I could use some thoughts here..

My mom passed away early this morning, and being that she requested no services or viewing as her wishes, I would like to honor her memory in some way shape or form. I can't help but feel the need to honor her in some form other than just completing her wishes. She was Catholic, but felt that the ceremonies performed in the church today were not what she wanted.

i'm aware of websites that you can set up yourself that showcase someone that you know who's passed, such as legacy.com. I was wondering if anyone out there has used any one of, or a combination of, these sites to be able to create a memorial of sorts for someone who they cared about enough to do so.


Thoughts, ideas, experiences are greatly appreciated.

 

Oh...buddy...So sorry to hear about this.......My condolences...

 

Sorry to hear of your loss, you have my deepest condolences and prayers sent from WV.

I do not have any ideas for you on how to honor her publicly other than to say that You living your life in a manner that would make her proud is probably the greatest honor you can give her.

 

NJT, condolences and remember all the good times.Interpret her life through your eyes and do that which you feel is warranted.

 

Thank you all.

My mom gave me the best thing that any human could give to another... which was to open the door to her being......to the real "Claire" that I never knew before. She allowed me to experience the joy and happiness that she held hidden in her heart for so many decades, due to life's negative experiences we all go through. It took a bad fall, a broken hip, and a month in a rehab to allow her to release what intense enthusiasm in life that was there was deep inside, and let it live again. I just so happen to be the lucky recipient that got to enjoy it with her, buy rekindling the relationship when she needed someone most.

Life can bring you down many paths, but every once in a while you get to travel a road that forever changes you. Mom led me down that road, and it's altered me in a way where I appreciate what I have much more than I previously did. It's made me a better person by being there, and enjoying what I was never able to see previously. It's made me love her more than I ever did, and I'm truly grateful.

I'm saddened mostly by not being given enough time to spend with her, as it was only a short few weeks long. I can honestly say that those moments were of quality, and I'll never regret a second of it that transpired. It was truly the most difficult thing I've ever lived through, being in the last moments of her life when she finally let go, but by doing so, she allowed me to share who she was, and the experience has just made deeper felt that I could have imagined.. I will always be thankful to her, cherish those memories, and hold that gift with me forever.


I will truly miss her... and really, that's what hurts the most. I never knew that her passing would have affected me to this degree and level that it has. Maybe a public honoring isn't the right way to go, and I should be looking for something more personal.



Thanks

 

After reading what you just said I have no doubt she knows just how much she meant to you and she will be with you always

 

We are all backing you NJT...I have gone through this same situation as you are going through right now...And I know some others have gone through the same thing...Keep posting , you feel better...I did the same here when dad passed away suddenly in 2006..I posted here...Just for support..It helps..

 

I am sorry for you loss T. I will keep you and your mother in my thoughts and prayers. I went through some similar feelings when I lost my mother also. If you need anything give me a call I am always around.

 

Same here...You could PM your phone number,if you like NJT..And I could call you...I have a bundles package for long distance in North America...So it's no cost to me...

 

Thanks Fellas

Nice to know others who care and have gone through the same.

 

You should try writing more about her, ALL the memories and feelings. Whether or not you realize it, you can tell a story quite well and you should expand on that ability in her memory.

My sincerest condolences to you.

 

Sorry for you loss. You have my condolences. I know what you are going through. I lost both of my parents last year. My Mother on March 20th and my Father on July 1. We had services for both of them. My youngest brother and a neice put together a poster board collage of photos. Keith

 

Very sorry for your loss, NJT. In answer to your question, I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I know of several people who have passed on and a friend or relative has set up a Facebook page to honor their memory. You can set it up so people can join on their own, or you can make it invitation based. People can share their stories or pictures of their loved one, or just offer support.

 

Thanks.

My mind has been a little foggy lately.....but I'm feeling better as time goes on.

Mom grew up in Elizabeth NJ. Her name was Claire and she was the youngest of 10 siblings in a very religious, catholic family, she was lucky enough to grow up in a family that wasn't hit as hard by the great depression as others. Somewhere back in our history, there was a wealthy shipping merchant, but that was long gone by the time my mother was a teenager. Here's a shot when she was just 8 years old in her communion dress.




Her mom lived until 1950 when she was killed in a car crash on a visit to California, and my mom was driving. This was the first in a series of heartbreaks that took a huge toll on my mom and her psyche, but I'll try to explain that later.

My grandmother passed away around 1951, so I wasn't even a thought at that time. Grandma was a large woman who loved kids. Her husband, my mom's father, passed away about a year after my mom was born, so I don't have any pix of him at all, and from what I know, this is the only pic of Grandma.



Back in 1950, at the age of 20, mom was a vibrant beautiful young lady who's entire life was just ahead of her. She was on her way to creating a family with a boyfriend she met at the Singer Sewing Co factory by the name of Richard. This photo was taken on Easter just prior to her marriage in June of 1950. Amazing how she could smile back then.



Wedding pix are a point of reference that most women and men keep in their minds when they think of happy times. My mom's wedding pic is no exception.



They obviously cared a great deal about each other in the beginning. Richard was in the Navy for the first couple of years of their marriage, and they were stationed somewhere in CA near San Diego. Mom never really discussed their relationship, but it appeared to be a good one at the time of this pic.



Here's a vacation shot from Capistrano CA. No Idea where, but seemed like a nice place to visit at the time.



A funny thing about the time was the whole "pin up" girl craze that was happening back then. I found lots of photos (none that were of sensitive nature) and apparently, the wives of the service men used to send pictures of themselves to their husbands for them to hold on to, or pin up in their barracks. My mom was no exception.



This shot was them on vacation in with her sister Rose and an uncle, but I never saw it before, so I don't know what his name was. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to ask any longer...



Continued on the next page.

 

.....Keep posting...It will help...Very good honor you did here..