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Showing posts from January, 2023

One Month

Today is one month since my mother died. Below is the obituary I wrote. My mother was organized. She left a file with notes so someday someone could get the details correct. Thank you, Mom! Carol Jane Elder, 80, of York Township, passed away Monday, December 26, 2022, in her residence of fifty-four years. Born August 2, 1942, in Washington, D.C., to William Samuel Matter and Lydia Maye Matter (née Mullin), both 40 years old. She grew up in Manada Gap, Pennsylvania, including attending Pine Hall one room schoolhouse for grades 1 through 5. In spite of her humble background, she excelled in school. She was valedictorian of the 1960 class at Hershey High School. She earned a full scholarship to Franklin School of Science and Arts in Philadelphia. In 1961 she graduated summa cum laude and again valedictorian. While working weekends and nights at Polyclinic Hospital in Harrisburg to fund her bachelor’s degree, she met and married Barry Jon Elder on

Four Weeks

As many of you already know, my mother died unexpectedly four weeks ago today on the morning of Monday 26 December 2022. Mom just a few days before her death. My mother started elective chemotherapy three days before Christmas. In September, she had part of a lung removed because a tiny spot that had last been imaged 9 years ago had grown to become something malignant. Her surgeon felt comfortable with the margins, but told her she could see an oncologist if she wanted further consultation. Her blood work was fantastic! She was in great health, even at age 80. However, my mother had been on steroids for many years to combat a rheumatology issue. She was prescribed a normal course of chemotherapy, which she received on the 22nd, three days before Christmas. This included intravenous steroids as well as oral steroids to be taken in the following days. She felt fine on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, Christmas Day, she felt nauseated, and sent my sister and me a text m