In Memory of My Beloved Wife
Linda Kay Mohr
July 31, 1960 - January 16, 2011
"We were both angels, but with one wing.
We could only fly while embracing each other in our arms."
My wife Linda described herself as being “co-dependent”. To her, this meant she HAD to have others close to her in her life, both physically and emotionally. Linda LOVED people. And those she loved knew it. Linda loved hard. Sometimes she loved so much it hurt. She loved her mother and father Fay and Hank Baldwin, her son Justin and his fiancé Erin, her friends far too numerous to mention individually, and her pets (although not always in that order). And in what was probably her greatest show of compassion, she even loved me. And I loved her.
Many of you know Linda dealt with a rare blood condition that made her very sensitive to sunlight and strong breezes. You know what? Not any longer. She is now free to bask in the sunshine, walk any beach she chooses at 2:00 in the afternoon, or even drive with the windows down or the air conditioning on full. She can dance on the clouds, no longer hoping for overcast skies, or what the family called a “Linda day”.
Linda was a loving daughter, a devoted mother, and a committed wife. Her caring, support, and understanding routinely transcended that which could or should be expected from any normal human being. And she pampered and spoiled our pets, each of whom chose us rather than us selecting them. Our first puppy chose us by, while still at the breeder’s, leaving the litter and curling up to nap in Fay’s lap. Our second as a puppy trailed Linda’s every move around the clinic as manager of a veterinary hospital, eventually following her to our home and our hearts. Their names are Mercedes and Lexus, which I’m sure was Linda’s attempt at a subliminal suggestion I tried hard not to notice. We later added Sierra, a canine Parvo survivor no one expected to leave the hospital. They were all with her in spirit, along with the family at her bedside at her passing.
It is important to our family that we extend our deepest gratitude and love to Jackie and Mike Graeber. Not only were they kind enough to allow Linda and I to be godparents to their two beautiful children, Tyler and Michelle, but Jackie literally spent 24 hours a day at Linda’s bed-side in Seattle during her last few weeks. And the service and reception we celebrate today would not exist without their help. Mere words are insufficient to convey our appreciation. Our family, along with the Graeber’s, would like to invite all of you to a reception and tribute to Linda directly across the parking lot immediately following today’s service.
Allow me to close by paraphrasing a few quotes that may seem cliché. However, it’s heart-wrenching how they seem to have so much more meaning now. People are not remembered for how much money they had in the bank, how much “stuff” they had, how big their house was, or what kind of car they drove. You remember them for the way in which they touched other people’s lives. And by your attendance here and the affection evidenced by the number of calls, texts, e-mails, well-wishes, and even Facebook messages and internet posts, it is clear Linda touched many, many lives.
I will always remember Linda, my beloved wife, for “We were each of us angels but with one wing. We could only fly while embracing each other in our arms.” Linda has now grown her second wing and is warmly watching over us all.
- Excerpt from Eulogy for Linda from husband Ron, Wednesday, January 26, 2011