Dear Hilarious Aunt Loraine.....we miss you already

Uncle Don and Aunt Loraine

Tax day. Aunt Loraine woke up feeling good. Not that she had been sick, but she has not been as active and wasn't getting out much. She slept late many days, which I plan on doing when I am 78!! She even wanted to go out for breakfast. She and Uncle Don had breakfast out and afterwards she wanted to get something else for Bella's Birthday. Uncle had already bought her a stuffed quail that makes the quail call when you press its' back. On Friday's we usually take Bella over to their house and she loves to feed the quail in their backyard.




They searched and searched for a card with the number '9' on it for her 9th Birthday. They finally found one and Aunt insisted on getting her another gift--- a variety pack that has notepads, pens and a variety of other fun stuff. They got home in time for her to watch her soaps. A while later they had 'happy hour' on the back porch; drinks, a little shrimp cocktail. It was getting to be dinnertime, so she went inside to put the chicken in the oven. She then sat down in her blue recliner. About 15 minutes later, Uncle went in to check on her, he looked over at the chair, and he knew instantly that she was gone. He said he had no doubt. He went and got a cool, wet cloth, put it to her face and said, please don't leave me, trying to wake her.......


The ambulance came and attempted to revive her....took her to the hospital....they tried to revive her, but she was already gone.


As we sat with Uncle at his house afterwards, he talked freely about the day, crying at times, laughing at times. He was concerned about Bella's Birthday party tonight. He went and got the gifts and card. He asked me, how do I sign the card Margie----just Uncle Don. I said no, sign Aunt Loraine too. A few hours before, she had picked out the card and gift. We encouraged him to come tonight, we would pick him up, take him home when he wants to go. He will let us know.


It will be lonely for him, but we plan to keep him busy.


Aunt Loraine had a wonderful sense of humor and was very witty. She would say some of the funniest unforgettable things. She was always good to my sons, and granddaughters. One thing I will never forget about her and has influenced my behavior is, she ALWAYS, ALWAYS, called me (and sometimes sent a card too) to thank me after a party/dinner at our home. She was big about writing thank you notes. It's kind of a lost etiquette and that is sad. There is so much more I could say about her life...and will at some point. I just wanted to honor her life this morning.


Please pray for Uncle Don. I think he will do fine; he has a zest for life; but my gosh, 58 years with someone and one day they aren't there anymore.