Lois Marie Maynard Smith

She was a Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother and she was my best friend. She was a woman of strong integrity, loyalty and immense strength. Most of her life was spent in a survival mode, which taught me strength and to persevere no matter the circumstances. She believed in me and she is my insides; my confidence, bravery, instincts, loyalty, love and she is my laughter. My Mom was fiercely independent and was so until the bitter end. She fought death until her last breath. She refused to give up and did it her way, holding on until she was ready with the same strength and dignity as she did in life. She kissed us each goodbye with her last breaths and gave us each the last pieces of her heart. Mom, I will miss you so very much and a piece of me is forever lost without you.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of my Mother’s wishes, please donate to The Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org.