ri702bill 8,339 #1 Posted July 17, 2023 (edited) ..., my Wife of 46 years took her last breath and was gone. We buried her a week ago Saturday - she was diagnosed in late March with Esophageal Cancer. The sucessful recovery rate for that is appalingily low - 15%...... My adult children and I had to ask her 2 weeks before she passed as to just what her final wishes were, so it be clear in her final days. With the help of Friends, Old and New, we were able to meet her requests. She wanted to die at home... after her last Hospital stay, we had the help from Home Hospice to meet that request. They are exceptional people. Check... She wanted to be buried wearing her Wedding Gown. That one took the help from an old friend - my Best Man's Father in law. The FIL owned a string of Dry Cleaning stores in the Boston area, and as a Wedding present 46 years ago to my Wife, he cleaned and preserved her Gown on a form, Vacuum sealed in plastic, placed in a box, in a box, in a box. We had it saved for just that purpose. Check... She wanted to be buried locally in the same Cemetary as her Parents, in a plot near them for she and I, This almost did not happen - old Cemetary that was so full up, they recently demolished the Chapel to add a few more gravesites - and those were now full. I have known the Funeral Director for 25 years or more - he did a little checking and there was ONE double plot available that was recently sold back to the Church, as the previous family had other plans. He reserved it for us, part of the final bill. Just a row behind her parents, about 8 graves away. Check... Through the decline of her health, my Wife never lost her sense of humor. I took her for numerous CAT Scans and MRI's - the technicians have a shopping list of questions to be answered prior to the procedure... Do you have any metal in your body - pins, plates, or screws? - Nope she would reply. Dentures or partial plates? - another Nope. Any tattoos? - she would look them in the eye and say that there was no ink on her Birthday Suit!! Driving her home, she would remark that those technicians had a crappy job, and they needed a bit of cheering up..... Folks I run into ask how I am doing. I tell them I am not at the point were each day gets a little better, but each day sucks a little less than the day before..... Bill Edited July 17, 2023 by ri702bill 2 10 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,293 #2 Posted July 17, 2023 So sorry for your loss, this is a beautiful story thank you for sharing. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,332 #3 Posted July 17, 2023 Sorry to be reading this Bill. She sounds like an amazing woman! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,387 #4 Posted July 17, 2023 Sorry for your loss. Her wishes were met, something to be thankful for. Prayers for you and your family. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalez 137 #5 Posted July 17, 2023 Sorry for your loss. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,600 #6 Posted July 17, 2023 Prayers for your wife, you and your family. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #7 Posted July 17, 2023 I am very sorry to hear about you loss. On a good note all of her wishes were honored and met which is a great thing for you and the children to live with. It’s refreshing and inspirational to hear of someone with such a sense of humor through out the most difficult time of their lives. It teaches us a lot on how to deal with adversity and difficult moments . The fact that she wanted to buried in her wedding gown states volumes on what she felt about you and your marriage . Incredible gesture and presence of mind. May she rest in peace . 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ineedanother 1,369 #8 Posted July 17, 2023 Sorry for your loss Bill. Thanks for sharing the story with us. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,339 #9 Posted July 17, 2023 Thanks everyone for the kind words and support. Here is a takeaway from all this... The times are a-changin' - and maybe not for the better. As I was getting into the family limo after the Church Service, my Funeral Director friend came over and asked how I doing... I replied that so far, all was well. I joked that so far, there were no fistfights yet and no one got locked up! He changed his tone to tell me that just that seems to be the new normal in his business. He said that 6 out of 10 times there ARE serious incidents. He asked if I ever saw a Funeral procession with 2 or 3 Family limos. That was because of the "It's all about me" egos of younger folks - they cannot put their differences aside for even one day and demand separate cars.... Sad. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #10 Posted July 17, 2023 Condolences & 🙏 Bill. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J854D 137 #11 Posted July 17, 2023 I am so sorry for your loss Bill. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your wife sounds like she was a courageous person. May she Rest In Peace. I too lost my dear wife of 38 years to cancer 3-1/2 years ago. I know how tough this time can be for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. -JD- 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,634 #12 Posted July 18, 2023 @ri702bill very sorry for your loss , words can only try to reflect to your partner , glad you have things covered and are supported . good your children were involved with any help , issues . my thoughts go with you , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PWL216 889 #13 Posted July 18, 2023 Sorry for your loss Bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marv 924 #14 Posted July 18, 2023 Heart rending Bill. I emphatize with you. The love of my life went to heaven in February after 66 years together. I send you my sincere condolences. Marv 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Mac 8,623 #15 Posted July 18, 2023 sorry for your loss. happy you had that conversation. I had the same conversation with my father before he passed. He too told me his final wishes and was able to grant everyone of them. May she rest in peace. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,969 #16 Posted July 18, 2023 Bill, I cannot say I know how you feel as I have not walked in your shoes, however my children and I are waiting to hear the report from an Oncologist regarding testing for their Mother. We were married 45 years ago. As of now . no news. My sincere prayer for you is for God to ease the suffering that you must be experiencing now while you go through this transition. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warning:Unsupervised 81 #17 Posted July 18, 2023 (edited) Omg, Im so sorry to hear this sir. I know my words wont help much, so Ill say a few more prayers tonight our freind. Keep the family close, even those who need a kick in the pants at times help with this pain. I mean' who's better to holler at right? Damn sorry for your loss Bill! 🙏 ❤️🩹 Edited July 18, 2023 by 123GO 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warning:Unsupervised 81 #18 Posted July 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Wheel-N-It said: Bill, I cannot say I know how you feel as I have not walked in your shoes, however my children and I are waiting to hear the report from an Oncologist regarding testing for their Mother. We were married 45 years ago. As of now . no news. My sincere prayer for you is for God to ease the suffering that you must be experiencing now while you go through this transition. 🙏 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,609 #19 Posted July 18, 2023 Very sorry to of your loss. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #20 Posted July 18, 2023 So sorry for your loss..at least she got many of the things she wanted. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,214 #21 Posted July 18, 2023 Sorry for your loss. Sounds like she was an amazing woman. 🙏 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,764 #22 Posted July 18, 2023 Our Prayers for you and yours Bill. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
