Rest in peace, sweet Ellin

Xmas 2010: Festive Ellin with her devoted son (I don't know why he was barefoot) and favorite canine, who is keeping Ellin's foot warm.

My dear mother-in-law passed away yesterday. She was 94. It was an exquisitely gentle death thanks to merciful natural causes and compassionate hospice care. I helped compose her obituary and was again impressed that she rode a horse to her first job - teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in her early twenties, and was still traveling (by planes, trains and automobiles) until she was 90. We were privileged to be with her - including Lucy the dog who frequented her nursing home - almost every day of her life over the past year. She was always ready with a smile and a compliment, and not once did she complain. Godspeed, MawMaw.