Medical and Funeral Expenses for Sally Lakeman

The Lakeman/DuBois family regret to share that Sally Lakeman—beloved daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, and friend—tragically passed away on April 26, 2023. Sally experienced a medical emergency on Wed, April 12th and was taken by ambulance to Bartlett Regional Hospital. Swift care quickly revealed that Sally suffered an aortic dissection and showed signs of a possible stroke on her left side, yet she was alert, conscious, and able to communicate. Her husband, Skip, and children Matt, Chad, and Andrea were able to be with her and exchanged I love yous before she was medevaced hours later to University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Matt, Chad, and Andrea all flew down the next morning, while Matthew and other family members remained in contact and informed via a large family group text.

Sally underwent open heart surgery and vascular repair. She was given 50/50 odds of survival—50% survive and recover to live full lives and of the remaining 50%, 30% die during surgery, and 20% die post-op. The surgeons were amazed Sally even made it to Seattle, let alone beat the 30% odd to survive the surgery. Her heart was able to be repaired and was healing. Unfortunately, Covid pneumonia severely impacted her lungs and required continued ventilation and sedation and she displayed additional signs of stroke. As her lungs improved, follow-up CT scans and MRI were completed and revealed extensive damage to multiple areas of Sally’s brain caused by stroke and oxygen deprivation. She showed little to no sign of improvement as her physical body suffered continued setbacks with more likely complications for the foreseeable future and very little chance of regaining any form of meaningful existence and interaction. Sally was visited by numerous relatives and loved ones to share their love and say goodbyes. She passed peacefully, with loved ones at her sides, listening to some of her favorite music.

If there’s one thing mentioned most often about Sally, it’s that she loves fiercely with her whole heart, soul, and being. Sally knew hard times and survived tragedies that only fueled her generous heart to help anyone she could whether it was to share what funds she had, or to make a batch of her famous chicken and dumplings to cure what ailed, or to offer to teach a friend to drive. She did it. And in her death, as an organ donor, Sally’s corneas were able to give the gift of sight to two people who have been waiting for the chance to see again. Nothing would have made her happier. She lived her life to love those closest to her, those she added and those who joined her extended and blended family, and truly, everyone she met along the way. Ask anyone who knows her or has ever been through her checkout line at Safeway or has experienced her shouting her signature “HIP” across the store to get your attention. She never missed an opportunity to share how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. And her son Matt said it best when he told her that if love was all that it took, she would have walked out of that hospital with us. She knew she was loved in every moment of her fight.

The family has been surrounded by loving support, prayers, thoughts, and well wishes along with offers and requests for how to help. It has been humbling to be in the position of receiving and the family recognizes the love that comes with meals provided, cards sent, and any other support offered. Therefore, this platform provides an additional option for those who are interested—any funds received will defray expenses for burial, celebration of life, travel and medical expenses, and supporting Sally’s family through this sudden and devastating transition.