Author: David Haldeman

Thursday, October 13, 1983
Painted walls of the new room – primer coat used roller & covered me also. In P.M. helped David & Karen get tickets ready for Altrusa Conference made on computer. Took Karen down to Westin Hotel to deliver the envelopes each girl will get. When we got back David had a computer class on D-BaseII – got too technical for me.

Wednesday, October 12, 1983
[No entry]

Tuesday, October 11, 1983
[No entry]

Monday, October 10, 1983
[No entry]

Sunday, October 9, 1983
Kathi – Mary, Ken & I drove to David’s in van – Dave would rather sleep. Susannah is a doll & slept most of the day. Not much fall color.

Saturday, October 8, 1983
Kathi, Dave & I to Mohican with Cheryl & Terry Knapp. They hiked the Chestnut Ridge Trail while I read the Putnam Co. Blizzard book sent by Laddie Warren to solicit our book.

Friday, October 7, 1983
[No entry]

Thursday, October 6, 1983
Breakfast with David & did 3 loads of washing. In to Mary’s about 12 after picking Dave up at school. David & I went to funeral home about 12:30 & the rest waited for Kathi to arrive. Cheryl Knapp went to airport to get her. Pauline & Harry Jacoby at funeral home when we got there & DOris Stewart came soon after. 9 from the shop came – & shop was closed from 12 to 3. David, Dave, John Fetter & Loren were pall bearers & mother & daddy now lie side by side.* After committment talked to Jim Riddle & he said come in & he would see about a monument for the grave. Monther’s fondest wish. Also gave us deed for it.

Geneva Brewer organized & served a lunch at Mary’s & the Bakers, Gibsons, Dale Heckers & our family (6) were there. Just half of mother’s 10 descendants there. After all gone we went to cemetery & rearranged the flowers & brought some home to give to nursing home friends. Had fried rice for supper. Called Uncle Allend to tell him about the services & since Kathi went to sleep while I was talking with him I called Bob & thanked him for Kathi’s support.

*[in Marion Cemetery along with Trella (2013) and Mary (2006)]

Wednesday, October 5, 1983
Tried to red up the house but not much progress – Took W C Home floor plan in to Mame for Garden Forum meeting today & then picked Mary up & went to Dr. Ginn’s office to give him mother’s obituary. Then to Boyds to give them receipt for cemetery lots purchased in 1960 for $400 so a dee could be issued. To Sutton’s & bought 2 dresses. Home about 1:00 & back to Mary’s with Dave at 4:00. Kathi had called her & she will be here at 12:30 tomorrow. Mother looked pretty but so thin. Had them redo her hair & we put pearl earrings & glasses on her. Many friends came all evening including Harold & Marian Hildreth. David arrived about 7:30 & so good to have him standing by . We went to Isaly’s to eat after9:30 – Dave had walked up to Mary’s about 8:00 so picked him up & home & bed.

Tuesday, October 4, 1983
She was mildly convulsive & they suctioned her lungs & had her on oxygen. Mary decide to stay until 4 & I went home with Ken & slept in Mother’s room & got up at 4 & releived Mary. Mother was calm from a demorol shot & taking an IV but still coma like & no response. I sat by her & just after 7:00 AM noticed her breaths were further apart. Just like Ray before he died. I called the nurses & we saw her last breath. Thewy called Mary & Ken who came down & we went back in. They had straightened her nees so she look so peaceful. We told some of the others at the home that she talked with and then came to Mary’s. Talked to David & Kathi who was at Lee Vining with friends. Went to Boyd’s & selected a pink shroud. To the shop & selected pink roses, carnations & glads for spray. Matching pieces & garland. Started calling relatives & friends after 5 at home. Came home about 2:30. Feeling very lost & empty. Dave only knew she had a stroke so I had to tell him when he got here after school. Funeral will be Thurs at 1:30 with calling hours tomorrow evening from 5 to 9.