Friday, February 7, 2014

TO ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF LOIS (Salmon) PRINTZ, JR.

This is to let you know that my sister died on February 6, 2014, Thursday evening at 9:30 p.m. Three weeks ago, Beverly and I visited with her in Yountville, California, she was in hospice at this time, and all the gathered family knew it would not be long.

The Yountville facility is a type of military post located in Napa Valley; it is spartan but clean with all the services you can imagine. Here Lois worked her magic during the last five years to become the queen of the facility, and the one to whom many of the 1100 residents turned to for care, leadership and enthusiasm. She was the Office Manager for the Resident Council. From her hospice bed, Lois was running for the Vice President of the Council using the theme, “I’m still here!” Three weeks ago it was likely she could win.

Recently, she was elected the chairperson of Toast Masters.

While visiting her during the 5 days we were present, it was difficult to have a serious conversation because of the constant stream of visitors, each with a hug and a kiss while carrying one of her campaign letters.

Lois had a “significant other,” named Ben. They deeply cared for each other. One male resident told me that he had dated Lois and felt they were serious. Then one day, she asked me to sit down and told me that they would always care for each other, but that Ben (93 and still driving; God help us all) needed her more.

All this is very serious. Love life never stops; God help us all.

Her passing leaves me as the remaining Salmon in my father’s line to spawn the future with the Good News for living the surrendered life. In any other way, there is little too left of me to spawn.

For your information, my Memorial is set for Saturday, July 29, 2014 (4 to 6 p.m., at The City), and the following Sunday at Trinity UMC during same time design. You’ll hear more about this soon.

This Memorial is my way of making friends with death. Fighting death is a losing battle. My decision to make a friend of Death doesn’t change death, but it changes me. There’ll be more about this too.

In the Memory of Lois Evelyn Salmon Prints, Jr. RIP

Bill