A Tearful Farewell to Lori

Rickey Lynn called me this evening at about 9:30 pm. Today was the first day of the year, and it was the saddest day for the Gans family. Lori passed away this evening a little after 5pm, and the family has lost their mother, wife, sister, friend. Lori finally succumbed to the long battle she has been battling for her life, and her body gave in to the final assault, liver failure.
The funeral will probably be on Friday morning, though the details have not yet been set. The family will be sitting 'shiva,' the proscribed days of mourning dictated by Jewish tradition, at the family home in Tempe. Friends and family traditionally visit the mourners at their home during these days. If you would like to honor Lori's memory by participating in this tradition, please call me (Susan) at 602-843-4049 and I'll give you the address and directions. (Or you can send me an email -- my email address is " thewebwalker @ cox. net " without the spaces.)
Lori is a beautiful woman, a gifted writer, kind, generous and giving, beloved by her family and cherished by a multitude of friends. We will miss you forever, Lori, more than words can say. And to Rickey Lynn, Jennifer, David, Kendell, June, and all of Lori's extended family, we offer love and compassion as you go through this terrible time of grief.

A note from Rickey Lynn:
The end has come. Lori is at peace finally. Around 5:00 p.m. they disconnected all the machines. Lori took about 5 breaths, and was gone. I cannot convey my sadness to you. After almost 35 years we are now apart for the first time. I know life must go on, but I'm just not sure how.
...
In the Jewish religion, there is no viewing or open casket. We will let everyone know the time of the internment which will take place on Friday morning. The place will be Green Acres Cemetery on Hayden Road and McKellips at the border of Tempe and Scottsdale.

Men will be offered a traditional yarmulke or hat to wear during the ceremony. Seating is minimal and usually provided just for the mourners. Anyone who wishes to speak of Lori will be welcome to. At the end of the ceremony, the coffin is lowered into the ground, and each person is invited to place a small shovel full of earth onto the casket as a symbolic honor of helping bury a friend or loved one.

We will then leave the cemetery and return to the house where we will sit shiva (mourn the person who died) for 3 days. At the end of the third day, we are no longer permitted to mourn and must get on with life, no matter how painful it is.
Sadly and with a great many tears,
Rickey Lynn, Jennifer, June, David, and Kendell

Comments

Anonymous said…
Dear Rickey Lynn and all,

We are so sorry to read about Lori's passing. We know you all must be feeling so lost and sad. May you be comforted among the mourners in Zion, and may you know no more sorrow.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008 3:39:00 AM
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