as a Millwright and General Motors of Lordstown, Ohio for many years to support his blended family! He is preceeded in Death by his Father Paul E. Owens, Mother Laura, Sister Barbara, Son Timothy, Daughter Lorie Owens Economos, Wesley H. OwensJr! He leaves behind- 2 Sisters- Pauline Owens Trapp, Gloria Owens Murray, 4 Neices and 1 Nephews, Wife Dorothy, Step Daughter Cheryl Sullivan Davis SO Terry Davis, Step Daughter Wilma Sullivan Bowland SO Randy Bowland. 6 Grandchildren, 14 Great grandchildren.

Wesley LOVED fishing, camping, grilling outdoors, traveling, his earlier years he liked to drink! He was a Social person, life of the Party so to speak!

His last few years were Rough to say the least! Fighting prostate cancer, diabetes, heart problems-quadruple bypass and pig valve surgery, had to get a colostomy bag, broke left arm last year, legs and feet swelled from edema! Your NOLONGER IN PAIN Dad! REST IN HEAVEN! We MISS YOU!

Don was the best husband ever. We were only married for 13 years but we had a great time together. We went on many cruises, many trips to Biloxi to gamble which Don loved to do. I miss him so much.I have no family here in Florida.God took him to soon, but now he is not suffering,he had lung cancer for 4 years,it took a lot out of him. Rest in peace my love.I will never forget you and will always love you.

 

Friends and Family: Karen Pickens, Donald Taylor Jr.,Barbara Hosbach, Christina Wright, Susan Rufolo, Paul Marino, Christina Suazo. Don's children and step children.

 

Patricia Way Goodwin
1955-2022

Patricia Diane, Pat, spent her childhood in rural Upstate New York as next to the youngest in a large family of five boys and five girls. Parents, Donald I. Way, an employee of the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester and Alma Chase Way, a homemaker, married young and worked hard as providers. Unfortunately, the father died at age forty-four leaving Alma to raise the seven younger children.
A Christian neighbor gave mother, Alma, a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, an inspirational book written by esteemed minister Dr. Norman Vincent Peale which encouraged her to lean on her faith and to persevere.
Pat watched her mother work hard outside the home to provide for the family and learned that finishing high school, where she excelled, was the way to prosper. Armed with her diploma, earned while living in Wichita, Kansas near a sister's family, she had an interesting life moving near siblings in various states finding job opportunities in clerical work. Many occasions and various excursions were enjoyed while she lived near extended family for several years each in the states of Texas, Colorado, California, Virginia and finally Florida.
Always meticulous and professional in her work, Pat particularly enjoyed her last job working in the Dispatch Department for Cox Cable in Virginia while living near another sister. Sadly, she was injured near work as a pedestrian by a moving vehicle. This incident became a life-changing event contributing to a down-spiral of her general health making it difficult to work. A compassionate brother and wife relocated her near them in Port Richey, Florida, where she spent her final years.
In her prime, Pat was a statuesque, attractive gal with many suitors. She was pre-deceased by her ex-husband, Jeffrey Goodwin. During their marriage, the two enjoyed hiking, swimming and many good times near her family in Southern California.
Pat enjoyed making her apartment into a comfortable, homey refuge with a classy touch. She loved celebrating the holidays, especially Christmas, where she wrapped gifts with creative, special touches. She looked forward to baking Christmas cookies and cooking for special occasions. Family was her anchor along with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her, "Sweet Jesus," with whom she now resides in her final, joyful destination where there are no more worries, pain or sorrow.
Always having high aspirations, Pat, in a noble gesture, donated her whole body to the United Tissue Network in St. Petersburg, FL for medical research with the United Kidney Foundation's branch in Phoenix, AZ at the University of Phoenix School of Medicine. Her cremated remains will be scattered in a dignified way over the Gulf of Mexico.
Patricia will be remembered in a special mass for "Repose of the Soul" at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos, CA.
Pat, with her irreplaceable wit, was loved and will be missed. Rest in peace, dear sister.

 

Our beautiful Loving Mother Emma Retta (nee: Clark) Fox, 85, passed away May 4, 2022 at home where she lived with her son John. He was her sole caregiver for the last 9 years in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born in Bellaire, Ohio on April 13, 1937 by her parents John and Lena Denza Clark.
Emma worked as a Caregiver for many years. She loved spending time with her family, loved baking and cooking, loved the color red and loved Minnie mouse. She was always a very happy person. A joy to be around.
Emma will always be remembered as a kind-hearted soul, loving and caring person, just overall wonderful human being.

She is survived by her sons: John Thomas Fox Jr of Phoenix, Arizona, Mark Fox Sr(Sheila) of Lorain, Ohio, and Robert Fox(Amy) of Lorain, Ohio and her Brother Louis H. Clark( Winifred) and their daughter
Luana Lynn Clark.
Her grandchildren: Beth Ann "nee: Fox" Arnold(Joseph) , John Edward Fox(in Loving Memory) , Jason Fox, Christopher Fox, Mark Fox Jr(Amanda) , Michael Fox(Heather) , Lisa "nee: Fox" Ferris(Chris), Stephanie Fox(Jack) , Robert Andrew Fox(Terri) , Tiffany Fox, Jessica "nee: Fox" Stroud(Lavon), Kenneth Fox Jr (Hunter).
And her Great-Grandchildren: Sabastion(Arnold) , Victoria(Fox) , Logan(Fox), Andrew(Fox) , Kaylana(Fox) , Jack(Critelli) , Noah(Critelli), Kenneth(Ferris) , Kelsey(Fox) , Kinsley(Fox) , Corey Jr(Garner), Jaden(Garner), Delanie(Fox) , Spencer(Fox) , Terrell(Stroud), Jamie(Stroud), Mya(Stroud)

And she is proceeded in death by her parents John and Lena Denza Clark and her late sons Andrew Fox and Kenneth Fox Sr.

My beloved and only sister, Linda, passed away after a brief but tremendous battle following an intracranial hemorrhage. I and my children, and her friends, will deeply miss this loving human being so much. Below is her obituary.

***********
Linda Dale Russo, 67, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away surrounded by family and friends at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson on September 7, 2021.

Daughter of John and Dale Russo, Linda was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 3, 1953. She grew up surrounded by large and loving extended Russo and Akins families in Cincinnati and Texas. Following graduation in 1973 from Colerain High School, Linda worked as an Executive Assistant for Winegardner & Hammons, Inc., a hotel management company in Cincinnati, before moving in 1977 to Denver, Colorado with lifetime close friend Dora Cartwright. In Denver, Linda worked for the Colorado School of Mines and the Homelite corporation.

Linda moved in 1983 to Tucson, Arizona. She worked many years in commercial construction project management, and then for several different companies in customer service, including Walmart and Convergys. She finished her career working in sales for a national spirits and wine distributor, where she loved calling on and talking with her customers.

Linda adored her friends and family, especially her nieces and nephews. She had an enormous and loyal heart, and was always caring for and comforting her friends, family, and those in need. She was great at both keeping and getting back in touch with people over the years – somehow just when they needed an ear or shoulder to lean on. Linda had a keen memory for small details, especially of those she met and loved, and she rarely let a birthday pass without sending a card and loving wishes. She enjoyed traveling, her Italian ancestry, and animals (especially her cats). Linda will be greatly missed for her contagious giggle, her non-stop chatting, the whacky socks she often sent as gifts, and most importantly, her unconditional love.

Linda is survived by her sister, Becky Russo, and brother-in-law, Jeff Bell; nephew, Nicolas Bell, and his wife, Ann; niece, McClain Herman, and her husband, Tommy; nephew, Evan Bell, and his wife, Josalyn; niece, Olivia; great-nieces, Mary Jo Bell, Grier Bell, and James Herman; beloved cat, Josie; and many other extended family members and dear friends.

Linda’s family and friends will be celebrating Linda’s life in Cincinnati on October 23. Reach out to the family for details. To honor Linda’s memory, her family suggests that you consider donating to The Humane Society or to the SPCA in your community.

Libby Westphal was full of life.

She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a fun party-planning friend.
She had a generous heart, giving to several charities including: humane society and the wounded warrior project.
In her work-life she chose jobs that inherently served others.
When her kids were young she volunteered in her kids activities.
As a proud member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary she volunteered many hours enabling hundreds of students to receive scholarships. She proudly displayed her patriotism in her hair-do and her décor.

Libby left the world a better place as a result of her being here.
Praise God that she is dancing with Jesus.

Rodney Lee Kolar was my husband and best friend. He is survived by his wife Rachel Lanza Kolar and sons Alexander, Matthew, David. Also, his is brothers Dean and Michael. He was kind and had a good sense of humor. He was intelligent and loved technology. He also studied the Bible and knew it well. He is dearly missed by all who loved him. He was Christian and loved the Lord but was not religious. I started to get to know him in 2006. We married on March 30, 2018. I'm so grateful and thankful to have had him in my life. So he was the love of my life. He's always with me as I carry him in my heart. I think of him every day and night. I'll be reunited with him one day and I know we will never have to part. The world was a better place with him in it. He will always be remembered fondly and deeply missed.

  

My sister my friend, she lived hard and loved even harder. You heard her before you saw her in the room she loved to shoot pool and hated to loose, She loved to party listen to good ol rock and roll and dance every dance alone or with somebody !! The first one there and the last to leave she would say just one more smoke and a shot and we will go .. She believed in God and got close to him before passing I know she was forgiven and is in heaven with her daddy and Manual, the love of her life. I miss her and know she is ok I won’t worry about her anymore until we meet again my friend enjoy !!

The Family of Andy Zagorsky, The family of Manual Gomez Sylvia, Dapper, Cloyd, Janet, Steve, Roxann, numerous friends in Bullhead and California as well as her adult Children And Bree and numerous nieces and nephews.

My beautiful daughter Tamara Lynn, touched the lives of everyone she met. Her heart had so much love and she never stopped doing for other people. You will NEVER be forgotten but always missed. 

I think about you daily honey and I miss you more than you can imagine. My heart <3 has a large piece of it missing but I will collect it from you when I see you in Heaven. 

You were always taking care of those who were in need and each and everyone of us miss you.

I love you so much Tamara. Tomorrow is one year and I am still unable to talk about it.

I know I will see you again my love.

~Mom

Mary Bryant

December 9, 1931 – June 12, 2021
“Your life is made of two dates and a dash. Make the most of the dash” unknown author
Dad has asked me to share stories of Mom’s life and some of her many accomplishments. He is so proud of how she lived her life and he told her, and us, often. She knew how much she was loved and respected but I am not sure she could ever really know just how many lives she changed for the better.
When Mom was only 7, her mother Elmona E. Browne, died just days after giving birth. Mom was now the eldest of 3, including an infant. She soon became the mother of the family.
Mom would do odd jobs to make money and then take the children out for the day. You could ride the train all day if you didn’t get off, so they went on many train rides. They went to double-feature movies and had penny candy. Mom swore them to secrecy because if their father found out, that would have been the end of the fun outings.
She left home at 14. She looked older than her age and found work quickly. She said she always knew that her Mom was watching over her and recalled seeing her Mom’s spirit in a field.
Mom worked in the kitchen at an all-boys camp on a lake in Maine. The boys from the city loved it when Mom would give them turns making cookies. Many of them had never cooked before. The chef said that Mom’s fried chicken was even better than his.
She worked in a hotel, carrying the linens up and down flights of stairs and cleaning.
Mom was a cashier at a grocery store in Connecticut. She used to draw the specials on the windows, with catchy phrases and pictures. She quickly became head cashier.
Mom would save up her money to bring presents to all her siblings at Christmas. Her father had remarried, and in the end, Mom was the eldest of 14 siblings.
Mom worked at Carlton Woolen Mill in Winthrop Maine as a spinner. That’s where she met Dad, Kenneth Bryant Sr. He was an inspector and had been admiring Mom from afar. He asked her out on a date. She accepted and made her amazing fried chicken, one of her many fabulous qualities that won him over. Two weeks later they were married in Dad’s family home in Readfield, and that began their 65 years together.
They went on to raise 8 children and raised a few of Mom’s siblings from the time they were 15.
Mom was an amazing cook. I’d love to know how many jars of food she canned and quart bags she froze. The cellar storage was filled with canned fruits and vegetables, most of which we grew on the farm. She made the best pie crust and biscuits. I loved cooking with her but never learned her finesse... it needs a dash of this, the bread must feel a certain way. I believe every child and grandchild had a chance to punch down the bread. She involved the children in what she was doing.
She was so happy as she became a grandmother and a great grandmother. She loved watching her family grow and seeing the joy that children brought. Mom had 14 grandchildren and 13 great grand children (including 4 on the way).
One year Mom made 1,000 wreaths, with the help of tiny hands, and sold them for $1 each. That was her Christmas money for the children. She always loved Christmas and because she never had a big Christmas, she wanted a huge Christmas for her children. She would start shopping the specials in January and keep chests of gifts upstairs. She was the best bargain hunter. She would always tell Dad how much money she “saved”.
She loved going to lawn sales and one day came home with 5 children’s bicycles. She loved collecting stuffed animals and dressing them in baby clothes. In later years, the spare bedroom was filled with 100+ dressed up stuffed animals. She was so proud that she donated them to the children’s ward of the hospital, so children would have something special when they were sick. The director sent her a thank you card that she stored in the family bible and read often.
She was talented at fixing up the house. Most rooms had beautiful vinyl wallpaper.
Mom catered for many years, again with the help of many hands (some not so tiny). She made and decorated spectacular wedding cakes. She would place wax paper on a metal “pedestal”, holding it down with a dob of frosting. Then she would start making a flower. One petal at a time. Then she’d gently set each one in the freezer to set, before adding it to the cake.
To Dad’s knowledge, Mom was the only person to get her GED in Maine in one night, with no formal preparation. She walked into the local high school and explained that she needed her GED. They started to give her the material to study and she explained that she needed it right then, so she could go the real estate school with Dad that night. This is a woman who left home at 14. Mom said she would read every book she could get her hands on, borrowing lots of library books. Mom also taught herself as she taught her children. The lady administering the GED test stayed late that night so Mom could finish and have it graded in time to go to real estate school.
When Mom was 40 she got her GED, real estate license, driver’s license and had her 8th and final child.
When Dad was Town Manager of Readfield, Mom developed the accounting system for the town (with no formal accounting experience).
Mom was active in the Kents Hill Methodist Church and sung in the choir. Mom always loved doing for others, especially those less fortunate. For several years Mom and Dad have sponsored a child through World Vision. Mom loved receiving the updates on his progress and was proud of the difference she made.
Mom had the most beautiful rose garden at their home in Readfield.
She was a self-taught artist, specializing in oil paintings on canvas. She loved painting nature scenes. She often had clouds in her paintings and always tried to hide something in the clouds like a dragon or cat’s face. She always loved finding things in the clouds and taught us to do this as children, laying out on the back lawn. She did take some art classes and the instructor soon asked her if she’d like to help teach the class; she had a real gift.
In her professional career I believe Mom was most proud of her work at Avon. Mom was a sales representative, back in the day when Avon was sold door to door in a set territory. She excelled in sales and become assistant manager followed by district sales manager. Mom wasn’t just good at sales, she was great with people. She motivated them by encouraging them and getting to know them personally. More than once she lent the start up money to women who needed a break. She invested in people, and they worked hard for her. She won Circle of Excellence 2 years in a row. She had to beat one amazing year with an even better year, and she did it. I’m certain Mom would have gone on to even greater accomplishments in Avon but unfortunately, she became sick and had to retire early. Mom was so proud of the trip she earned to Switzerland in 1986. She ate at the revolving restaurant where a James Bond 007 movie was filmed and rode on the Orient Express.
Mom and Dad’s travels included all of New England, Massachusetts, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, and Australia. There were many family camping trips in Baxter State Park and days at ocean, Reid State Park.
Mom loved Bingo and later the penny slot machines. She’s the only person I know who had almost as much fun anticipating the win as she did the win. “Oh, I’m in for 9. Let it shine with number 9”. She would get so excited playing the slot machines that at times she’d have a crowd watching her. Her excitement was contagious. You’d think she’d won the jackpot, but she was simply in bonus or winning a few dollars. She enjoyed the moment.
Mom loved animals and caring for animals. In addition to many cats and dogs over the years, she had Chippy the squirrel, Lucy the goat and Clarence the duck. She loved telling stories about these animals and elaborating just a little to make it even more fun. Mom loved butterflies and wolves.
Mom reconnected with her Aunt Mary (her mother’s sister) after many years. Aunt Mary lived in Windsor, Nova Scotia and she and Mom were instantly close. We had many family trips to see her.
There is so much more to tell about Mom’s life. It would be wonderful for others to share a special memory or story; either a new one or expand on something mentioned. I’ve written very little about each event and mentioned almost no one in particular because I don’t want to leave people out and I want to hear the stories as you remember them. Thank you.

Tina was a wonderful woman, loved and missed both by family and friends, but also in the community we lived in. She was a wonderful wife, excellent mother, and no one could've asked had a better friend. 

Conor Stokes, son

Jennifer Chambers, daughter

Joshua Chambers, son-in-law

Brandon Keoppel, son

Susan ward, mother

Arthur Stokes, father-in-law

Kenneth Keoppel ex, close friend

Lisa and Charley Ritzenthaler, sister and borther-in-law

To my loving husband Darrin James Wolf. I miss you so very much. I pray you're at peach. I'm not ok but in time I will be. I lost my husband, my best friend, my everything. You were an awesome father and grandfather. I will forever miss and love you. 

~Vicky Wolf

 

Friends and Family: 

Mary Lou Ruiz-mother, Ted wolf- father, brothers Freg and Rodney. His kids Cody, Brandi, Travis. Grandchildren, Caelyn, Haylee and Nikki also Kaydence, Kayden and Ary. Of course his grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousin, nieces and nephews. All my family Mom & Dad, sister and brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews. His co-workers and many more. 

Victor M Langroño was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico where after graduating high school he migrated to New York City for a better life. There he entered the Merchant Marines where he dedicated 20 years of outstanding service, traveling the world and making friends across the globe. After retiring he moved his family back to Puerto Rico where he opened the first catering business on the island. He employed folks from the small town of Barrio Mazán where he is honored to this day.

Victor was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was dedicated to his family and their well-being his entire adult life.

We remember him as a hard working man with a sense of humor that lightened the heaviest of loads!

Father rescued many dogs, cats, birds and other wildlife from a doomed life.

Father was generous-welcoming family and friends into his heart and home.

All of us-thank him for being a part of our lives, for show us what truly counts in life is love. 

~Debra Longroño

Friends and Family:

Ecko Longroño, Noah Torres, Dieter Orriola, Julian & Ithaca Orriola-Dobkin, Danika Harkness-Douglas, KJ Douglas

I am so glad Sharon and I had made plans for our eventual passing. Among those plans we had decided to donate our bodies to UTN so their could be some medical benefit prior to cremation . Prior to that we had proclaimed for several years that we each wanted cremation rather than a traditional funeral casket, burial, etc.). Once we heard about UTN we were convinced that this was the way to go.

Sadly, Sharon passed away April 10th of 2021. In those moments after learning of her passing doubt set in. Did I really want to make this whole body donation? I decided that the right thing to do was follow the plans that we had both agreed upon when she was alive.

I am happy to report that UTN followed through as promised. They were kind, courteous, efficient and respectful of my wife of thirty-five years. Losing someone that you've been together with for that long really hurts but UTN made that portion of handling death easy.

For anyone considering UTN as a reasonable alternative I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Sincerely,

Merlin Studt

Gene Thomas, better known as Lamar, (or Honey Bunny to me) was born on September 11, 1935 in Orange, Texas and died in Florida March 22, 2021 at 3:37 PM. He received his college degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, so he teasingly told folks they named the university after him. Lamar enjoyed computers and radar systems. He was also an avid pilot who loved flying his Beechcraft Bonanza and helping folks out using Amateur Radio (W5-VEG) from the age of 16. Just prior to his retirement in 1993, he married me on his birthday of September 11, in a hot air balloon. Shortly after, we built their home in Sarasota, Florida, traveled extensively, laughed often, and enjoyed life to the fullest. His favorite morning greeting was, "What are we doing for fun today?" Being an altruistic and generous person his entire life, he donated his organs and body to science. Following his example, I will do the same and our ashes will then be commingled after death so we can spend a joyous eternity together. 

~Marie Thomas

Friends and Family John Terry & Margaret Thomas Debra & David Hamilton Sean & Carol Mirek Marge Mirek Steve O'Donnell Betty Sue Hun

Momma never met a stranger and always wanted to contribute to make things better for someone else. She was excited to learn even with her cancer she could contribute and help someone after her passing!! Thank you for making that happen!!

~Michele Miller-Hayes

Our dad received a lung transplant that for about 12yrs. gave him a new life. My mom called it his 2nd birthday. But the last 7yrs. bought him many medical challenges including: eye cancer twice, cardiac surgery twice, and kidney cancer. He was also on dialysis. My dad fought hard for the last few years of his life, he kept fighting after the discouraging diagnoses kept coming. I don't think he had as much fight after we lost my mom. We love and miss him everyday. We know that alive, he accepted many drugs and treatments still in the research phase, so we know he would have agreed to your study to continue to contribute to medicine in any way he could. Thank you. ~Judy Motte

My son was with us for 34 years and he had alot of medical problems. He was diagnosed with Epilepsy at a young age and fought with that his whole life. Than from epilepsy in July of 2017 he was diagnosed with another medical problem. He always told his dad and I that he wanted to donate his body to others so that he could help them and also they could figure out epilepsy and hopefully get a cure for it. I was there when he took his first breath and was there when he took his last breath. I love you my sweet son and miss you . Love, your mom.

We were married for 33 years, a second marriage for us both. Most people speak well of the dead, which cause the cynics among us to wonder. I might become a believer yet, for my J was a beautiful human being in every way. He had a brilliant mind, a beautiful body and a kindly spirit. I am told that the ache in my heart will lessen with time. If anything, I miss him more with each passing day. Sybil Levien

Monty Lynn Lindsey, 71, of Edmond, OK fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Monty lost the battle with melanoma cancer on October 17, 2020 and received the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. His wife and daughter were by his side.
Monty was born to Vernon and Vera Lindsey in Rush Springs, Oklahoma. Monty grew up in Rush Springs and graduated with the class of 1967.
After graduation Monty attended Cameron University for two years. In 1969 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 4 years on the USS Forrestal. After the Navy he worked for the U. S. Postal Service starting in 1973 and retired in 2010. Monty always had a love for fitness. He was an avid long distance runner. He enjoyed logging training miles with friends and ran many local half and full marathons, as well as out of state ultra-marathons.
He married Sherry Keisler in Anadarko, Oklahoma on December 12, 1985. They made their home in Anadarko and raised their children. In 2012 they moved to Oklahoma City to be near their grandchildren and later moved to Edmond, Oklahoma.
Monty is survived by his wife, Sherry, of the home; his sons Justus Blake Lindsey of the home and Gregory Curtis Lindsey and wife, Tasha, of Tulsa; his step-daughter Paige Newcomb and husband Cory and their son, Casen and daughter Sullivan of Chandler, OK; his brother-in-law Lowell Dennis of Rush Springs, his sister-in-law Gayle Lindsey of Norman and brother-in-law Jim Beshers of Edmond; sister-in-law Candy Setters and her husband Robert of Anadarko, OK and sister-in-law Carol Perkins of Chugiak, Alaska, and many loving family members and friends.
Monty was preceded in death by his parents, his brother LeRoy Lindsey of Norman, his sisters Verna Brumley and her husband Marvin of Marlow, Dorothy Dennis of Rush Springs and Dorothy Beshers of Edmond and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Twila and Alfred Keisler of Anadarko, Okla.

Tamara was a gift to all she knew. Many depended on her for her strength and her friendship. Anyone who knew her loved her and if Tamara loved you, it was unconditional.
She was always helping people, donating her time, money and anything she could to help.
Tamara has a 15 year old son who will forever miss not only his Mother but his strength, his motivation and the love they had for each other.
Tamara Lynn will be missed by anyone who knew her.

I love you honey,

Mom

I retired from 30 years of teaching in 2012. I have one more thing to offer to education once I pass away. Donating myself will be my last teachable moment in this world,. I am praying that something positive will result from my tissue, organ, and body donation. Helping others is what I have made a career of, and people of all ages can benefit from my gift.

In Loving Memory of my late husband of many years Charles Regie White. We met when we were very young Regie 16 myself 13 just really good friends which later blossomed into love. and marriage. We have two children Michael and Tana. There are so many memories can only share a few. We both loved to dance and did so at every opportunity. Then there was all the fun we had snowmobile riding and staying in our travel trailer on frozen lakes and racing all around them. And of course all the motorcycle rides. We once took a trip from Anchorage Ak to Fairbanks over 400 miles in a caravan of motorcycles, trailers and vans we looked like a mixture of flower children and bikers. So much fun makes me smile to think about it. Regie was a good artist he pained some beautiful pictures and could do portraits well also. He owned his own body shop and did custom painting on show cars and bikes. He could paint anything they wanted on them from people to beautiful scenery. He was a good guy and will truly be missed, but never ever be forgotten. Your loving wife Patsy R. White

Nita Ann Christie, 85 went to be with our Father today at Meadowlake Estates, Moore, Ok. Nita was born on January 24th, 1935 in Oklahoma City, OK. to Glenn Darryl and Pansy Orlene (Neel) Christie.

Nita was a housewife and worked outside the home as the Executive Housekeeper of the Mayo Hotel in Tulsa, and later moving to Eureka Springs for the same position with the Crescent Hotel in 1975. Taking care of anyone at any time was her calling and coordinating turn down service for many guests and celebrities was something she was very proud of and included starts like Bob Hope, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, annual Disney on Ice stars and Mrs. Mayo, herself, to name a few.

Nita grew up in Oklahoma City and later, as a teen, moved to Tulsa where she married and started a family. Nita was married to Harold Hays of Sapulpa and later divorced and married Dan Budd of Tulsa. She moved to Norman in 1994 to be near family and loved gardening and the outdoors, whether it be long back roads driving, fishing, or just enjoying life. She was a detailed artist often drawing castles, mermaids, and the like. Her passion for helping others continued and many were attracted to her easy to love personality, as eccentric as she was! Her love for her family was endless and aside from her thrift store shopping hobby she loved spending time with family and friends, especially holiday’s when all were united.

Nita (Mom, Grammy) is survived by her children, Paul Darrell Hays, (Tulsa), Michael O’Brien Hays, (Broken Arrow), Thomas (Tom) Glenn Hays, (Oklahoma City) and Danna Christie (Budd) Fowble, (Norman). She was proceeded in death by her oldest daughter Deborah (Debbie) Hays, (Tulsa). She has many grandchildren, Melissa (Burr) Mulligan, Michaela (Hays) Clay, Katie (Hays) Taylor, Tyler Hays, Zach Hays, Jeremy Hays, Alessa Biancas, Nicholas Fowble, Erica Fowble, Christina Hays, Sarah (Hays) Delong, Brian Hays, Chris Hays, Tim Hays, Riley Hays, and Chelsea Hays and this does not include 19 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

Nita (Mom, Grammy) ...we all will miss your uniqueness in style and life. Coupled with your wit and humor, the love and hospitality you showed to all, your kindness, and willingness to serve others and your classy eccentric style, the world will be empty without you! We will see you one day in heaven and until we meet again...We Love You! You have walked the walk and run the race and now you can wear your crown in heaven and dance the dance!

The family will have a small gathering to celebrate Nita’s life on Saturday, October 10th at 1 p.m. at Lake Thunderbird State Park In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter, 6601 Broadway Extension, Suite 120, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 or to United Tissue Network 3620 E. Wier Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040 where her body was donated for research until COVID hit. They honored her award and will assist the family with cremation services.

I have lived a wonderful and beautiful life. I have children, grandchildren and a loving husband. I have seen and done so much in my life that I could not even begin to list them all here, but the thing I want people to remember me by is my love. I have loved so deeply and so long and I can't imagine what life would be without it. I impart to my family to always be happy and joyous, to cry when needed and to follow all that is good. Patience and humbleness will get you there! I am excited for my body donation and I hope that in the future with my passing that I will be able to give someone much needed organs that can contribute to someones health or extension of life. I hope medical staff will be able to study and learn how to better serve the sick and my ultimate hope is that whatever comes from this old body, it is helpful and good. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. Be blessed out there with kindness, love and joy!  

Growing up with my mother working in a hospital, my brothers and myself would have our weekend family meals in the staff dining room. Being typical kids we would sneak in and watch operations from the the upper gallery. After my service on submarines, I found my perfect job as s firefighter/Paramedic. Having clinicals in every departments of the hospital. Including helping performing a autopsy. I learn how important it is to know the different landmarks on a human body, even as a paramedic. Seeing that I want a stress free passing for my family, after talking it over with my family, we found the perfect solution. Donate my body, United Tissue, and after the are finished with it, they will cremate my remains and my daughter will forward
My remains to Navy who will fire my remains out of a submarine, and record the service for my family.

I am donating myself!! I don’t want to leave my family with a burden and don’t really care for the idea of people all sitting around a funeral home crying over a loss. I feel we are supposed to celebrate life and I think this will be a good way to do just that...

Dianna was a very vibrant and youthful woman. She loved nature and people. She was very giving and happy.
She also loved to dance, sing, and praise and worship God. She had many church homes and friends, and attended the women’s Aglow international bible study group. The ladies from that group will miss her very much, as will her 3 children, 4 grand children and many, friends and relatives.
May she Rest In Peace knowing she may have helped someone or even many with her physical donation.

My mother worked so hard in factories in Kentucky to raise my brother, Dane, and I. She gave us the world. Her body finally broke down after more than 20 years in those factories. She always had time for us and we never doubted her love, even as children we had no idea how hard she worked, how strong she was, and how kind and generous she was to other people who needed help. She never turned a needy soul away. She was also hilarious. I remember her and her close friend Patsy having marathon sessions of Yahtzee’! Eventually swearing up a storm at each other and laughing so hard, they cried. I just sat and watched the hilarity! I think if you could have asked her, she had a mostly a fun and happy life. Her grandchildren adored her. Their names are Ryan, Anna, and Anton. She made the best Jell-o cake every year for our birthdays. She loved to cook and she passed that down to my daughter. She wanted to help others even in death. I wanted her home with me as soon as possible, so I guess we got the best of both. Eventually, but probably not for years, I’m going to take her hiking with me, here in Colorado, and I will set her free on a beautiful glacier lake so she can be surrounded by the beauty she truly deserves. I hope you learned something from my mother and thank you for treating her with respect. A body is just a shell and I know it, but the woman, the soul in it, deserves the utmost respect and to be remembered as a person not just an experiment. Everybody was once their own person who loved, laughed and in my mother’s case, took zero crap from of anyone! A true feminist! Thank God she was my mother.

 

I Work for a church as a custodian and I am also a building manager for Beacon Street Ministries Inc. We have a food pantry where we feed the homeless every Friday night. We feed anywhere from 100-150 people rain or shine; This is our 11th year. So when God calls me home? I wanted to donate my body as my last act of giving back!!

My grandma always called me her beautiful angel and now shes my beautiful angel.

My mother was ways a giving person. She would literature give and give and give even though what she had was very little to give. While cleaning out her apartment after she passed I found a box labeled "gifts for family" that had dolls, electronics, toys etc for her grandkids. While closing her bank accounts it was found that she had automatic payments coming out from various nonprofit and Christian organizations. So it seems very fitting and within her character to be an organ and tissue donor. I know even if she could help one person through her donation or help some advancement in procedures or technology she'd be grateful.

Hoping the donation of my husband ,will help in learning more in the treatment of cerebral amloyd angioplasty for all.

Debra was my younger sister by 14 months and she was part of my life for 66 years. We grew up together, entered adulthood and motherhood together, and stayed close friends until her death two weeks ago. She enjoyed her youth as most of us do, and was so happy to marry and become the mother of two daughters, and subsequently the grandma of four. She worked very hard after her daughters grew up and proudly supported herself until she became disabled from Crohn ' s disease sometime in her late forties or early fifties (developing Crohn 's at 30 years old). She also fought a brave battle against COPD in her early sixties, and other health issues. Through most of her adult years, she suffered with severe illnesses, but had the strongest will to live, and always had hope that she would live to experience a cure for the diseases that ravaged her. She loved her family so much, and fought hard to remain with them, and be a part of her grandchildren's lives and memories. She did just that, with her courage and strong will to live, and lived much longer than a lot of people would have. She didn't want to give up. But two weeks ago, our loving heavenly Father decided she had suffered enough, and called her home to heaven, where she is now whole and pain free. I am so proud of her for donating her body for research with the sincere hope that the research will benefit others in the future. She talked about doing this for years and lovingly followed through at the end. Debra was a wonderful, beautiful, sister and friend, and I will love her and miss her until we meet again. Rest in peace, my precious sister. You deserve it. ♡♡♡

UTN contacted me the night my husband past away, they saw where he was a donor, I was still in a state of shock so I wasn't in the best of form. They said they would call me back in the morning, which they did asked a lot of question about my husband, told me they would take care of everything. I told UTN that my husband had some health problems, and they said, "they could use his tissue and skin for research." I'm so glad they were able to use his body. They picked his body up at the hospital and took care of everything . It was a God send, I want to donate my body to UTN one day.

UTN was very sensitive to my feelings and was kind and considerate. It's good to know that my husband's legacy lives on through others.

As difficult as it was to see my parents move on, your company provided a service that not only helped me financially, but provided me with the remains of my loved ones...who both wished to be remanded to Mount Susitna in Alaska. Their ashes will be joined with many of their friends on what would of been their 53rd wedding anniversary. God blessed me with 50 wonderful years with them and will reunite me when it is my time. God bless you all for the work that you do..:)

My husband passed away on March 7, 2016. Both of us are organ donors, but because of the infection in his leg and numerous other organ complications, his organs would not be of help to anyone. He had two strokes in 2001 and several others through the years, and he always said that he wanted his body to be donated to science so that maybe they could figure out what went wrong with his brain in the hopes that they could prevent others from what he went through for 15 years. I hope that by donating his body it will help them help someone else. God bless you for the work that you do.

Kim was a kind, loving mom, wife, sister, aunt and daughter. She had the amazing ability to make you feel like old friends after only just meeting. She could and would stop and talk to anyone, anytime. She left us on St.Patrick's day of 2016 after a long battle with Crohns disease and more recently heart problems. She was a light of life to everyone, especially her family and nieces and nephews. She was very proud of her son and the man he grew to be. Kim had always planned to donate her organs to help people and body to medical advancement, knowing she could help others who suffer with these diseases. I was honored to be able to see her wishes through. Kim will be missed terribly by her family and friends, but we take some solace in knowing her final act was to help others.

It was my husband's wish to donate every part of him that could be used to help in any way possible. Making the call was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. They were very compassionate with us and made things as easy as can be during this difficult time.

"Jean was an amazing woman who loved her family, friends and country. She was a strong and independent woman, yet was always helping others. Donating her body for science came as no surprise to anyone who knew her. It just seemed to be the natural thing for her to do." -Pamela P.

"For years during our growing into adulthood my brother talked about his physical body and how it held the key to helping others. He studied the book Grey’s Anatomy to understand how the body worked, and tried various healthy living options to see how his body improved when he followed this lifestyle. When he passed suddenly my brothers and I knew this would be a wish of his—to allow others to learn from the donation of his body. We are grateful to UTN for this opportunity." -Jan L-D.

"Daisy embraced her family with open arms and a generous heart. So it is only fitting that having lived to a graceful 95 years old, it was her desire to share generously with medical professionals her body's legacy. She hoped her body donation would offer the opportunity for scientists to explore and discover explanations to her longevity. Ultimately, allowing others to live life as she did - abundantly." -Jim J.

"My dad decided years ago to be an organ donor. Later he learned that few hospice patients get to be the type of donor most people assume they will be. He learned he could donate other ways and told us that is what he would like to do. He was retired military and in some ways, we know he gave his life for his country. Thank you for providing this service." -Susan K.

"My husband loved the Lord, his family and his country, which he served and defended for 30 years while in the submarine service. He was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in November. Never once throughout his battle with this disease did he question God's plan or will for his life. He fought the fight with determination and grace. Even as the disease took away his strength, his ability to eat, and other bodily functions, he strived to maintain as normal a life as possible. When the time came for him to go home to the Lord, he was ready. He was able to tell us, his family, how much we had enriched his life. And we, in turn, were able to tell him how much he meant to us. He went peacefully, in his sleep, surrounded by all of us who loved him, just as he had wished. His life was one of service, and by donating his organs and tissue to science, he hoped that one day a cure would be found, for this disease which at this time is, incurable." -Carol W.

"Our father, was a loving, intelligent, and religious person who shared his wisdom and laughter with everyone who knew him. He had very sharp and accurate memory even at age of 88. He was very interested in health sciences and use of human body for other needy people upon death. His belief was that anything that he had which could be used to save others, was worth the time and effort. It is his wish that we carried out and we are grateful to UTN for this opportunity." -Mahendra and Sandhya S.

"My mother was an amazing woman. She cared about people throughout her life. She always put others before herself. Mom suffered from multiple medical conditions which resulted in a hard life for her over the last several years. Whether it was dealing with diabetes or Alzheimer's we had talked about the desire for more medical research done to help. Being able to donate her body to medical research allowed mom to help others even in her own death. It was her one last way of putting others before herself. Watching her go through her ups and downs was the hardest thing our family has ever done. Knowing that with her donation hopefully soon other families will not have to go through what we did makes the process somewhat easier." -Mitzi G.

“She was our beloved mother, our provider, our teacher. Occasionally she was our most fearsome foe but always our most loyal friend. Her beginnings were meager, a child of Depression-era West Texas hardscrabble and no stranger to financial hardship, harder work, firm Christian beliefs and simple joys sung to the tune of huge laughter. One of her favorite sayings among a million was "Waste not, want not." Therefore we were not surprised that she made her final earthly decision one that adhered to this same motto. As she approached the end of her days she would sometimes remark that it did not make sense to be buried in the clay if there was any possibility that some physical portion of who she had become could be used toward the advancement of science and the business of improving and saving lives. There are so many things that we could say about our mother, all of them good and true. On her behalf, we are glad to be able to thank you for giving mama, who we will love and miss forever, the opportunity to leave just as she had lived - by wasting not.” –Sherry L.

“My brother had a bad car wreck when he was 17; wasn't expected to live. Even though he survived the wreck it just seemed like he was always sick or stricken with something for the remaining 47 years of his life. I saw him suffer a majority of his life. He was hospitalized so many times I lost count. Then in the last couple of years he was diagnosed with MS in which he could hardly speak and was bed ridden. I know he was miserable and suffering so if this research can help anyone not go through what I saw him go through I know he would want that. He is at peace now and no long suffering.” –Terri M.

“My mom was a fun loving, caring and giving woman. She embroidered blankets for The Linus Group, which gives blankets to babies and children in need and also gives to the Indian reservations. That was my mom's passion. She loved to play games like Scrabble, Yahtzee, Dominoes, Rummy and Monopoly. She loved to go to auctions and thrift stores. Mom had been through hell and back. She was a survivor of breast cancer. She had it in 1991 and had a mastectomy with no chemo or radiation, was cancer free. She had two open heart surgeries and lots of other surgeries. The worst was when my family was in a car wreck on my mom and dad's wedding anniversary in September. My sister was alive at the scene but after they took the steering wheel off she died, my nephew was ok just had bruises, mom was in terrible shape. She was in the hospital and nursing home all together for about 5 months. She was told she would never walk again, but mom, the tough lady she was, did walk. That was over 9 years ago. She wanted to donate her whole body because she wanted to help people even in death. She thought maybe they could find a cure for some disease or just help people with her body and maybe they could learn new things. My mom's death was a shock. She went in for an angiogram and went into respiratory failure. They put her on a ventilator and she was coherent and we thought she would come out of the hospital soon. She was also on dialysis too. So the combination of taking her off the ventilator and dialysis she ended up throwing a blood clot which perforated her bowl and she went into septic shock and her organs shut down, there was no hope. She had an awesome, caring doctor, he was so spiritual and mom died with dignity in February. Thank you for letting me share my mom with you.” –Rachelle M.

“My mother was a very caring woman full of energy and had love and an open hand to lend to anyone, even strangers. God was her first love, then her family and all the ministry work she did. Even when she was sick she was out there helping others, she never complained once about being sick or hurting.” –Tiffany G.

"My husband, passed away due to complications from multiple sclerosis in July. He had suffered with this disease for over 30 years. The last 2 1/2 years were spent in a nursing home because his mobility was severely limited. We discussed cremation and other options but he wanted his life to count for something so it was his decision to donate his body for research and training. He said that he hoped his brain would be examined and that a possible step closer to a cure would result. He fought the good fight and at the end we were treated with great respect and empathy. Thank you for this service." -Jennie

"Our beloved mother, including her late husband (our step-father), had both decided to contribute their bodies to science. Both had plots available and paid for, prior to them finding out about how much more they could serve and assist science, as well as the medical world in finding medical solutions and/or cures. Our mom, as a Christian, knew that the body is only a vessel that God gave us while on this earth. And the donation of her body to help and assist others, is only the final part of the giving that she did thru-out her life. We love you mom!" -Monica / CJ / Darin / Troit

"My mother was an amazing lady. She donated platelets as often as she could for 18 years. She fostered many sick and injured cats and dogs for the Humane Society. She donated monthly to many worthwhile charities. She and I had spoken often about her end of life plans, she wanted to donate her organs to help as many as possible. Unfortunately, at the end, the cancer had spread through her body. I know she and I hope that some cure can be found by her final donation. In loving memory forever." -Ericka S.

"It's an honor to tell you my father's story. He decided to donate his body years before he passed. He had lung cancer that had spread to the liver and beyond. When we found out he lived for 26 days. He had waited to tell me how sick he was for along time. I will just be honest and tell you one of the main reasons he decided to donate is because he just didn't like or understand the whole funeral thing. He joked that he didn't want to be the only one there. He was a hard man with a great sense of humor! I miss him everyday. I didn't realize he was my best friend until I was no longer able to call him with a problem. I also believe that he had his own private reasons for donation. I think he thought it would do good for others and make his life have more meaning. I know too that it was a gift for me. He did not want to cry around and be sad. My son and I just had another conversation about it last night, confirming to each other that we want to do the same. We believe the spirit leaves the body upon death. It makes perfect sense to us to leave a gift for not only science but to each other also. There will be no funeral only a celebration of our lives! Thank you so much!" -Stephanie B.

"My wife was a rock solid Christian and was a giver all of her life. In the last months of the disease (mylodisplastic syndrome MDS) she stated that she wanted to continue to give by giving her body to science so that they may possibly find something to help others. She was very active in the ministry in designing web site for christian ministries at little or no charge to them and she is sorely missed in this field. Also as a part our ministry she dressed in Biblical robes and read scripture as I did the potters story with a potters wheel and clay. We traveled all over the U.S. and Mexico winning souls for Christ. She also ministered with hand building with clay. She was an ordained minister with Full Gospel Churches International and loved and admired by all who knew her, she will be missed by all who met her."-Terry V.

"My mom was a kind, loving and compassionate person to all people (and animals) who had the pleasure of meeting her. Her generosity knew no bounds. Mom suffered from many medical conditions the five years preceding her passing. This made her life incredibly difficult yet no matter what, she still always put others before herself. As an organ donor as well as being able to donate her body to science to help others was what she always wanted. Even in death, she helped others. She was an incredible person and will be loved and missed greatly by all." -Heather B.

"My aunt was dedicated to keeping herself healthy throughout all her years. Her final wish was to donate her body to scientific research so that others could learn and benefit from her lifestyle. She was the sweetest lady and she will be missed." -Brenda M.

"Larry was a very generous person in life. He was a sales person by trade but loved meeting and talking to people in general. He was the person who would stop and give the homeless guy on the street a dollar. He didnt care if they bought a hamburger or a beer he just knew that he was blessed. He had a friend that was homeless and he took him in until he could get back on his feet. Another friend was in California for his mothers funeral and had no way to get back to Oklahoma. Although we were having a hard time financially, at that time he bought him a bus ticket home. Most people can't say they had the best BUT I can. His cancer was rare and he hoped by donating to UTN he could help someone else in some small way. His last 5 years were very hard because he had become disabled due to heart problems but he got up every day and smiled. I only hope when my time comes I can be as brave as he was. I will also be a donor to UTN.We saw no reason to pay thousands of dollars for a piece of metal and a hole in the ground because you leave your soul and your goodness with the people you loved and left behind. Although he left me to soon I am comforted knowing he was able to possibly help in some small way." - Karen W.

"My mother was a very loving and kind person. Everyone that met her liked her. She wanted to be an organ and tissue donor after she found out that my son had donated his organs and tissues when he passed away. So she said that she wanted to be an organ donor as well because she felt the same as he did. Helping others was what she wanted, so she signed up. She will always be missed by all who loved her and those that had a chance encounter with her." - Beth D.

"John was raised in Norman, Oklahoma, playing baseball in high school and graduating from the University of Oklahoma. He raised his family in Norman. He was an avid OU football fan and loved the Thunder and the Yankees too. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards and telling funny stories of the glory days. John was an excellent golfer and spent his retirement traveling with his wife and playing on golf courses all over the country. John passed away after a brief battle with cancer, leaving his family to feel an enormous loss. John and his wife have always discussed wanting to donate their bodies to science. When John passed, it was the best decision for the family to follow his wishes. This would allow there to be some sort of good to come out of something so terrible." - Jackie G.

"My son was born in 1980 and died June 25, 2015. We never expected this as he had an issue with club feet when he was born and he never complained about his feet not looking "normal". I know he had wanted to do something great for others as he was a very loving and gentle son. When he passed, we found UTN online and knew that they would be the right organization to give his earthly body to so others might be able to study and learn from his different afflictions. I knew he was already with the Lord and he must have been smiling down at us and the students, doctors, or scientists who may be able to learn from his body. This team that "worked on" his body did so with care and respect. The cremains were delivered to me quicker than expected along with his jewelry he was wearing when he was removed from his room. I feel proud of him wanting to help others and hope others will do the same. I certainly plan on it. Thank you UTN." - Jeaneen

"My husband and I decided years ago that donation of our bodies was the right thing to do. We know that saving lives helps everyone. It may give the receiver the time needed to get right with God." - Julie L.

"Brenda, completed her earthly assignment on October 1st,,2015. Our mother was a women who believed her place was in the home attending to the needs of her children and spouse, and she was perfectly content in this role. Born in1942 in New Bedford, MA and was the third of five children. She was very proud of the fact that she was the first child in her family to graduate earn a High School Diploma. Upon her completion of High School, she dedicated her life to being a mother and a wife. This was her purpose in life she thought. She was a woman born into humble beginnings but she quickly learned how rich her life could be. Her simple lifestyle was proof enough that her happiness was not derived from material possessions, but rather from the memories she’d made with those she truly loved. A proud native of New England she was her entire life, however in 1969 she found herself relocated on the exact opposite coast in which she was born. This new place was Sunny Southern California, and she’d soon call this new town of San Diego her home. Brenda spent the greater part of her life there, perfectly content. Her favorite hobbies were playing bingo, the organ, and the accordion. She could often be found singing to the golden oldies. Brenda proceeds her 3 children, 5 grandchildren and two great grandchildren in death." - Heidi D.