It has happened! Mama died Friday evening, April 16, about 10:32
p.m. Born in 1907, she was worn out.
“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the
Lord!”
Her death was VERY peaceful and without agony.
All that day she felt particularly punk. She had an extra amount of
phlegm in her throat which was very difficult for her to expel by coughing or clearing her throat. And,
though I knew her days were numbered, I had not expected God’s call would be that day.
She called for me about 10:15 p.m. I had been working only 20 feet
from her. Mama had often called for me day and night and often didn’t know why she was calling me. I,
therefore, did not know that this call was her last. I went to her and asked if she needed to use
the commode. She said, “Yes!”
Very gently I helped her to sit up on the living room couch where she
had been resting. She said: “Wait a minute!” She wanted to pause a bit before I would help her get up.
Was she dizzy? I don’t know. But I paused at her request. Then I gently lifted her onto the
commode. That wasn’t difficult. She only weighed 67 pounds.
When she finished, I gently picked her up again and sat her carefully
on the couch. Immediately and in succession, her shoulders jerked. Not like shivers, but like strong
twitches. Then came a sound I had never anticipated. The phlegm in her throat seemed to be blocking her
air passage.
I said loudly: “Mama, spit it out, spit it out, Ma!” But her beautiful green eyes were looking
peacefully straight ahead without blinking. Though not dilated, I knew this wasn’t normal. I laid her on
her left side with her head bent a bit downward in hopes that gravity would help draw the phlegm. I knelt
down and started to pray Acts of Faith, Hope, Love and Contrition, but sensing there was little time, I
rushed through the shortened forms.
Running to the kitchen phone, I called my priest-brother. “Come quick, and anoint Mom.” I said.
I think she’s died. After two more quick calls, I returned to Mama’s side.
I saw that her breathing was nearing an end and her heart was weakly
beating. I knelt and began to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
My priest-brother arrived and after anointing Mom, he gave her the
Apostolic Blessing that carries with it a plenary indulgence. When he said “Amen,” Mama peacefully
took her last breath.
I shall be unsure in this life what took Mama anatomically. She had lost one lung in 1927 from
tuberculosis and due to a lung infection 20 years ago, she had been living on 1/4 of a lung. She also had
an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. But was it a stroke?? a clot in her lung?? suffocation???
I shall learn in eternity. What I do know is that God had a place
prepared for her. And though He took her soul into eternity, He left us the wonderful memories of a holy
Mama, who died a holy death.
She had fought the good fight and kept the Faith. The Crown of Glory
was awaiting her. I’ll miss her terribly! But one day I shall wrap my arms around her
again and smother her with kisses. Then she will say: “Come, sweetheart, and see Jesus!”
I can’t wait!
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in
peace. Amen.