One more funeral... .

by John Berkowitz on Apr 22, 2009 8:32 PM PDT

If you are a regular follower of the blog you may realize that I have had to travel to three funerals since last fall. The first one was to Minneapolis for the father of one of my very best friends. The second was to LA for my 93 year old Uncle. The third was for the wife of my best friend from high school who died unexpectedly a week later while awaiting lung translpant.

This Sunday my wife's 85 year old Aunt Marie passed away after a battle with cancer and we are heading out to Denver early Friday for yet another funeral.

Aunt Marie was an exceptional person who raised a family of ten kids who all have done exceptionally well in life. She was a community oriented person who established the first food bank and hospice in Denver before anyone ever thought of such a concept. She was truly an exceptional person who was way ahead of her time.

The Pope recognized her with a private audience in Rome and a hardy hand-clasp for all her good deeds. They talk about the salt of the earth and how we would all perish if the salt was removed. Aunt Marie was one of those mighty grains of salt who helped hold it all together for the less fortunate in her community.

The long and short of it is that I will be unable to report on the game this Saturday and hope a couple of our loyal readers can step up in my stead and publish your usual fantastic fan posts.

I would much rather be in Seattle but have been involved in a huge development project this spring which has sapped my time. You may have all noticed the result of this with the more or less generic practice reports I have been posting.

So for the long and short of it if you guys could post your impressions it would be appreciated by the fantastic community we have built here.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sorry to hear the sad news.

We’ll keep your family in our prayers.

Work permitting, I’m planning on being there on Saturday and would be glad to pass on some info. I’m dying to see what the uniforms will look like, if allowed I’ll be taking some pictures of them.

"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"

by Lear Pilot on Apr 22, 2009 9:01 PM PDT reply actions

Sorry to hear John...

but it’s always good to hear stories about people who really do make a difference in the world, and it sounded like she was a special person.

I will be at doubledeucedog’s tailgate for a bit on Saturday and attend the game. I’m not much for analysis but I will try to give a report if possible. I might also bring my blackberry along to keep tabs on the NFL Draft if anyone is interested.

by B Money on Apr 22, 2009 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

Sorryto hear john

Much aloha from hawaii dawg

by justicebeau on Apr 22, 2009 9:57 PM PDT reply actions

I meant soory to hear that

John.

by justicebeau on Apr 22, 2009 9:58 PM PDT reply actions

People like Marie

are why I spend my time doing what I do. Although it’s a sad occasion and I don’t look forward to things like this happening, it’s often heartening to learn about the contributions of those who have passed on. I’m happy she lived a full and rewarding life. Thanks for sharing John because otherwise I would never have known about this wonderful person.

by hairofthedawg on Apr 22, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions

johnb, our condolences

We ourselves are at that age where our relatives and friends are departing also. She sounds to have lived a good life. May all of us do as well on this journey.

by prrbrr on Apr 23, 2009 5:40 AM PDT reply actions

John B

My heart goes out to you and your wife’s family.

by bigdave967 on Apr 23, 2009 5:45 AM PDT reply actions

We all have our expiration dates

The older you get the more realize how short life exactly is. I turned 50 this year but in my mind I am really no different than I was at 21 except I behave better for the most part. It is amazing to me how quickly the years add up. Next thing you know I am frigging 80 and Frank Chopp is still blocking funding for a Husky Stadium remodel.

Thanks for the kind words…helping the less fortunate is always rewarding.

I would usually just say that we have to go to a funeral or are busy and leave it at that. However she was a really neat person who did some really cool things for others so I thought I would share it with the group.

Before starting the food banks she created and ran a soup kitchen out of her garage. We are talking late 1950’s and 1960’s. Imagine running a soup kitchen for the homeless out of your garage in a residential neighborhood while raising ten kids?

Denver is an interesting place that has gone boom and bust many times over the years. Even more than Seattle when it was so dependent on Boeing.

by John Berkowitz on Apr 23, 2009 7:24 AM PDT reply actions

My condolences to you and your family John

Sounds like she lived her life to the fullest. I’m sure it’s one thing to read about a person like your aunt, but it’s entirely another matter altogether to have known a person like her.

Breaking it all down though, we are all better people for having her in our world- be it in the mind or in our hearts.

Safe travels to you and yours. You’re a good man John Berkowitz, your wife found the right one in you. She did. Bless you both.

Comer4tide to Nico2.0: "How come I've never heard of any of your random songs?"
Todd to Comer: "Because if you had, he wouldn't listen to it. BOOM. Roasted."
Nico to Todd: "Shouldn't you be off voguing somewhere?"

by BixBeiderbecke on Apr 23, 2009 9:45 AM PDT reply actions