She Made It

As some of you may have heard, our dear mother, Patricia Ann Fallon passed away this morning around 10 AM. Mary, Kevin, Steve and Kathy and I were here; Paul and Tom arrived within a couple of minutes, and Jane a short while after. Colleen had been here over Memorial Day weekend, and will be back to Sioux Falls soon with her family.

One of our hospice nurses, Mary, called us as we were sitting with Mom about 9 AM this morning, and I told her what we had for vitals. She came right over, and in the 10 minutes or so it took her to get here, Mom had begun to slow down more.  By about 10 AM, mom took the advice we had been giving her for a couple of days, and left for Heaven. It was a moment we expected, tried to plan for (how silly!) and had difficulty integrating when it happened.We had so many layered emotions; it was a very powerful and humbling experience, and we were honored to be there with her. 

We are planning so far to have a prayer service at 7 PM this Friday (Heritage Funeral Home), with a gathering at Mary and Randy's (1104 W. 5th St.) afterward, and then the funeral at 10 AM Saturday at Cathedral. The ceremony will be in the gym of the school, because the church is still under renovation. We will have a dinner in the school cafeteria afterward.  Mom will be buried at St. Michael's Cemetery next to Donald. That is just 10 minutes or so away from Cathedral. I will post a map in the morning, with all the relevant destinations. Just so you know, we have to get the final confirmation from Fr. Fitzpatrick tomorrow, but the church secretary said that these times should work with his schedule. Another item: we have not decided yet the order of events following the funeral--dinner then cemetery? Or cemetery then dinner? :)  We may arrange things so that dinner will begin to be served, while those who wish to leave for the cemetery do so. We are sure there will be people who will not be going out to St. Michael's, and they could have dinner and visit while we do that. 
Thanks for your kind calls and visits. You have lifted all of us up, especially Patricia.
Love,
Annie


Kevin here, just wanted to add that when the Hospice chaplain came for a prayer service after she passed, we had a chance to sing a couple of Mom's favorite songs for her giving a final send off, we sang Amazing Grace and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and we think Mom was singing along.

The Friday night prayer service will be at Heritage Funeral Home at 4800 S. Minnesota Ave., in Sioux Falls. It is on the southeast corner of Minnesota Ave and 57th Street.

The funeral service is in the school gym right next to St. Joseph's Cathedral at 5th St. and N. Duluth. You can also park in the school parking lot behind the gym. That entrance is off of 4th St and Summit Ave.


We thank one and all for the kind thoughts, prayers and condolences that have been extended to our family. Thank you to each and all!