Franceska Veilleux

She was so much to so many; A daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, grandmother, a friend. As I look through old photos and keepsakes they speak to me. Like seeing her through someone else's eyes, I take the small nuances I am discovering and weave them in with the mother I knew and the stories she told. What a smart and interesting woman she was. A woman of incredible strength and determination who lived such an inspiring and absolutely remarkable life.

She left us photos and stories of village women in Slovenia, snowcapped mountains, fields of flowers, shady woodland paths, interlaced with sorrow filled stories of the hardships she suffered during wartime. How she was motherless as a young child and lived with those who struggled to feed even themselves.

Passport and forms - coming to the United States at sixteen years of age to reunite with her mother. Learning a new language, a new culture, going to school, making new friends and becoming an American.

I witnessed the romance and love between my father and mother through tender cards and notes. A smiling couple with love in their eyes, laughing and holding hands. Scrapbooks of birth announcements, baby pictures, report cards and graduation announcements. Evidence of years of caring parenting and providing what she didn't have growing up.

Her home is decorated with reminders of her childhood. It speaks of her love of flowers and books. Photos express her love of family. She studied stars and stamps, photography and calligraphy. She thirsted for everything life had to offer and took every opportunity to experience it. She was loved by people everywhere she went. She saw the beauty of the little things and searched it out.

Her last days were surrounded by the ones she held the closest. Filled with loving conversations, tender touches and gentle kisses. On her final day I quietly sat at her side, held her hand, softly stroked her brow and spoke to her of her fondest memories. I saw her for the strong, courageous, astonishing woman that she was, and I was glad that she was my mother.

My mother left us tonight. We will all miss her so very much.

Franceska Veilleux born November 28, 1936 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, passed away December 21, 2016 in Green Valley, Arizona. Survived by her husband Walter, brother Marjan Roblek, daughters Alison, Denise and Michele, seven grandchildren and one great grandson. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society donate.lls.org/donate

Arrangements under the direction of East Lawn Palms Mortuary, Tucson, AZ.