I have tried so many times to type and write this tribute but my eyes well up with tears and I get flash backs of all the wonderful memories we shared. There wasn't a day that went by we didn't tell each other "I love You". If Lorraine was mad at me for coming home late from bowling, she would go into her "Not talking mode". Those days it was so cold in our house you could hang beef in there. I knew when it was over because she would meet at the door, hug me, kiss me and say "I love you" three or four times. Once for every day she was mad at me. We grew up together, being married. We had big problems and we stood beside one another to work through them. We were both from broken homes and by God we were not going to let our kids live that same life. In our later years when we could really enjoy our family of three daughters, son-in-laws, and of course our six grandkids that we both cherished, God chose another path for us. Her last four years were spent in a hospital bed hooked up to a ventilator. I worked nights and spent my days with her. Still we were together. She lived those years in that condition because she thought I needed someone to look after me. On Feb. 1st, 2000, my daughter and son-in-law moved into the house to take care of me. Lorraine's job was finished, and, on Feb 5th she went to sleep. Does the pain ever stop? Will the tears ever dry up? I don't know the answer to those things, I only know my love for Lorraine will go on forever.
I love you "Weeeeeehart" every day.
Your loving Husband, Harry.

Saying Goodbye . . .

What's beyond the starry sky?
I've been wondering, I don't know why.
What's on top of the fluffly, white clouds?
Alot of Angels in a crowd.
They await the new comer,
And, as they wait, the graceful soul quietly takes
A deep breath of fresh air.
As she floats up toward up toward the sky
She sends some love and says goodbye
To all her loved ones who sit and cry.

Words cannot say how much I miss you,
But I know you are always with me.
With all my love,
Your oldest granddaughter, Chelsea.

When we lived with you, I would always see you down stairs ready to give me a hug and a kiss. I remember you and I played the memory card game at home, but then you went away to live in the hospital. I miss coloring pictures for your hospital room. I miss visiting with you. Most of all, I miss giving you hugs and kisses. I just miss you, my only grandma...I will love you always. Love, Casea.

Lorraine's daughter, Donna Bey said, "What can I say about my mom? She was, and still is, unlike anyone I know. I can say that for the rest of my life, I will think of her everyday.

I sometimes still feel cheated, especially when I hear of other people talking about their moms. I just smile when they talk, but I think, "You're lucky to have your mom here." She had such a sense of humor about her. She had a character that she always acted, called "Bones Malone" that always brought joy and laughter to our family.

She had such a heart. You could see how big it was through her work as a Certified Nurses Aid. She would always take care of everyone. Mom always had to know what was going on at all times. We teased her and said she was just being nosey. She always replied, "I just care." I remember when I was taking care of her at home one time, after I had given her a bath, when she looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes and told me how embarrassed she was. She said she should be taking care of me and everyone else. I was honored to take care of her. When she went into the hospital and I would go to see her, she would be in the bed with her trach in, and I would take her hand and kiss it. Then I would say, "Thankyou, Godfather, for letting me live another day." She would always smile.

I made a very special promise to her. I told her that when she passed away I would take care of her. When that time came, I was so privileged to be the one to care for her. She got the honor and love she so truly deserved. After a family viewing and service, we respected her wish to be cremated and loving committed to the ocean. I try to go there to visit her. Every time I see a rainbow or even hear that word, I know that she is saying "I'm still here...I know what's going on." (Or is she just being nosey?)

I miss you with all my heart, mom. It is strange that you gave me life, but you are not here to watch and see where my life takes me. I am so grateful that you were able to know your grandchildren and that they were able to share in the beauty of your life. I love you with all my heart, even though I have a piece of it missing...it went with you.

I invite anyone who would like to share their special feelings and memories to add them to this tribute to mom."

Her daughter, Mo, has added:

What do you say about someone who is so important to a young person, and lose so early in life? Not to really have a chance to take back all the things that went wrong between each other. My mother could get so mad at you. But in the end you were always back together not knowing how it all happened. Laughing, talking, moving furniture and just hanging out at her house.

It is so weird not to have her around to see her expressive eyes & touch her hands. It is very odd to watch an old movie with her in it and here her voice. I haven't heard her voice in 6 years. I wish you could have met Ken. He is my gardian angel. You would have liked him.

I am very happy that I got to spend the last days with her. Even though it was not in the place that she preferred, but to let her know that I would take care of dad for her. She would always worry about him, how he was doing, if he was getting enough rest, and not even batting an eye at her situation. She always cared about everyone else and not herself. She was good like that. Mom would be proud of her kids and grandkids. Keith misses you soooo much. When I told him that you passed, it was one of the hardest moments of my life. Kyle misses you, too. He talks about you being in heaven now (your little toe head that you always wanted). I just wish that you didn't leave us so early.

You learn not to sweat the small stuff because life is to short. You learn to take care of yourself as well as everyone else around you. Easier said then done, but true.

I love you mom and I miss you with all my heart. Big hugs and kisses everyday! Until we meet again! :)

Love your MO!

From her daugher, Lori,

dear mom you have no idea how many times ive tried to sit and write this, i guess im still not ready to let go even though your gone. i still cry for your touch, your hand your smell i miss everything about you,the day you left me a part of me went with you. i sometime wish i could come and see you just to know you can breath and are happy , i think about you everyday i have your pictures all around me. i regret not being with you when you took your last breath but when i did see you and you sweezed my hand i knew you were ready and you were going home and thats ok. william&ashley miss you so very much they see lots of rainbows so they know you are with them. i will never stop missing you mom you were my world and now part of it is gone.i will always be there for dad,donna,margaret eileen&marty they are all i have left. i will see you when im old and grey and we will have alot to catch up on i love and miss you more then youll ever know i love you mom love your john!!

Brian Bey, a son in law, has added: Though I have only known Lorraine (Mom) for a brief time in her life, I have come to love her asif she were my own mother. When I first met her, she was in the hospital where we frequently visited her and spent time. We would celebrate her birthdays and holidays right there at her bedside. Unfortunately, she passed away in the hospital, so I did not have the privilege of knowing her outside the boundaries of the hospital. I have come to know what a wonderful person she was through seeing home movies and the many stories told by her family. She was a part of my life, however small, and I will miss her very much. Love, Brian.

My Dearest Sister,

It is 6 long years since we said our Good Byes but not a day passes that I don't think of you. And when I see a rainbow tears come to me. My heart is not the same but we continue knowing that someday we will be together. I love and miss you so.

Your Sister Eileen
Eileen Murphy
sikolady@aol.com

Lorraine,

Another year
So many tears

Everyday my thoughts are of you
Every night my dreams are of you

Will always remember my Sadie
Never forget My sister

Time heals all but not my memories

Love and Miss you Always
Your Sarah

Eileen Murphy
sikolady@aol.com

Dear Mom,
I have been missing you alot latley,I sometimes close my eyes and hope for your smell or your touch, I have had so many questions about the kids and I know you are guideing me in the right direction, I wish you could of known my kids a little longer William is the most compassionate young man and Ashley is a Beutiful and kind young lady. They miss you Mom, but we do see lots of rainbows and that helps comfort there hearts, for a while.You did give me a gift your hands mine look exactly like yours.When I need to feel you I gentley wrap my fingers around one and another and hold your hand Thank you for that.I love you mom. Love your John

Lori Patterson
sonflowermom409@aol.com