Lynn Shaffer's Memorial Fund

Hello everyone,


It pains me more then I can express, but my beautiful Mommy passed in the early morning hours of May 13th this past week. It was unexpected and quite a shock to me because she had been doing well and was in great spirits. What made matters worse is that it was the day before Mother's Day and I had a wonderful get-together planned for her. I still haven't entirely grasped the fact that she's gone and find myself periodically picking up the phone to call her and wandering into her bedroom. The grief is unbearable at times.

When my Mom was first diagnosed with Cancer, I never expected to lose her just 8 months later. She did the routine Radiation and Chemo to the point where she just wanted to forego it all in lieu of the side effects, which she was hospitalized for several times. I respected her wishes and when she stopped treatment she improved dramatically.

That being said, we decided it was time to bring her down from Brevard, NC over to my home in Florida, where I could be with her full time. We had so many people in Brevard reach out to help us that i couldn't count them all- it was an amazing blessing to us both!! And thanks to ALL of your kind hearts, we were able to pack her things and move her down to Florida and into her new "tropical" lifestyle where she enjoyed gardening, bird watching and petting bunnies.

I hadn't lived with my Mother in quite a few years, but believe it or not, she ended up being an absolute joy to live with! Who wouldv'e thought?! She never complained or cried...she just smiled a lot! And laughed a lot too! It was a tremendous relief having her with me under the same roof after having gone through so much with her recently. I looked forward to cooking for her every day and had many weekend BBQ's that we enjoyed together. It was a wonderful respite having her with me and I truly loved every moment.

I miss her sweet voice and our morning routine of coffee and birdwatching (I took all of her birdfeeders from NC and we had droves of birds, especially blue jays!). It was a simple moment of happiness we had together everyday. I'm so THANKFUL I was able to spend this precious time with her! It was an incredible gift to me!  And when I tucked her in for the last time, I didn't see the end coming,  I really didn't. And I still can't believe she has passed. She went quietly in the night...very quietly. I never heard a sound. I was the last person she saw and touched. And I know SHE knew that I LOVED her with all my heart. She was the sweetest, kindest and most loving soul I've ever met.

Unfortunately, my Mother never seemed to aquire anything material in her life, I think she was always concerned with more spiritual pursuits then anything else. Now, due to her medical bills piling up and constant care she needed at the end, I have very limited resources. I've taken nearly 6 months off of work to care for her and I do not regret a moment of it... However, my bank account does!

What I'm asking for is help to cover the costs of her Memorial Service.  I am having one locally here in Florida but I would love to have a second one in Brevard, NC for all of her Co-workers and many friends to attend. She has a core group of amazing people in Brevard. Not only did they help bring her food and take her to appointments while I was away, they also made it possible for her to live with me! They showered her with food, gifts, cards, hugs and kind words of support and encouragement. I'm still blown away by the complete and utter selflessness and absolute adoration they bestowed upon my Mother. It was a collection of miracles performed by everyday people and my gratitude is ENDLESS!

I am not posting a goal amount because i really don't know what it is...it's anything!! And everything received would be allocated towards her Memorial and accumulated care expenses. I think it's clear that I don't have anything left after this year and I would just like the chance to Memorialize my Mom in a way that she deserves.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to share our lives with you!!!!

Lovingly- Kimberly Wendell