FROM HER SON, JOHN
Who was my Mother, Marie…
First and foremost, I put my heart to paper in sharing that my mother was the single most influential and loving person in my life. From the very beginning she made me, nurtured me, taught me, disciplined me, loved me, and protected me. She gave me the most beautiful quality in life, which is what we all want, and that is to love, and to love deeply. I am everything because she was MY mother. She was and is always my rock, and my foundation for living life when, now, I feel an unwavering emptiness without her. I turn to her now, in these moments, trying so desperately to hear her tell me… “It’s OK.” “I am OK.” Sometimes I feel it, often I still do not.
My mother’s strength was immeasurable. She faced a single mother’s life with both fists ready to fight any obstacle that got in the way of losing a child, raising me and her children, and in later years, consistently and devoutly, her mother, father, brothers, grandchildren, and even her friends whom she called family. She was selfless to herself so that her love could shine on everyone else. I need to read this paragraph over and over because that is the strength I can only tap into these days…
I feel her legacy in me every day when I laugh, when I cry, when I smile, because these are the things that make me keep believing she is with me. Her laugh, her smile, was and is still everything to me.
As a child, I tested her abilities to be a single mother and in being the disciplinarian of two in order to get me on the right path in life. She loved me unconditionally no matter what obstacles I put her through, and there were obstacles.
I leaned on her so much as I grew, mostly because it was just us. I put pressures on her and demanded the attention I craved so much. She obliged all of this, with spirit, might, and a love that only she could give.
Through the values of hard work, persistence, and patience, that she alone instilled in me, I found passions in life, friendships, love, and the ability to show them outright. She supported decisions I made my entire life that have led to a life I know she was proud of— “She was proud.” I ponder that statement so much because to make her proud was the only thing I honestly strived for in life. I always needed to make sure as I went through life WITH her remembering how much that she gave and sacrificed for me that she could somehow say in her heart, “I did that.” “I made my son who he is.” “I am damn proud of what I did.” Though I always heard how proud she was of me, I still hope that she whispered these things to herself in her heart, in her alone times.
She worked too hard, she gave too much, she took from herself, and she took on burdens and worry in her mind constantly about others. Those are things that life robbed her of.
Still, I am the luckiest son alive, because I got the opportunity to share my life, so closely, with my best friend, my first love, and my mentor for life. I got all of the best human qualities from my mother. There is no one that could have done with me what she did or gave to me what I have. I was lucky to have the many years together, in sharing so many memories that I will treasure until the day I can hold her, touch her, laugh with her, and love all my family lost that surround her now again.
All those she touched in some way or another, took her infectious laugh and love into their arms with a sense of urgency. Everyone she worked with, befriended, loved, wanted more and more of Marie. This is why I have created this memorial. I want to keep those memories alive that she built with all of you. PLEASE share in this memorial with all your will, and let her strength let you write about the times you shared. Nothing else in this world humbles me more than the love and happiness you all gave my mother.
She made her entire life about love: her family, her children, her friends, her compassion and caring, and her heart of kindness to all she touched.
My Mother’s Kind of Love is with ALL OF YOU, and I am so thankful you were part of her life to make her as happy as she was around you. All of her stories of your lives together live on in me; and in this memorial will forever be our spot to love her, honor her, and remember her legacy of LOVE AND GIVING.
My mother and I shared a very special song, that is more powerful now than ever before… Below are the words, and I hope the next time you hear it, you will think of my mother, because it was everything to her and I, but if you listen closely, you her family and friends, she echoes this to you.
“For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I’ll be forever thankful baby
You’re the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who saw me through– through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me, MA”
I love you always.
Your Son,
Johnny
FROM HER DAUGHTER, DIANA
Hello and welcome to a place where you and I can share our stories and memories about my mother.
Marie, A.K.A “ Dolly “
First let me say that my mother is the most selfless, caring , loving person I have ever had the privilege to influence my life. A lot of us might say “ My mom is the best!“ When I say these words, I truly mean them from the depths of my heart. Mom has always cared for and loved people with her whole heart and soul; especially her children. I can honestly say mom made it her life’s mission to make sure her children were happy and healthy. Not a day would go by that 1 ,2 , or 5 of us weren’t in one of her conversations with someone, and I am so sure many or most of you know that about Mom. So many memories that make me so grateful and thankful for her but one of my favorites is: when any holiday rolled up throughout the year, Mom would check the TV listings, tell us what was on and what night i.e.: Wizard of Oz, Christmas specials, or The Ten Commandments, and she would watch every one of them with us.
I will always hold those times dear to my heart because it was only for us ; Mom and her kids and she kept it “our tradition“ for many years. She also loved taking us to the beach, which I believe grew my love for it. I remember every time we went, I would scour the sand looking for more pieces to my collections of shells and rocks. I would collect so many and Mom would have so much patience with me while I had to show her every single one but she sat through it just to make me happy.
Growing up, it was only Mom taking care of us and believe me, that was a very hard job! She tried so hard to make each of us happy taking care of each of our individual needs or wants. Mom worked harder than anyone should have to, keeping 2 or 3 jobs at any given time but she always made time for her children and her friends. She had friends everywhere she went, lived, and worked. There were so many people she met and made happy through her life journey, always helping someone whether it be advice, just listening or opening our home to someone in need friends or family, never expecting anything in return. She just loved “Giving” more than anything. I’m proud to say, my mother gave my brother Johnny and I the most precious gifts she could; her complete being and teaching us how to have an open heart through demonstration.
Thank You for sharing my memories .
We look forward to mom’s friends and family sharing your memories !
Diana Marie Doucette
Mommy, I miss you every second of every day
and will continue to honor your memory and
celebrate your life until my last breath when
You welcome me once again!
I Love You!