After a lengthy downhill slide, Mom passed away Friday morning, at the nursing home, in her sleep. We had known it was coming as she had been failing quickly, so my sisters and I had been spending days with her there. She only slept, but I’m hoping she knew we were there anyway. She was buried next to Dad, on a beautiful sunny day with the white pines whispering in the breeze. I know she’s up in heaven, tending gorgeous flowers that never fade, in a garden with no weeds, walking hand in hand with Dad and her pets playing about her feet.

I’m exhausted from this last week, but promise to get back to you tomorrow for sure. I miss all my Backwoods Home family, too!

101 COMMENTS

  1. Dear Jackie,
    I loved reading how you cared for your mother, you truly are such a good daughter. I am so sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family.

  2. Thank you so much you Backwoods Home family! I am totally overwhelmed by your kindness and caring. From the bottom of my heart, we all thank you!

    Jackie

  4. So very sorry about your mother! Haven’t had time to check blogs til this morning. I lost mine three years ago so share your feelings….But I know your mama will be with you all the time just as mine is! I bought some Jergens lotion yesterday and when I put it on last night memories flooded me of being a little girl and watching mama getting ready for church….and seeing and smelling her Jergens lotion! Likewise every time I make blackberry jelly to sell in my little farm store, I’m taken back to my mama making jelly in my childhood….Your mama seemed to be very special lady….and so are you…

  5. Our condolences to you Jackie, & your family.

    Very best wishes from our home to yours.

  6. I’m sorry for you loss. The loss of a loved one, especially a parent, it one of the hardest things to deal with. My mother-in-law recently moved in with us and I am encouraging my 14 year old daughter to spend time visiting with her Grandma, there is so much to be learned from the wonderful elders in our lives!

    Hang in there.

  7. She seemed like an amazing woman and must have been to have produced such an amazing daughter! You are a credit to her memory.

  8. Jackie, I am very sorry to hear about your mother. You are an amazing daughter and you gave her much joy and love in her latter years. I know how exhausting it is to sit with loved ones, I am certain your mother was aware of your presence and felt the love surrounding her. Let your faith, family, garden and flowers be the comfort and healing therapy you need. I know I feel closest to my Dad, whom I miss so very much, when working in my garden.

  10. My deepest condolences for the loss of your Mom. She seemed to be an exceptional person and I’m glad to feel like I have known he through your writing. I thank her so much for giving the world such an outstanding, and exceptional daughter that the people of this nation have come to love. I truly enjoy everything you write in your columns, the advice you give on your blog, and just the little tips of infomation along the way. Thank you, and your mother for everything. Shannon Carter

  11. Jackie,

    I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

    You have my deepest sympathy,

    Dawn

  12. Sorry to hear of your family’s loss. I’m sure your mom was so proud of your accomplishments. Will keep you all in our prayers. Jeni

  13. Prayers are with you and your family. Losing someone you love is difficult, but we take assurance in the fact that they are in a much better place and we will see them again one day.

  14. Think of all the lives you and your family have touched through Backwoods Home and your blog. Your mother is part of a large circle of family and she will be greatly missed.

  16. Jackie; I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. Thank You, for shearing your Mom with us. “God Bless” Your family! Phil

  17. Oh, Jackie – so, so sorry. There have been some wonderful comments published here – and they echo what I would have said. Sending thoughts and prayers your way…it’s always some of the worst pain to lose your mom. XOXO, Holly

  18. I send you my heartfelt condolences. It matters not how expected death is its never easy to give up a parent. Especially when they are as close as you and your mother were. I’ve been there twice so I know.

  19. So sorry to hear about your mom, Jackie. But, praise be to God, Who has given us the victory in Christ Jesus! What a comfort to know that she is with the Lord and there is no more pain or tears. Now, she knows all things even as she is known, praise God! My prayers for you are that you and your family will rely on the comfort of the Holy Spirit to get your through this time of loss. The key is to remember that this life is just a vapor, and through trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross for our salvation, we will be in heaven with Him for eternity. God’s blessings of peace to you, Jackie and family.

  20. So sorry. I have been dealing with sick parents all winter. What you wrote brings me comfort to know your mom is in Heaven with your dad and pets, where the roses never fade! And she has seen the face of God!

  21. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. For many of us readers and followers of Jackie Clay, your mother has become our mother or grandmother. As indicated by the previous posts, I speak for many that we ache in the loss of a fine woman. Thank you for being open and sharing your life with us, the good and the not so good. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  23. Deepest condolences for you and the family. You’ve been so open in sharing your whole world with us. Thank you for sharing this with us as well. You’ve touched untold numbers of people through the years. Please allow all of us to touch you with a bit of love and sympathy during this time.

  24. Sorry to hear about your mom. We rejoice knowing she is with Jesus in Heaven ! You and your family are in our prayers

  26. Hi Jackie,Through all of your years of including us into your family,through writing about your life,i feel like someone I knew is gone also..You.ll never be too far from her in your memories…I’m praying God’s peace be for you and your family…Lord bless you,Jackie…MA

  27. Jackie, I’m so sorry for your loss. What an amazing daughter you’ve been. I think your mom is pretty happy in her heaven with your dad and her flowers. I have loved all the stories and pictures you have shared with her over the time you’ve been back in Minnesota.

    My thoughts are with you at this time.
    Tauna

  28. Thinking of you, Jackie.

    and wishing you peace.

    and acceptance.

    Loved the picture you painted with your Dad, the flowers, the garden and the pets. Made me hope some of my beloved pets that have gone ahead might find their way to share some of the magic and love of your Mom.

  30. We are sorry for your loss. It is not easy to lose a parent even if it is expected. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  31. Blessings and prayers to you and your family. We all know what it is to lose loved ones. I’ve lost both my parents and healing is a long process as you well know. You have a beautiful Mother, inside and outside.

  33. my sympathies to you and your family. Be sure and rest and take care of yourself- work can always wait!

  35. My deepest sympathy goes out to you & your family, Jackie. I’m sure you took great care of your Mom; now you have to take a little time for yourself. Your faithful readers (ME!) will be here whenever you feel up to coming back.

  36. I am so sorry for your loss, dear Jackie. You are such a blessing to so many people and, by the way you wrote about your mom, I know you were a great daughter. May the Lord comfort you and your family in your time of loss.

  37. Peace to you and your family, Jackie. I’m sure your mom is up in Heaven telling everyone about you, the family and the wonderful farm you have made for yourselves. :-) Take care and know that we’ll all be here when you get back to blogging.

  39. I am saddened by your mom’s passing. I feel that I have come to know her a bit through your blogs and books. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

  40. You have so nicely included your Mom in your blogs for a long time and we feel as if we know her. What a blessing to have spent so much time with your Mom. I know how hard it is to take care of elderly parents, especially in you home. You were an inspiration to me to do all you did, including taking care of an aging Mother. She is in a better place and you were an angel for what you did for her in her last years.

  41. My sympathies to you and your family. I know my dad has his wonderful gardens in heaven and perhaps will meet your mom.

  42. I’m so sorry for your loss, Jackie! The passing of a parent is unlike anything else, and I know you are missing her. I hope you can find comfort in her being pain-free and peaceful. Condolences to you and your family.

  43. I am so sorry about your wonderful Mom. I loved your comments about where she is now and what she is doing…what a wonderful picture to keep in your heart!! Your Mom was an inspiration to you as you are to all of us. You take care and be at peace. No Mom ever had a better daughter. Bonnie

  46. Hugs and prayers for you and your family. I too lost my Mother last Nov. after a month long battle with brain cancer. I love your blog. I go there every day when I check my morning email. You are in my prayers.

  47. We are praying for your family to have peace during this very hard time. You are right, your Mom is in Heaven now and enjoying a peace none of us could ever imagine! Take care of your family and yourself. I am sure she will be missed, as she was loved so much. deb

  49. I was afraid that’s why we hadn’t heard from you. I’m so sorry! But I’m glad you had Will, David, and your sisters there for support. And your parents’ gravesite sounds serene and beautiful. I’m sure they’re watching out for you! God bless.

  50. Dear Jackie…I had a feeling this is what you were dealing with.
    Your love for your family has always come through loud and clear.
    May you and your family receive the help of God in your time of memories and mourning.

    cbean

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