Lura

Ted is the youngest of 4 siblings. His eldest brother is Ray, then sister Lura, then Steve, then Ted. This is a picture of Ted goofing around way back in about 1986 or 87. This is about the age they were when I met them. Even in this goofy picture, you can see her beautiful smile.

The last few months have been rough, as Lura went to the hospital thinking she had asthma or perhaps even pneumonia, and it was discovered she had stage 4 lung cancer. It was inoperable, and had spread enough that there wasn’t much they could do for her. With medication and treatment, she could perhaps live another year, but it would be a very difficult, painful year. So she decided to forgo these treatments, and try some non traditional treatments instead. Sadly, she did not have a chance to try those treatments either, she never gained the strength, and she died almost 2 months to the day after going into the hospital. She spent some of that time at home with her daughter, and some of it in hospice, and thankfully she was able to talk to lawyers and so on and get her affairs in order.

Ted was able to talk and text with her most days, and was able to see her several times, and they focused on the good memories they had together. The family is devastated, especially her mother and her two daughters. I will remember her most for her quick laugh, her beautiful smile, and her love for her girls.

Ted has some lovely pictures and memories on his blog, here.