Marianna Yesh Dec 18, 1932 - May 18, 2012

My mother passed away yesterday May 18. I will miss her voice and having her arms around me when I need a hug. It seems hard to believe that just two Saturdays ago, I sat in her sun porch having a conversation with her. She slipped quickly after that. My father, siblings and I provided care for her in her home for three days with the help of hospice. On the fourth day, she was moved to Angela Hospice where she spent the last week of her life. Most of my time spent with her there was in one-way conversation. At times she would ask for pie, water, mumble names or whimper in pain. But other than that, I felt that she was no longer connected to us.

As the days wore on, my father, siblings and I wore thin. Last Monday, as I watched in despair and wondered how long she could go on like this, the date May 18 popped into my head. Hmmm...a little odd, but 18 was my mom's birthday and her wedding anniversary...could it be that would be the day of her death? A few close calls during the week rattled everyone, but I felt oddly calm and told a few people she was going to die on Friday, the 18th. Sure enough, she did......and when I got the news....I felt "connected" to her as if she was in "cahoots" with me and had told me the date so I could be prepared for the moment. As I drove to hospice to "support my father" (funny how all my siblings and I showed up to support my father...perhaps we all really need each other as we said our last goodbye) for the first time in a week I felt my mother and found myself having a conversation with her. It was as though she was with me....I wonder if perhaps in this last week her soul/her being has been somewhere..purgatory perhaps...somewhere that kept her spirit out of touch with us even though her physical body was still here. With her final breath, it as if her spirit has been released to the heavens and while I can no longer see or feel her physical touch, I can feel her presence.

So...rest in peace mom...I love you...I miss you and I can feel you...I know you are here in spirit and I know you will remember the words I whispered to you and will talk to God about curing Lisa.

For those of you who are interested, the viewing will be:
Monday May 21, from 2:00-9:00 pm.
Rosary at 7:00 pm.
Santeui and Sons Funeral Home
1139 Inkster Road Garden City, MI 48135
734 427-3800

The funeral Mass will be at:
Divine Child
Tuesday May 22 at 9:30

If you would like to send donation in lieu of flowers they can be sent to:

Angela Hospice

Development Office

14100 Newburgh Rd.

Livonia, MI 48154
OR

U of M Office of Medical Development and Alumni Relations
Attn: Mike Hartwell/Blast Neuroblastoma
1000 Oakbrook Drive
Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Make checks payable to University of Michigan