Bye Bye Mauschen
It is with great sadness that we report Marlies' passing this morning at 12:15. She was surrounded by her three children when she passed peacefully.
The last eleven weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotion which included many good visits from friends and family, trips to restaurants, and family moments. The swings of emotion were mostly ours as Marlies maintained a stoicism throughout. This was not a battle for her. Rather than arm herself for a fight, she observed conscientiously, following doctor's orders on how to take a punch but not throwing one of her own. On her good days she rallied like a champion.
We were lucky to have such a perfect patient. She was always the favorite of the nurses. We will continue to publish on this blog stories about mom's care, ones that show how much we enjoyed caring for her.
There is a gaping hole in our lives right now. One that will never completely fill in. This is life at its most undressed.
The last eleven weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotion which included many good visits from friends and family, trips to restaurants, and family moments. The swings of emotion were mostly ours as Marlies maintained a stoicism throughout. This was not a battle for her. Rather than arm herself for a fight, she observed conscientiously, following doctor's orders on how to take a punch but not throwing one of her own. On her good days she rallied like a champion.
We were lucky to have such a perfect patient. She was always the favorite of the nurses. We will continue to publish on this blog stories about mom's care, ones that show how much we enjoyed caring for her.
There is a gaping hole in our lives right now. One that will never completely fill in. This is life at its most undressed.
posted by BW at 9:18 AM
10 Comments:
Brian, Patrick and Kim, I'm so glad your Mother had her beloved children by her side in her final moments. Your voices and guidance must have soothed her in her transition to peaceful, painless rest.
I will never forget what strength Marlies showed this past year; through it all she maintained her sense of humor, warmth and spirit! May no one forget her legacy.
Schlußstück
Der Tod ist groß
Wir sind die Seinen,
Lachenden Munds.
Wenn wir uns mitten im Leben meinen
Wagt er zu weinen
Mitten in uns.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Liebe Marlies,
Du wirst auch hier sehr vermisst.
Moni
Marlies will watch over all of us and at times will wonder "what are you doing??" We will live with the love she left us with.
Kim, Patrick and Brian your expression of love and caring for your mother has been an example for all. I pray that God's peace and comfort will be yours. George
To the Williams family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like Marlies was blessed to have many loving friends and a wonderful family to support her through her illness. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you the best.
Michele
My heart is broken because I loved your mother and always looked forward to her visits to Buena Vista. She could always find laughter in almost any situation....even adversity. She was such a spirit and showed her inner strength throughout her illness. What a lucky mother she was to have you three to care for her so beautifully and give her the love and support she needed during these difficult months.
You are wonderful examples of what every mother would hope their children would do in a similar situation. She was a great model to follow!
Marlies will remain in my heart because of the joy she brought to so many. All of you are in my prayers as you adjust to life without your dear mother.
Love to all, Carol Murray
Brian, Patrick and Kim, the three of you and Marlies continue to be constantly in our prayers and thoughts. There is truly a empty feeling in the hearts of all our related families at the passing of Marlies. Your mom's laughter, sense of humor and love for everyone will be missed. As for my three cousins, words will never express the proud respect that I have for you for the way you took care of your mom during these months. I know that Marlies was proud and the rest of your family sure as heck was. Because of the three of you, we all have learned awful lot.
On a related note, this past Sunday was Tripp's 15th birthday, and after the kids had gone to bed, Lee and I were in the kitchen talking about your Mom. I was eating a piece of the birthday "pound cake" and I suddenly got tickeled and had a big grin on my face. Lee asked what the deal was and I had to tell her. Everytime I have a piece of Pound Cake anywhere, I think of Marlies. Years ago, I believe I was 19 ro 20, if ya'll remember, I drove to Charleston for my vacation to spend several days with your family. I went in, the first morning, for breakfast expecting what every southern boy does, grits or cereal or bacon and eggs, and sitting in front of me was a big slice of pound cake. I looked at it for a moment and then told her it wasn't my birthday, I just wanted some breakfast. As usual she started laughing.
Those fond memories, and many more, will help heal the many broken hearts that we all feel. Please know that we love you and we are here for you.
Shep, Lee, Katie and Tripp
Marlies won my love and loyalty the first time we met. Her great sense of humor, ability as a painter,her famous culinary skills and hospitality all endeared her to me and many others. ....But her success and skills as a mother have been most obvious as you devoted, compassionate children have cared for her so beautifully this past year. What a compliment to her as a mother and what security and joy you provided her to the end.
May the joy of sweet memories comfort and sooth the hearts of all who loved Marlies, especially her devoted Kimberly, Brian and Patrick.
Bettylane
Marguerite and I loved and admired Marlies since Walker brought her into our family many years ago. We have shared many happy times--she always added so much to family gatherings--we shall miss her presence and influence in our lives very much.
Marlies had a keen sense of humor and I loved hearing her laugh. We shared a little inside joke for years--a silly thing--but we enjoyed it: Marlies, "the check is in the mail"!
Brian, Patrick, and Kim, Your Mother loved each of you so much and we know how your hearts must ache. We pray that you will feel a special portion of the love of our merciful God to give you comfort.Love Rex
hey ya'll, ya know that i'm very seldom at a loss for words,(ask my children) but i am still somewhat silenced by the death of your mom. i still see marlies as i saw her the last time in bv for mammaws memorial. it was a difficult/awkward visit for her but she found reasons to laugh with me. she was always an easy target for a smile. i never imagined i would not see her again in this life since she and brian were planning to come to adam and jessica's wedding just 7 months later. but even then, you were very protective of her(like little bodyguards :) ) and so sensitive to what she was feeling. little did any of us know what genuine, Christ-like caretaking was ahead of you. I'm hoping that my own children will remember your example of compassion and selfless love if i should ever need the same kind of care. i do worry that they may just look at the image of marlies with the beef tongue in her mouth and go no further thinking they can just stick some gosh awful piece of gosh awfulness in my mouth and go on with their day. i hope i have instilled in them the same loving and caring spirit that you showed your mom as you tended to her every need during this past year. now take care of each other. that would be what your mom would want. i'm so glad you have one another, all close by, and that michael is there, too. one more thought...mammaw loooooved your momma and i know how much your momma loved mammaw. she was so good to mammaw and to think about them being together now is quite comforting for me. i guess i'm not speechless after all! it's just hard to find the RIGHT words! we'll see ya'll in a few weeks. you are in my prayers and on my heart 24/7. oh, please know that my house is open for whatever. i'll be in touch.
love youse guys:)
mary dell
Die Nachricht von Marlies' Tod hat uns alle sehr bewegt. Die Welt ist um einen lieben Menschen ärmer geworden. Wir trauern mit Euch.
Herbert, Lotti, Agnes und Sabine - Marlies' Verwandten aus Dortmund
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