The Memorial Wall

Darlene Mary Kirshner is finally at peace after a long and difficult illness causing severe dementia. Darlene passed away on October 26, 2010. Darlene enjoyed entertaining her friends, singing, music, and attending and participating in theatrical events. She will be remembered by dear friends for embracing them in her gracious and loving manner. How lucky are the angels to have her join their choir. She is survived by her husband, Mervyn, sons Shaun and Shea, grandchildren Nicole, Geneva, Kyle, and Giles, and sister Dorothy Van Zeyl.

Our family is grateful for all the care, love, and comfort are given to Darlene by Rebecca Wilson, her caregivers at Helena House in Tustin, and Hospice of California. Donations may be made in her memory to Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74-785 Highway 111, #208, Palm Desert, CA 92210. Services Sunday, October 31 at 1:00 pm in the Mount Sinai Chapel, Mount Sinai Memorial Parks & Mortuaries, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles (Hollywood Hills) 1-800-600-0076.

Rosita Fern McDonald was born in Monterey County in California to the county librarian (mother) and a free-spirited musician (dad). She took elements of both to become an incredibly gifted and uber-organized wife, mother and artist. 

During WWII, Rosita married a local Navy dreamboat, Gene Montgomery. After the war, they designed and built their first home in Pasadena, CA - and had their daughter, Paula. They soon moved to Newport Beach, CA the place Rosita loved more than any other on earth. Parkinson's took her life - but not her spirit - at the age of 91.

"My mother seemed to be a bit of a daunting figure when I was a child - in spite of her diminutive stature! She seemed to do EVERYTHING - and do it well. She accomplished more in any given day than most of us mortals could even dream of doing. She never seemed rushed or flustered - but simply confident that if one starts a thing, one will naturally continue it - and finish it - and beautifully! 

"Once, in the midst of multi-tasking, she said, 'I think I should be doing something else.' I replied, 'I'm going to put that on your gravestone!' And so, etched on her lovely urn of ashes, there it is. I am sure she's in heaven right now, completing her 'to-do' list - and mine, probably - and maybe even yours!" - Paula Montgomery

Wah Yew Ong 1919-2010, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, peacefully passed away in Richardson, Texas on July 1st, 2010. He was 91 years old. Born in China, Wah immigrated to the United States. He served proudly in the U.S. Navy and then settled with his wife, Yee "Sandy" Ong in Arizona. They became busines owners and raised their three children in Tempe, Phoenix, and Scotsdale. Wah lived a full life, and he will be deeply missed by all. He was preceded in death by his wife, and is survived by his son and daughters, Gordon, Violet and Jennie, and their spouses; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation is on July 16th, between 6-8 p.m. Services will be held on Saturday, July 17th, at 9:30 a.m. Both will be at Green Acres Mortuary on 401 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74-478 Highway 111, #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Our dear friend, Joyce, went home on June 1, 2010.

Born in Canada on the 156th anniversary of Beethoven's birthday, she had a passion for music. With a contralto voice, her singing choices embraced spirituals, oratorio, operatic arias, and show tunes. She directed choirs, particularly children's choirs. She sang in a wide variety of venues. She joked that she had sung in so many different churches that she was ecumenical. Joyce had a non-stop zest for life, even as Parkinson's disease slowed her mobility.

Her lifelong mantra was "Don't take life too seriously; you'll never get out of it anyhow."

For nearly 53 years, Joyce and her cousin and best friend, Grace, laughed, traveled, attended all manner of events, made friends and volunteered, as they together enjoyed life to the full. Yes, they did work once in a while as well. Joyce's favorite spiritual was Anton Dovrak's "Goin' Home" "Mother's there 'specting me, Father's waiting, too. Lots of folks gathered there, All the friends I knew…. Through an open door…. Goin' home."

Joyce leaves behind a lot of friends who have yet to walk the final mile, but she looks forward to seeing them again, too. 

"Thanks for the Memories!!!" - Grace

Mary (May) Meyer, long time resident of Long Beach and Anaheim, CA, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2010, at the age of 80 years old.

Mary was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and longtime employee of St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA. She was born on May 1, 1930, in Shotts, Scotland, and was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Philip Dolan, her sister, Margaret Kelly, and her beloved husband, Donald T. Meyer. Mary is survived by two loving daughters Diane Meyer Allweiler and Donna Brooks, son-in-law Joseph O. Allweiler, Jr., sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Gordon Leis, sister Eileen McSherry, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dorene and Howard Guthrie, along with numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Scotland as well as her “Child of the Heart” Chriss Storms, and Chriss’ children, Claudia, Megan and Michael.

Mary will be remembered for her beautiful and sweet smile, kind heart, and loving spirit.

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful; he always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone, for part of us
went with you the day God called you home.
~ Irish Blessing

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the
Mary Meyer Memorial at Parkinson’s Resource Organization www.ParkinsonsResource.org

Dr. Myron Lind died Friday, March 19, 2010, in La Quinta, California at age 70 from End Stage Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on July 5, 1939, to George and Sadie Lind in Brooklyn, New York. Myron graduated from the State University of New York, College of Medicine in 1965. In 1966, he completed his internship at University of Florida at Gainesville and then completed a medical residency at Harbor General Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 1970 Myron found his true calling in psychiatry and completed his residency at the VA/UCLA Medical Centers. In 1973, he entered private practice in Van Nuys, California and continued that practice for the next 20 years until illness necessitated his retirement. Myron served his country from 1967 to 1969 in the United States Air Force where he was a Flight Surgeon. Myron collected Medical Antiques.

He enjoyed painting and creating ceramic sculptures and pipes. His hobbies were gardening, tennis, swimming, skiing, bowling and poker. He enjoyed traveling, going to the theatre and cherished time with family and friends. Myron lived with Parkinson’s disease for 30 years, accepting each challenge and reinventing himself to embrace life the best he could in spite of the great difficulties he faced.

Myron is survived by his wife Anita M. Lind; brother, Arnold J. Lind; daughter Courtney Lind Korenkiewicz (Richard) and Lisa Wendy Vuskovic (Sergio); son, Dr. Mark Evan Jaffe, MD; grandchildren, Richard Lind Korenkiewicz, Eli Jerome Vuskovic, and Elizabeth Marie Kastner. He is also survived by Barbara Bradford Lind, mother of Joshua Daniel Lind (deceased) and Courtney Lind Korenkiewicz, and Kara Brook Schmidt, mother of Dr. Mark Evan Jaffe, MD, and Lisa Wendy Vuskovic. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Sadie Lind, and son, Joshua Daniel Lind.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization, Myron Lind Memorial Fund, 74-478 Highway 111 #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260-4112.

Special thanks to the staff of Bella Casa, La Quinta, CA, and the staff of Vitas Hospice, Cathedral City, CA. for helping care for Myron and supporting the family over the last five months.

“The good life harmonizes the elements of love, work, and play.” Myron Lind 1983

Hale Saefkow, age 80, died March 3. Born Nov. 23, 1929.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years, Betty (nee Sawhill). Married Nov. 10, 1950. Loving father of David (wife Kim) and Tom (wife Mary); grandfather of Sara Healey, Jeff, Matt, Mike and Steve; great grandfather of two; brother-in-law of Jeanne and Herm Seitz. Family was always first.

Grew up in Euclid, and graduated from Euclid Central in 1948. Lived in Lyndhurst for 40 years and was active in Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church, Little League coaching, Cub Scout Master (Pack No. 89), AASR, Pipefitters Local No. 120. Taught welding for 17 years. Was a member of Northeast, Lake County and Bay Point Yacht Clubs. Enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, swimming and dancing. 

Survived by loving husband Alvin, children Steven (Brigitte), David (Geri), Risa (Jeff) Leonard, Susie (Stewart) Epstein, predeceased by daughter Elizabeth. Loving Noni to Ashley, Haley, Aaron, Andrew, Adam, Ben (Olivia), Jessica, Nicole, Brittany, Jason & Jamie, great-grandma to Nathan, Katie, & Sophie. 

Beloved husband of the late Sarah died of Parkinson's disease on November 22, 2009, in Royal Oak, MI. Loving father of Sandra Flanagan, Howard (Martha) Kaloogian, and Harold (Sandy) Kaloogian. Loving grandfather of Alexandra and Eric, Meredith and Jack and Alex. Dear brother of Victoria and Gladys. Dear brother-in-law of Charles Ayanian and Ivy Benneian. Harry will also be missed by his nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. with 7 p.m. prayers at the Edward Korkoian Funeral Home, 836 N. Main Street, Royal Oak (248) 541-8325. Knights of Vartan Service Friday 7:30 p.m. In-state Saturday 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral at the Armenian Congregational Church, 26210 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield.

Ann Bodenhamer Martin, 82, made her transition and took flight with the angels on November 6, 2009. We all loved her. We all were uniquely blessed and inspired to new heights by her pure, yet simple way of loving. Our spirits soared as we laughed at her priceless and infectious sense of humor. We all have personal stories to share how she changed our lives for the better. Remembering Reverend Ann B. Martin conjures up a multitude of emotions and memories for all of us; sheer blessedness, unconditional love, heartfelt empathy, and unending wisdom. For 20 years, Ann blessed us as the Minister of Unity Church of Palm Springs. With her positive and caring approach in her thoughts, words, deeds and actions, she encouraged countless people to savor every moment of life with strength and appreciation, a sense of wonder, and a forgiving heart. Even when Parkinson's disease began playing havoc with her body and mind, she fought it head on, openly talking about it, laughing at it, and loving God all the more. Dedicated to the little white church in the desert, Dr. Ann communicated her pearls of wisdom in over 2,500 sermons. And then there were the hugs, over 240,000 of them, with always more to come. Ann's presence and devotion extended past the walls of the church. She built a sense of community within the community, dedicating herself to helping terminally ill patients and anyone else who needed a shoulder to cry on. She spent innumerable hours holding the hands of frightened individuals, assuring that God loved them and so did she. Above all, Ann was a teacher. She possessed the uncanny ability to recognize gifts inside of us that we couldn't see. And she was always right. Full of wisdom and encouragement, her messages were simple: "Decide today to make love a priority. Do what comes naturally and follow your heart. Listen within, forgive yourself and others, and ask for the truth of love to fill your life." Also a gifted author, Ann wrote several touching and awe-inspiring books. Her latest book, Calling Your Angel (SterlingHouse Publisher) has been enlightening readers since the fall of 2007. Calico Families (Pelican Publishing Co.) was first published in 1974 and has recently been re-released after 35 years! Ann's life before she moved to Palm Springs was anything but ordinary. A television personality in New Orleans, she created and hosted several shows, including "New Orleans Bandstand," "Hospitality House," and "The Ann Elliott Show." Also a fashion model, a radio broadcaster, a photographer, a journalist for several periodicals, and the first woman ever to "call the horses," Ann's life has been quite a trip! Ann's final job was perhaps her most important - Grandma. Living in Colorado with her daughter and two granddaughters for the past 15 months, Ann tackled Parkinson's with courage and conviction, determined to leave her grandchildren with the invaluable gifts of compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, faith in what you can't see, and love, always, always love. So, let's open our hearts, wipe away our tears, raise our arms in the air, and give our precious lady that well known, old fashioned, Ann Martin sendoff: Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! We love you, Dr. Ann! We love you, friend! We love you more! It would be greatly appreciated if monetary gifts made in memory of Dr. Ann, be sent to the Rev. Ann Martin Memorial at Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74-478 Highway 111, #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260 or on their website at www.parkinsonsresource.org. Telephone 877-775-4111. Also, all royalties made from future book sales will be donated to PRO. Thank you.