Jabberwocky for 2006 May 5 (entry 1)

(3) Fri May 05 2006 18:03: From an email sent by Alyson today to the Molly Bluestocking list:

I have sad news. Frances passed away peacefully today at around 1:30pm. She has had a rough week, beginning on Friday, April the 28th, when her body began rejecting the TPN. She was removed from that on Sunday, and Hospice came on Tuesday to begin her morphine medications. Her body became more restful after that, but her mind refused to slow down. She had been incredibly alert and lucid all through the week, and last night, at around 12:00 am, she said she could no longer tolerate the drawn out nature of her dying.

We have been writing down many of our conversations, and this is what she said to my mother, Anne: "Nobody has come for me. I have discovered, this is a pretty big blow for me. I have always been able to accomplish what I need to by myself. Maybe if you prayed, I could be strong enough." My mother responded that she's heard a person has to ask, in order to finally die. At that time, Frances asked that we invite the bishop to see her. He arrived around 12:30, and sat with us as we sang hymns to Frances.

We first sang "Redeemer of Israel." Bishop Davis asked, "Do you want another song?" Frances said yes. Bishop asked "Do you want us to pick?" She said, "Well, I was just thinking. . ." She paused, and Bishop said, "That's a dangerous thing to do." There was another pause. Frances said, "If we sing another song, we'll be out of ammo. . . I have to do two more." We sang "How Firm a Foundation," Leonard requested "Master, the Tempest is Raging," "Abide with me 'tis eventide," and "Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy" (which was sung at Franny's dh's funeral and at her father's funeral).

After all that singing, we settled Frances into bed, and Bishop Davis gave her a blessing. He promised her that the veil would become thin, and she would see all the people there ready to receive her. She slept all night and all morning, and passed away sometime in between 1:15 and 1:30 when we were out of the room.

She loved her Molly friends. Her room is decorated with cards and flowers from many of you, and she has been touched with the thoughtful things that you have sent her and her family.

Here is another conversation from May 4th.

Anne (my mother)"Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo."
Frances: "Better not go out."
A: "Why?"
F: "Its wild out there. Everybody is crazy. If you have to go out on a desperate mission to save France, be prepared."
A, teasing: "Maybe you'll die on Cinco de Mayo. Make a lot of commotion."
F: Yes.
A: "But if you wait, you could die on Mother's Day."
F: "That would be a kick in the pants."

I'm glad Frances had a good week with us, and she was Franny to the end. She didn't miss a beat.

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Comments:

Posted by Paula at Fri May 05 2006 18:08

Please pass on to Bishop Davis that I think he's a very great guy, showing up at that time of night, and being witty and comforting. I am so sorry for your loss, and sorry that you won't have Frances in your lives anymore on this side of the veil. I know she's in a better place, and I'm glad to have her out of the torment that she lived with here, but will miss her greatly.

Please keep us updated on the services, although most of us Mollies live too far away to attend.

Posted by Marianne Morse at Sat May 06 2006 16:09

I thank you for sharing some of your week and your last night with Frances. She has been a special friend and although I haven't seen her for a couple of years, I, too, feel a loss knowing that she isn't here. She was special to me when we taught together at Chipman and remained a friend after that. I have loved her blog and have read it daily for a long time now, being entertained and amazed by her wit and her observations and ability to put them into words so well. I was afraid it would just stop one day without any explanation so I am truly grateful to those of you who are posting here and giving not only information but also some closure. God bless you all.

Posted by Alyson at Tue Jun 06 2006 09:58

I miss you, Frances!