It's been a hard week, saying final farewells to my mom, and because of COVID concerns, doing so via Zoom.
She was a remarkable woman. A little about her...Born in Chicago in 1922, she spent her childhood and much of her adult life in the Chicago metropolitan area. She married Jack L. Raphael in 1946. She was active in the Jewish communities in Chicago, Albuquerque, and Colorado Springs through her work with Sisterhood and Hadassah and in community libraries through their book club programs. She volunteered throughout her life, from helping shelter dogs become more adoptable to work supporting museums of art. She loved the arts, from theater to music to the visual arts. Jean and Jack founded Raphael’s Pharmacy in Harvey, IL, a forerunner in providing surgical supplies, supporting residents in the area for 40 years. She herself summed up her life in one of her last conversations, indicating that she felt ‘lucky’ to have lived the life she did.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mum sounds like such a remarkable woman, with such a giving and loving heart. May she always be in your heart. Much love.
So sorry to hear of your loss, particularly hard in these strange times. Your Mom sounds like a remarkable woman and someone to remember with both love and pride. Thinking of you.
Sounds like she had a very full and caring life. Sad times, but she gave so much to others through her life, and spread joy far beyond her close family and friends.
A time of sorrow, but also a celebration of a life so well fulfilled.
So sorry for your loss, Taffy. What difficult times these are. This is a lovely tribute to your Mom - know she is proud of you. My prayers are with you
What a wonderful sentiment Taffy for your Mom to have that she felt lucky at the life she had led. A comforting memory for you and one of many I am sure of your dear Mom that you will treasure. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. A beautiful tribute.
A life well lived. That's the best way to have our lives characterized. I know loss is always hard, and made more difficult because of Covid. Take care of you.
You must feel very proud to be able to write that tribute Taffy. A wonderful woman who filled her life helping & caring for the people around her....a fitting tribute for all the building bricks of her life.
So very sorry, no matter how old we are when we lose our mother we really feel on our own....thinking of you.
I know how awful it is losing your mother and my heart goes out to you. This is a wonderful tribute and your mother sounds like mine - someone who gave so much of their life in helping others. A fantastic tribute to her.
Oh, Taffy, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mum sounds like a very special lady, and you too were 'lucky' to have her as your mum. A life well lived is as good as you can get. Big hugs. xx
So sorry to hear of your loss, Taffy. You've referred to her many times throughout the years on 365. Your wonderful memories will keep her with you always.
Heartfelt love and condolences to you and your family. Loved reading her mini bio, a super insight into a woman of character with such a helping heart. Deepest love with you today and in the days and weeks to come.
Such a beautiful tribute to your mom. Words always seem so inadequate in times like these. May all your memories and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom of blessed memory. She was fortunate to have had a long and active life. Her activities reminded me of my mom who passed in 2014. She was also active in Hadassah and sisterhood and dearly loved the theater and music. How lucky we were to be their daughters.
So sorry to come looking for you and find that you have suffered such loss in such difficult times. Lovely to read your tribute here and to spend a moment getting to know something of your mother, as it were. Take care.
I thought I had missed seeing you recently and now I know why. My heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family on the loss of such a wonderful lady. Now I can see where a lot of your talent comes from having had her love for the arts and all of life influencing you as you grew up. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow but hopefully you will find strength and comfort in your loving memories of your mom too.
Not logging in so often to 365 currently but do try to catch up when I do. So sorry to hear of your loss. She certainly sounds like a wonderful and remarkable woman who clearly touched so many lives in a meaningul way. Take care
A time of sorrow, but also a celebration of a life so well fulfilled.
Arohanui x
So very sorry, no matter how old we are when we lose our mother we really feel on our own....thinking of you.
Nice tribute, my thoughts are with you
I lost my father three months ago, having to farewell them via zoom just makes it so much harder.