Obituaries are pretty basic and most follow the same format.  Name of deceased, date of death, names of beloved family and friends, time of welcoming visitors at the funeral home as well as information for the service and internment.  Some include a few endearing words like “loving father” “beloved Nana” and some list many impressive life achievements of the deceased loved one.

Reading the obituaries is not something I usually do, but I was looking through the paper the other day and my eyes were drawn to an older photo of a lovely, stylish young woman in her 30’s or 40’s.  I am not sure why I started to read her obituary, but I am so glad I did!

I have never read an obituary like this and I just have to share it!  I omitted all of the personal details such as where she was born, names of family and friends and information about the celebration of life and internment. I also changed her name to protect her identity.

Betty was 76 when she died peacefully, surrounded by love…..

“Betty personified beauty, grace and glamour her whole life.  She was sassy, whip smart, and had a memory like a steel trap (seriously, the woman never forgot anything). She was also absolutely hilarious (despite never actually trying to be funny), and she was perhaps at her best when her silliness caused her to dissolve into fits of giggles and laughter. There are far too many funny Betty stories to recount here, but a favorite is her insistence that if the Disney cruise the family had booked for a week lacked either alcohol or a casino, she would be jumping overboard and swimming back to shore (and she was only maybe 10% kidding).  She adored clothing, makeup, perfume, music, chocolate covered cherries, and a good vodka tonic. She was a phenomenal cook, and she enjoyed doting on her loved ones by whipping up specially requested meals.  Her butter beans, in particular, were nearly as legendary as she was.”  

“In honor of Betty’s memory, the family asks that you enjoy a toast (preferably with vodka) and tell someone how lovely she was (which she never, ever tired of hearing).  In lieu of flowers, tributes can be made to Talbot’s, QVC, or the Home Shopping Network, all of which were grateful beneficiaries of Betty’s love of shopping for many years.”

“There will never be another like Betty.  Her family misses her very much and is fortunate to have had her.” 

At first I wasn’t sure what to think when I finished reading. Was this really an appropriate way to announce her death to everyone? It did not not take me long to come to my decision that this is one of the best tributes to someone I have ever read in an obituary.  Whoever wrote it must have loved her much and known her very well.  After reading about the type of person she was, I am sure she would have loved the way it was worded.  What do you think?