Our friend just passed...

[azasadny]

Many of you saw my thread where I posted pictures of my friend's father's 1965 Thunderbird convertible and I mentioned that we have been visiting our friend 's mother since she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. We have been taking Daisy our 4 year old Golden Retriever to visit Artemis every 2 weeks or so and she was actively fighting to stay alive until a couple of months ago. The family accepted her prognosis and contacted hospice (at our urging) and she was able to stay at home and passed away at home just an hour ago.

I've know Artemis and her family since 1977 or so and they have been more like family to us than friends. When Beth and I married back in 1987, Mr and Mrs N paid for the wedding rehearsal dinner at a local Greek restaurant (she is Greek, he is Armenian) and included all out-of-town visitors, etc... It was pretty lavish and they paid for it as a wedding gift to us.

When I was in the Navy (1982-1991), I would stay at their home in a guest room until Beth and I married, and then we stayed with Beth's parents when we both came home for Christmas each year that we could.

We will miss Artemis and we are concerned about Mr N, so we'll keep in close contact with him to be sure he's OK. Mrs N took care of Mr N and this will be the 1st time in his life that he's been alone. This will not be easy for him...

My buddy, who is their son is like a brother to me and our son works part-time for him at his ice rink. My friend has two young boys and they will miss their grandmother. My friend just went through a horrible multi-year divorce and he lost just about everything (house, boat, toys, etc...) and his mother's death will hit him harder then he thinks it will...

Beth and I will do everything we can to help... that's what friends are for. Because our friends are Greek and Armenian Orthodox, there will not be a funeral service at the church until after the Orthodox Easter (next Sunday), so that delay will also make things difficult, I would imagine...

[Rikao4]

so sorry Art..
they do sound like family..
gonna be real hard on the one left behind..
these folks live for each other & to do good..
when one goes..
the other often adopts..
what's the point attitude..

Rika

[vash]

sorry Art.

i wish the family and friends the best.

[944Larry]

Sorry to hear it Art. They've got a good friend in you.

[azasadny]

Thanks guys! Cliff, I know you just went through this, so you know exactly what it's like. At least she is not suffering any more, although the hospice staff did a good job is providing pain management. Now the pain is experienced by those left behind...

[Seahawk]

The details in your post, the give and take, the gifts given and received, lives lived, makes me smile for you and Artemis.

You are quite something, Art.

[Oh Haha]

Sorry for your loss, Art. She sounds like a very caring person.

[azasadny]

Thank guys! She was a very special lady. When I was trying to rent an apt in San Diego, the landlord told me she wouldn't rent to me because I was in the military and she didn't rent to military people because they were "trouble". I asked her if she was Greek and she was. I gave her Mrs N's name and phone number as a personal reference and she called her on the spot and they started talking (yelling) in Greek. After a few minutes, the landlord looked at me and said "you can move in, no security deposit" and that was it. I don't know what Mrs N told the landlady but she was very persuasive!

[speeder]

That's a great story. You and your circle of friends really sound fantastic. I guess the only happy thing to take away from her death is that when you're lucky enough to spend life with great people, it hurts a lot when you lose them. Consider the alternative...

[GLASEM]

Art......our condolences

[oldE]

Art,

So sorry to hear of your friend's passing.

They say you choose your friends (but are stuck with relatives). I must say these folks sound like the kind of friends any of us would be happy to choose, (love the story about renting the apartment from the Greek lady).

All you can do is be there for your friends, which you know, as there is no such thing as grief intervention. It will come and will be dealt with by each of us in our own way.

Thanks for being there for them.

Best
Les

[svandamme]

that's rough.. my condolences.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The details in your post, the give and take, the gifts given and received, lives lived, makes me smile for you and Artemis.

You are quite something, Art.

+1 on that. Sorry for your loss Art.

[Shuie]

Sorry for your loss. RIP

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Art,

Sorry for the combined families loss! Sounds like she was really something, a very wonderful person! Keep the memories close to heart, she will always be with you.

God's Speed Artemis!

[Danimal16]

Art, thanks for sharing, sorry for the loss of a very important person. Let Mr. N know that we are all with him in this time. My Dad went through the same thing, he is ok but sure misses Mom.

[crustychief]

I am sorry you lost Artemis, My condolences.
Regards,
Sandy

[Joe Bob]

Τα συλλυπητήρια μας για το πέρασμα των Artemis.

[azasadny]

The visitation at the Greek Orthodox church was today. I arrived at 1:45 and left at 7:45 and Beth and I had a nice meal with some high school friends and wives. It was nice seeing old friends and sharing memories of Artemis, it's just hard to imagine her not being with us...

Tomorrow is the funeral, Beth and I will be there, then for the "Mercy Meal" afterwards. I don't think we'll go to the graveside as we have to play in the worship band at church this weekend and we have band practice tomorrow evening. I haven't been asked to be a pall bearer as there are plenty of strong male relatives. I'll take my migraine meds with me in case the incense triggers one of my headaches, like it did the last Greek funeral I attended.

Our friend and his father did well today but there will be tough times ahead for them. We'll be at Mr N's house quite a bit, helping him with the house, pool and yard and we'll bring Daisy (our Golden Retriever) to cheer him up. I'm going to restore Mr N's vintage Charmglow BBQ grill for him as he loves to make shish kebab. We'll do our best to keep him busy!

[Rikao4]

whatever she told that landlord...
it was true..
and while this is a rough patch for all ..
I can't help but feel you & that crowd are blessed..
this is what $ cannot buy..
love & caring for one another..

Rika