The people who were most important to Mom - the people she blessed with all her love and attention - are her three children - Randall, Gail & Deborah, her eight grandchildren, her seven great-grandchildren, her one great-great grandchild, her two sisters, and her many nephews, nieces and cousins.
But her children were not surprised recently to see the tears of her new friends and neighbors across from her apartment at Sakonnet Bay - people she lately went to parties with, to music performances, socials and dinner almost every day since last December.
"What a wonderful woman! She was so sweet - and so much fun," one of her new friends said as we were gathering some of Mom's belongings from her apartment, "We'll really miss her."
Yes, Mom was a wonderful woman, a loving mother, a fantastic cook, and a real charmer who loved life to the fullest.
As one of her grandchildren put it so nicely when he got the sad news - "She'll be teaching the Angels a bit about style!"
But Mom was strong as well as charming - fiercely protective of those she loved and infinitely generous with that love.
Gail, Deb and I are so thankful we were able to be with her - at her bedside - listening with her to Frank Sinatra - when she peacefully passed away --- and we are comforted by the fact that SHE will also be with US - making us smile every day, probably sometimes laugh - until the day we get to be with her again.
Please join us for a few smiles and laughter in her honor at Mom's home on Merritt Avenue - the first Sunday in May - for "A Celebration of Mom's Life."