Feb 12, 2015
Some sad news…..
We had a great walk on the beach this morning and the sun was shining. The phone was ringing as we got back. It was my sister who asked if I was sitting down. Dad had passed away at 9:25 AM this morning. He died doing what he loved, joking with the nurses. It was sudden and totally unexpected and he did not suffer. I did speak to the doctor and he explained that they had just got the blood work back and that Dad had septicemia so things were looking grave indeed. This was a much better way for him to pass.
It seemed to me that the sky got cloudier and cloudier and the day ended with grey skies. Of course I spent the entire day on the phone and will be doing that for days on end.
The sibs and some of the grans were able to go and say goodbye. My brother held his phone to Dad’s ear so that Colin and I could speak our final words to Dad. He did die in his own room, having been moved out of ER about 11:30 PM last evening.
Dad, as my mother had done, has donated his body to the Division of Anatomy at the University of Alberta in order to help further the education of medical students. Therefore I won’t be flying back to Canada. I will be able to begin my duties as executrix from here. Thank goodness the condo has sold.
Tonight’s sunset or lack thereof.
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Contessa – I met you guys for a few minutes a few years ago on Stone Island while we were visiting Mazatlan with our grandkids. I have followed your blog since the beginning. I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. We will try and stop in and visit with you when we are there the week of March 9th. Again, I am so sorry.
Hola Vicky…..thank you so much. It would be wonderful to see you once again. Just give me a quick email a day or so ahead so we will be sure to be here.
This just broke my heart. My mom passed last September so it’s all like yesterday for me again. My heart and prayers go out to you and the immediate family. Your dad is now at peace. God bless you all…
I’m so sorry to hear this mi Amiga. Sounds like he made the best of every day and brought joy to those around him, even up to the end. What a wonderful example for us all to follow. My prayers to you, Colin, and your family in the coming days and months that you celebrate his life and strengthen your relationships with one another.
Sorry for your loss Contessa. Not easy to deal with from a distance. My father also passed away while I was in Mexico a few years ago.
Kevin
Oh Contessa I am so sorry for your sad news, I am glad that he did not suffer. Although you will miss him terribly, know that you did everything you could to make his last months as comfortable and as happy as possible.
Hugs
Please know you have our condolences. I know that losing a parent leaves such a huge hole, but he surely knew that you loved him.
So sorry to hear this Contessa, I am sure that his is now in a better place and is now hand in hand with your mother. Hugs to you!
Ruth
May the loving memories of your dad bring you peace and comfort. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Love you!
I am so, so sorry for your loss. You have been an exceptional advocate for your Dad. You will see a sunset, a bird, a wave and you will know that your Dad is there with you.
We are sad for your loss and sending our sympathy to you, Colin and your family. Sandy and Rex
So sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Very sorry to hear this sad news, Contessa & Colin. So much love was evident in all you did for him. He is smiling down on you now and he is with your Mom.
A toast to him and a life well lived. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to you all.
Sorry for you loss, but like you said much better to go this way and way not unexpected.
Good luck with your duties.
Saddened to read this. My condolences.
Very sorry to hear about your dad’s death. Some of the toughest times we’ve had was the passing of our parents, Suzette’s father passed away when we were in Mexico a few years ago as well. Take care.
Al & Suzette
One of my favorite writing from Kahlil Gibran:
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Sending you and Colin a big hug and that you know we are thinking about you.
Sending you and your family our condolences. I’m sure your Dad was tired of it all and just wanted to rest…..may you continue to find love and contentment in memories of his life.
We are so sorry for your loss……prayers are being sent your way.
So sorry to hear about your dad – altho the news was somewhat expected – you never really feel ready. Thoughts and prayers go with you now and in the days ahead. I hope we will still get a chance to get together if ever you return to Edmonton.
Oh Contessa…..We are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, our deepest condolences
He was so loved and cared for by you and your family
Take care……get some well deserved rest.
I am so sorry about your Dad. Hugs to you both.
Very sad news and yet I know how much happier your Dad is now. My heart goes out to you and your family. Sending you hugs and prayers.
We just wanted to send our condolences about your dad’s passing. Even though we know it was anticipated, we understand the impact of its finality. He will certainly be with you in spirit.
We send our blessings to you and your family.
OH, CONTESSA. I AM SO SORRY BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY FOR YOUR DAD TO GO. I READ YOUR LAST BLOG TO SKIP AND SAID I THINK AL MAY BE GONE IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. HE FOUGHT AS HARD AS HE COULD AND THOSE LAST TWO PHOTOS YOU POSTED ARE SO GOOD OT HIM, EVEN THE ONE WHERE HE’S SHAKING HIS FINGER AT YOU. HE STILL HAD HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR TO THE END. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS EXPECTED, IT IS STILL TOUGH AS THERE WILL BE A VOID FOR YOU.
IT’S NICE THAT THE CONDO GOT SOLD SO NOW EVERYTHING CAN BE HANDLED AT ALMOST THE SAME TIME. IT SEEMS THAT THE TIMING FOR EVERYTHING WAS ARRANGED???
WE’RE SENDING YOU ALL THE LOVE AND HUGS WE CAN AND WE ARE SORRY THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THIS.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. LOVE TO COLIN.
Oh my. I just read your post. I call it “drawing the Mercy card” when
someone goes without suffering, without it being a long, drawn out ordeal.
You were your dad’s angel, no doubt about it. Bless you heart. I am glad you
have Colin and your girls and the healing sun and embrace of Mexico at this
time. Sending continued prayers and hoping you know peace and happy times
again soon.
Our condolences to you dear Contessa at the passing of your dear Dad .
You have been a very good and supportive daughter through all his trials !
Sincerely , Louie & Katie
Oh, Contessa. I am so sad for you, but also relieved for you. Such a blessing and a curse. As my Mom always says, “there are a lot of things worse than death,” so like you, I am glad he went peacefully. What a great ending, to go while he was surrounded by laughter.
I have been following every post, though I do not always comment. I saw that he had pneumonia, and in fact, I was just thinking about you today, thinking I was going to ask if he was on statins, as that is what they loaded up my Dad with when he had pneumonia, and what we think brought on the dementia. The picture you posted of him recently sitting at the desk, he looked so peaceful and content.
Sending you lots of thoughts of ease and grace, my friend….not to mention loads of hugs!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As you said, it is good that he passed away peacefully. Thinking of you, Gisele
Dear Contessa, thank you for letting us know that your dad passed. It is good to know the details, and that he did not suffer. Please accept our deepest sympathy. We will come by to see you & Colin, Carmeh & Caeli. Take care and Bless you all, love Bella & Carl
Sending hugs.
I am so sorry for your loss, but I think about he and your mom together again. Hugs to you.
Thanks for your message. I just saw it at around 8:15 p.m. tonight. I send my most sincere sympathies and condolences to you and the rest of the family. The passing of those we love leaves such an empty feeling in us, and I am feeling that emptiness right now, even though I am not a close relative. As you know, I only met your dad recently, but I got to know him through my Mom’s, and your Dad’s journey at the Glenrose Hospital, last spring. He has been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of his serious health problems. I am very glad that I got to know him in the last few months of his life. I will carry with me some fond memories of him. I once read a saying that stated that when we lose our parents, and it doesn’t matter at what age, that we feel like orphans in the world. I believe that statement is true, as they have always been a part of our lives. Life without them seems almost unimaginable. Please know that I feel your pain and sadness. May you find comfort in the fact that you did what you could for your Dad while he was alive, and console yourself with the thought that his suffering is now over, and that he is in a better place.
Keep your senses open in the next few days, and I am confident that your Dad will send you a sign that everything is going to be OK for him. That is my wish for you, right now. Be at peace with his passing, and feel the warmth of his love, even now.
Thoughts and prayers are with you across the miles-
Denise
So sorry for the loss of your Dad. So happy for the peace that will come.
Colin, Contessa:
We are sorry the death of the Contessa’ s father.
A big hug for you.
See you soon.
On the other hand, Have you a cell phone Mexican number in Mazatlán (today, in reason a new law, is possible we call to you on a cheap price.
Isela, the boys, Piecito and me.
Sorry to hear about your Dad. He did live a very long life and seems as though he is at peace. Even though you knew it was coming, we’re sure it is still very hard for you. Hopefully, you will find peace as well. You were a good and caring daughter.
Thinking of you,
Linda & Kevin
Dear Contessa,
I’m very sorry to hear about your father.
So sad for you, but what a peaceful way to die. Your parents will be together for valentine’s day so all is well.
You have your own little paradise for finding peace and comforting memories now. Thinking of you and sending you a big hug,
Ena
Sorry about the loss of your Dad. It was a long journey but he is now at rest. Always tough to lose a parent even when it is fully expected. Take care and chin up, the sun will shine again to your lives. Ken and Margot
So very sorry to hear of your loss, Contessa. I know you’ve been grieving all along for your dear dad and all that he has meant to you. You have been a wonderful daughter to him and that must give you some peace. May pleasant memories of him stay with you always and may you have joy in having been blessed with such a special person in our life.
I will only say what I said in my last comment. Your were a good daughter who did everything she could for her Dad. I was not present when my Dad passed either. He had the same rally before death that your father did although my father died of cancer. Your memories are good and and time will make all of this easier. Hugs….Kathy
So sorry for your Loss Contessa!
Take care, amiga. Such a hard time.
Hi Contessa,
We always will miss our parents. Still miss ours and both of ours passed decades ago. Thinking of you,
Michael & Rochelle
Hello Contessa, we are so sorry to hear about your Dads passing I know it was expected in the near future but it’s so hard to hear that kind of sad news even if you think your prepared for this to happened it’s still a huge shock. The only good thing I can see in your email is that your Dad didn’t suffer he went very quickly what a god sent that was for him, you and your family. We want to extend our sincere sympathy and sorrow to you for your loss Contessa and please extent the same to your family. The lose of someone you love is the hardest emotion we can deal with as a human being my heart goes out to you I know you can be strong Contessa you will get through this. Take care Dan and Dianne
Hi Contessa,
Sorry to hear about your Father. Our condolences, and best wishes go to you
and your family. He will be remembered in our prayers. He was a great man!
Love
Elmer and Lora
Oh my dear Contessa, I am so sorry to hear this. Although, we can be so comforted by the way he went. No pain, just laughs and humor. We should all be so blessed. Now your Pop can be back with your Mom. I am thinking of you and praying, for you as you move though all of your final responsibilities for him. I am sure that having such a kind and caring daughter, was a great joy for your parents. Remember that as you go through this process.
Hugs and kisses friend. We will see you very soon!
Renee & Greg
Dear Contessa and Colin,
Our deepest condolences to both of you.
It so sad and life changing to lose a loved one. He will always be with you in your hearts. One never stops missing their parents.
I will never forget his passing either as it was my birthday yesterday.
Our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Peter and Hannelore.
So sorry to hear a about your dad. Our thoughts are with you. I am actually going thru the same thing, my dad has been in the hospital since October and its a day to day thing.
Karen
So sorry to hear your news Contessa. Many hugs to you, Colin, and your family. Glad to hear that your Dad passed away peacefully. Remember all the good times you had together in the days ahead.
My deepest sympathies. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
My condolences to you and your family..may the greatest memories of your Dad be with you always.
Mary