Starting in early December of last year, my mother's health began to deteriorate. She had a valve replacement in her heart the day before the Covid shutdown here in Massachusetts.
She seemingly recovered well enough from that procedure in the following days, but soon began to have other symptoms, which after many delays as resources were directed elsewhere, became evident as some sort of incipient cancer.
She had a long summer of dwindling energy and ability to eat. Pancreatic cancer was taking its toll. At the start of the Fall she could barely keep down the small amount she felt able to eat. Last week we initiated hospice care; the nurses barely had a chance to visit when my mom, late Tuesday night, drew her last breath.
She died here at home. She wanted it that way; we wanted it that way. She didn't think she was dying until the very end, but she wasn't interested in pointless interventions.
My mom's life was a difficult one. She wasn't well taken care of as a young person and maybe someday I will write about that.
The one thing her life demonstrates is that we can repent and find God — and He will bestow abundant grace if we allow Him to. Once she found Him, in middle age, she followed Him. Her faith grew until she prayed constantly, and in her last months I always found her with her prayers, her Magnificat, and her Rosary beads. (Sometimes, it's true, she was “liking” your Instagram posts or watching videos about painting!)
She prayed for everyone and everything, and she offered up her sufferings with a continuous act of will.
I don't know many who would undergo the discouraging events of the past year (and really, of various illnesses including heart surgery and Lyme Disease in the past 20 years) with such cheerfulness and increasing serenity.
On her last day, she told me “I just can't cope anymore” as she vomited every 15 minutes, yet still she listened and prayed quietly to the Divine Office we took turns praying with her. God heard her and at last let her rest.
Please pray for her soul. That is what she would want.
Elizabeth Day Edwards
Dec. 11, 1936 – Oct. 7, 2020
Dixie says
I am so sorry for your loss. She is just inspiring. I am praying for her and for your whole family.
Shannon C says
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.
Elizabeth says
Our sympathy to your family.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.
Feast of the Holy Rosary, what a very special day to be called home.
We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Kate says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother will be in my prayers. How blessed she was to live in the bosom of your family and die there. It is what I hope for my own mother, who is 85.
Jen says
I am so very sorry. Many sympathies and prayers.
Rebekah says
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know we will be praying for the repose of her soul, and for your family’s consolation. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Kristi says
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’ve been following your posts for a few years and enjoyed hearing a bit about your mom in some of them. She sounds like a lovely woman, and we’ll pray for her. I note, after you mentioned her dedication to the Rosary, that she passed on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Rest in peace, Habou. May the perpetual light shine upon her.
Robin Mureiko says
May she Rest In Peace and the beautiful memories that you all share together give you peace. I’ll be praying for you all in the days to come. God bless your heart, Leila!
Michele says
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for your family.
Candice says
Be assured of my prayers for your mom and for all of you. She has been heavy on my heart since I heard the news of her passing. I am so glad she was able to pass at home surrounded by her loved ones. God bless you all.
Ashley says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was beautiful. The pictures you posted show such kindness in her eyes. Someday I hope that you will look at your children and grandchildren and find those eyes and that kindness reflected back. Then, may you feel her love all over again in that present moment. You and your family, as well as your mother’s soul, are in my prayers.
Kathy Myers says
You have my condolences. Eternal rest…🙏
Shyla says
Praying for you all. What a beautiful woman. What a gift to be prayed into her eternal home, surrounded by family.
Nicole says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all. Eternal rest grant into her, O Lord.
Kelly says
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May our Lord’s comfort and be peace be with you all. May she Rest In Peace.
Michele says
These four photographs so beautifully illustrate this post and a life well lived. Don’t they tell a beautiful story? She is in my prayers — as is your family which often finds its way into my thoughts and rosaries. Thank you for sharing so much with us.
Carrie says
I am very sorry for your loss. Praying for you, your family, and your mother’s soul. May she Rest In Peace.
Dawn says
Praying for you all. I am so sorry for your loss.
Blessings, Dawn
Monica says
May God grant peaceful repose to His servant, Elizabeth.
sibyl says
My sincerest condolences and prayers for you and your whole family. I will pray for your mom’s soul. What a beautiful Christian story her life was. May Jesus receive her into his arms and give her perfect rest.
Marie says
Our deepest condolences. We’re praying for the repose of her soul and for your family.
Grace says
I’m sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother, Leila. May she rest In Peace.
angelakobel says
I am praying for her eternal rest and for your family as you grieve her loss. What a beautiful story, to be prayed home to the Lord.
Sheliah Kline says
My deepest condolences to you and your family. May your mother rest in peace.
Elizabeth W says
My deepest condolences to you and your family. May your mother rest in peace.
Jeannie says
My condolences to you and your family. We will pray for her soul and your comfort.
I’ve always enjoyed the snippets of Habou. That lavender she grew!
Leslie says
My deepest condolences. May the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Melissa McC says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
T-ster says
Very sorry for your loss, I am praying for the repose of her soul.
Emily Glicksman says
We are all blessed by your mother’s life. Thank you for sharing her with us. Prayers for her soul and your comfort.
Libby Jane Johnson says
May our sweet Lord bless her soul, and be with all of you now.
Claire says
I’m so sorry for your loss! We will pray for her today. May she rest in peace
Mary C says
Dear Leila,
When I read the subject line, I hoped I misunderstood. I am so very sorry for your loss of “Habou”. I shall pray for the repose of her soul and the consolation of your family. God bless all.
Pax,
Mary C
Karen says
I’ve read your lovely posts for about a year and never commented before. I was very touched by your beautiful account of your mother’s death. I will be praying for her and hope she will soon or very soon be interceding for us all.
Karen says
Sending condolences to you and your family, Leila. May you be consoled that she is dancing in heaven at the throne of grace because she had faith in Jesus’ death & resurrection for her, which is all it takes (see Galatians). Thank you for sharing about her serenity. Praying that my own Mother, at one month shy of 93, also a Christian, will grow in serenity as she faces health challenges, setting that example for our family.
Valerie says
My sincere sympathy as you mourn this great loss. Wishing you the consolation of happy memories, and may your mother rest in peace.
Pam says
Praying for all of you. Thank you for sharing her story so beautifully. Sending much love and many prayers. God is good.
Maria says
What a difficult thing to continue this journey without one’s mother. I’m so sorry, Leila. Praying for your family.
Ann says
I’m so very sorry, and will pray for the repose of your mother’s soul.
Claire says
My deepest condolences. She, and all your family, will be in my prayers tonight.
Ann says
I am so sorry for your loss. Eternal rest grant unto her, O’Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her…
What a beautiful blessing for your mother and your family to have been present with her in her final hours and on the eve of Our Lady of the Rosary!
Such a holy and grace-filled example of what it means to truly love. You and your family are in my prayers.
Amanda says
So very sorry for your loss. I will be praying for her and consolation for you and your family.
nt12many says
So sorry for your loss. Those words are so inadequate at a time like this. May you see God’s hand in the details of grieving, her memorial service and memories with her.
Ginni says
Eternal rest grant to sweet Habou, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, especially the souls of Habou’s departed family and friends, rest in peace through the Mercy of Almighty God. Amen. Praying for you all in our Rosary today, and in the comings days.
Rachel F Travis says
L’eterno riposo dona a lei, O Signore,
E splende a lei la luce perpetua.
Riposi in pace. Amen
Thank you, Habou, for giving us your daughter, and for all the invisible gifts I know you gave privately to the world.
Karen says
Dear Auntie Leila, I’m about to head out to the Vigil Mass this evening. I will say a prayer for your mother’s soul and for you and your family.
SalomeEllen says
I am so very sorry. May God bless and comfort you and your family, and bless her with life in eternal light.
Rozy says
It’s never easy to say goodbye; and no matter when, death seems premature. What a blessing to have had such a mother. Her influence will be felt for generations.
Lynnmarie says
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Betsy says
This post is a lovely tribute to your wonderful mother. I’ll be praying for her and for all of you. May God bless all of you.
Cathy says
My very sincere condolences to you and your whole family. What a lovely tribute to your Mom. No coincidence that she passed on Our Lady’s feast day, esp with her dedication to the Holy Rosary.
Eternal rest grant unto her, dear Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May her soul rest in peace.
Eternal memory
Catherine says
My your mother’s memory be eternal. She will remain in my prayers, along with the rest of your family.
Kelsey says
What a simple, honest, and moving tribute to your mother. These photos are beautiful – especially the last one!
Losing a parent is truly like being set adrift – or, maybe like the sky has changed to a slightly different blue. The entire world as you’ve known it is suddenly different in such a deep and subtle way.
I hope and pray that my death will be as grace-filled as hers was. Many prayers for the repose of her soul and for the comfort of your family.
Amy says
I am sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.
Pam says
Praying for the repose of your beautiful mother, may she rest in peace & may God’s grace comfort ya’ll.
Carly Fairfield says
I am truly sorry for your loss, Leila. Prayers for the happy repose of your mother’s soul. May God comfort you.
Mrs. T says
I have a habit of mentally tucking people into my rosary intentions, indefinitely. Just know, from here on out, Habou’s soul will be included in every rosary.
I hope that offers you some consolation.
Elizabeth says
Memory eternal!! May God remember her in His Kingdom! God’s comfort and strength to all who grieve her! What a beautiful story of her journey of deep repentance!!❤🙏❤
Jo says
Leila….I am so sorry for your loss… what a lovely woman. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord. She is in my prayers.
I remember so well watching your interview on The Journey Home Network, and I was amazed as you relayed how your mother came to Jesus after you had joined the faith, and that you were not raised in a home of any practice.
Well Leila, that story put me on the road to pray for my fallen away, deeply wounded Catholic mother.She is 83 and we are not there yet. But your story was all I needed to hear, to encourage me to roll up my sleeves and get going. My mother is a difficult one…nor does she live close by, so prayers it is….
You taught your mother. Through example. Through witness. Through your beautiful large family. Leila, when God was looking for an instrument of peace and model for conversion, he zeroed in on you and you did not disappoint. Your mother and God are well pleased.
Please do tell the story of your mother. I will read it with an open heart, and ask God how I can learn .
God bless, take care, and rejoice that your work to lead your mother is complete (prayers must continue!)
(I sent you a card, I hope I have correct address and it arrives)
Jo
Catherine says
Praying for her, for you, and for all the family. I am sorry for your loss—it is never easy. His Will be done.
embeier says
Thank you for sharing the story of your mother’s last days. Her steadfastness has certainly inspired me. I do hope you will write more about her when the time is right. May the angels lead her into paradise and may the Lord comfort and console you and all who miss her.
cynthia Dunleavy says
Dear Leila and family, I am so grateful to have known your lovely mother. I had always admired her, her gentle intelligence, her insight and her kindness, but when I spoke with her last she seemed to glow. What I think of most is how much she loved all of you and how very loved she felt by you all. May her prayers continue to bless you and we pray for her and for your whole family. Le grásta Dé.
Cynthia
Luana says
It was always so special and moving and inspiring to read here about Habou – please, don`t stop sharing her with us.
May she rest in peace and joy in loving arms of Jesus.
What a hard and love filled year you all have had..
Katy says
What a beautiful tribute! So sorry for your loss,Leila, but so thankful she was so surrounded by love and had such an abiding faith!
Alexandra says
I’m so sorry to read this news – my sincerest condolences! Eternal memory to your mother! Praying for the repose of her soul, and for strength and peace for you and your family.
Lisa says
Tangible blessings and peace to you during this difficult time. What a beautiful remembrance you have of your mother – the Lord has given you a great gift.
Mignon says
What a comfort it must have been to her to die at home, surrounded by those she loved most here on earth. Our God, in His infinite mercy, loves us so very much and shows such tenderness when we are most vulnerable and weak! May God grant His eternal memory and blessed repose to your dear mother.
With prayers,
Mignon Thurow
Kerry says
I’m so sorry for this loss, and I would love to hear more of her life if you care to share. She is beautiful.
Kate says
Praying for the soul of your mother, for the strength of your family. You have been a gift to so many through your blog and one can only imagine the immense gift you were to your mother throughout her life.
Danielle Lajoie says
Dear Leila, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I lost my mother last year and it is still a “fresh” event in my life. Sincerely, Danielle
Heather says
I will pray for the repose of her soul. Thank you for sharing her life and death with us. Blessed be the Lord.
Julie C says
I am sorry for your loss.
Heather E says
I am keeping Habou in my prayers. Thank you for sharing a little of the story of God’s merciful love towards her. What a beautiful and hope filled tribute! God bless you all.
May the angels lead her to Paradise, may the martyrs receive her at her arrival and lead her to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive her and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may she have eternal rest.
Ann Marie says
I have always loved hearing about your family over the years. I’ve been thinking about you and yours since I saw your post. Thank you for this sweet tribute to your mom. May the God of all comfort bless you all with peace and even joy, as you remember and celebrate her life. Grateful that you do not grieve as those who are without hope….
Meredith says
She must have felt so much love.
My prayers to you and the family. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Idania B. Estrada says
I’m sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Peace.
joan says
I’m so sorry for your loss. God has blessed you and your family with a wonderful legacy. She was beautiful outside and from your stories I can see how beautiful she was inside. Prayers for you all and may she Rest In Peace in the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Kerry says
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother, sweet Leila. I don’t often comment on blogs, but I have come to your corner of the internet and found inspiration and joy on many occasions. The way you lovingly cared about and for your Mama is completely evident through your words. May God grant you His peace in the days and weeks to come.
Nancy says
A loving tribute to your mother….prayers for you and your family.
Sara says
Thank you for sharing Habou with us over the years, Auntie Leila. Our family has been praying for her and for you all this weekend.
Lisa G. says
It’s strange to lose your mother, no matter how old you are. May she rest in peace! I would be very interested to hear her story, if you are inclined to tell it.
Michelle says
May she rest in peace.
Nichole says
May her memory be eternal.
Lord, send comfort to you all.
We lost one of our grandparents earlier this year, she also died at home, and we had the blessing of helping her pass, preparing her body and speaking the psalms over her in the 24 hours following her passing. It will be one of my life’s most cherished memories.
Jamie Gottlieb says
I loved hearing about how you all were so close together. It continues to be a lovely picture of how a family should love one another. I’m praying for all of you. Thank you for sharing about her with your readers.
Candice says
I have been wondering how your mother was doing, and now I know. Thank you for taking the time to share her last story with us. I can’t being to image what it is like saying goodbye to your darling mother, my heart goes out to you and your family.
Laura S. says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Auntie Leila and the whole family. Your mother sounds like a remarkable woman, and she raised a remarkable daughter. I have enjoyed getting to know her through your blog posts. May the Lord Jesus comfort you in your grief.
Joy in Alabama says
Thank you for taking the time to write this post. What a wonderful example to all of us to be cheerful and hopeful and serene until the very end. Thank you for sharing that with us. I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for your comfort.
Karen says
So sorry for your loss. I will pray for her soul. May she rest in peace.
Monica says
My deepest sympathies.
kellymaya says
I am so sorry for the loss of your lovely mother/grandmother.
Anne Marie says
My deepest condolences, Auntie Leila. My mom and dad died this year, too. Prayers for your famIly and Habou.
rstp1977 says
How beautiful. I will pray for Habou, for you, and for your family. May eternal light shine upon her! God Bless you, Auntie Leila. And may she rest in peace.
Sara Burch says
She is so beautiful. May the angels lead her into paradise. Praying for her and your family.
Adele says
We shall keep you all in our prayers.
Nicole says
May your precious mother rest with the Lord and may He comfort you and your family with his infinite love.
Angelique says
I’m so sorry. Said a prayer for her and you.
Ellie says
So sorry for your loss. Praying God’s blessing for you all. Thank you for sharing your family story with us. May she rest in peace and may you all be comforted in grief.
Rebekah says
I’m sorry for your loss. What a blessed lady to be so loved and so honored. Praying you will continue to be blessed as her daughter for caring for her so well.
Margot Brown says
I’m sorry for your loss. Prayer said for your mother’s soul and for all of you. God’s grace to you.
Diana says
I’m so very sorry to hear of your mother’s death. We’ll be praying for your family!
greta4u2 says
May she rest in Peace! Prayers for all of you and for her…..
Victoria says
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Leila. Your mother and your family will be in our prayers.
Melanie says
I’m sorry to read this, and I would love to read her story someday if you should ever want to write about it.
jill says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My mom passes away on October 2nd. it has been very difficult to process all the emotions our family has experienced. I will pray.
Mary says
What a beautiful soul!! I am so sorry for your loss, but wish her a peace and joy beyond our ability to understand — the peace and joy of being fully in the presence of God! <3
Susan Urban says
I am sorry for the loss of your mother, may she be an advocate for you in Heaven. She is so beautiful in those photos, so radiant. May she rest in peace.
Cara says
I have loosely followed you for more than 6 years but never commented. You are my favorite blogger and our family has received many Grace’s from your labor of love. Thank you! I have seven children and one on the way. I sat reading your post last week and sobbed! I am not suffering my pregnancy well but your mother has inspired me to try harder! I have and will continue praying for your mother and I will pray to your mother for her intercession especially in receiving the graces to suffer my nausea for our Dear Lord! You, your mother and your family are such a consolation to me!
appleava says
Prayed for your mother and for your family.
Anamaria says
We are praying for all of you. A swift journey to heaven for your mothe.
Mary Woodward says
Praying for you and your family during your time of sorrow. Losing your mother is so hard to go through. May Jesus & Mary welcome her home and give her perfect peace and rest. God bless you all. ✨🙏🏻✨
Yucchabelle Cote says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for her and your family. I lost my mother to cancer in 2007 when she was only 53 and it is by far the hardest thing I have ever been through. I am truly grieving with you for your family tonight. May she rest is peace and shower you with her prayers from heaven.
Celeste says
What a testament of faithful living and faithful dying. I am so sorry for your loss and will be praying for the repose of her soul. ❤️
Polly says
I haven’t been on your blog in a while and am only now catching up and seeing this. I am so sorry for your loss. The loss of a mother is painful, no matter the circumstances. No one loves you like your mother. Praying for your family–for peace & comfort.
Mindy Roberts says
Condolences on the passing of your mother. Prayers for peace and comfort.