I would like to thank everyone for their kind words about my mother, offers of support and prayers. In particular, I am so grateful for my village, both near and far, that has stepped forward to help my family as we both grieve and make final arrangements. There have been so many questions and I have relayed the details so many times that I am quite emotionally drained, so please forgive this mass update and understand that, although I wish I could, I cannot respond to each of you personally. Please know that your heartfelt wishes are well-received even if I am silent. Many have asked for details surrounding her death, so I will do my best to share what information I have received. Much is third and fourth-hand, passed through contacts on the ground overseas, and my attention to detail wasnt great as I processed the news. My mother’s death was sudden and unexpected. Most that know her know that she was happily checking off a bucket list item: going on an African safari. A day or so before she was to return home, she developed severe abdominal pain and sought medical treatment. She was seen at her hotel in the Serengeti and the decision made that she should be taken to a hospital in Nairobi for further testing. She arrived there and was responsive but her condition worsened quickly. While her decline was fairly rapid, she did not suffer. They were finally able to determine she had developed hemorrhagic pancreatitis and went into septic shock, which began causing her organs to shut down. Largely, she was sedated and on a ventilator so, while she was unresponsive to treatment, she felt no pain. In less than 24 hours, she had passed away. Please keep in mind that I have no additional information to offer beyond what I share now, so I cannot answer more detailed questions. I respectfully request that you be mindful of the tone and subject of your questions and comments on her Facebook page or via my email, because I would like to share the many wonderful posts of how she was loved by and positively impacted so many with my children, her grandchildren. In particular, please refrain from asking for more specific information about how she died etc., either directly or via social media, as we find this upsetting during this difficult time. I hope you understand and respect our wishes. I am in the process of making arrangements to bring her home. While her wishes were that there would be no public funeral, she was loved by so many that I hope to have an informal memorial honoring her life in California and anticipate a private family burial in Maine (near her sister). There are many logistical hurdles that will take time to sort out, but once I have information on any final arrangements, I will share it. For those that have asked how I can be reached, for now you may use my email: nbpoirier@hotmail. I plan on traveling to the Bay Area soon and, once I know where I will be staying during the coming weeks, I will share my address for those that have asked to send cards. It is both my and my mothers wish that no flowers be sent. I anticipate that I will identify an organization that my mother would like donations made to in lieu of flowers, and I will communicate that as soon as that is determined. While we are all shocked and heartbroken, I know she is at peace and happy. She was not afraid of death and is now laughing with her sister in heaven and reunited with her family. Please keep sharing your uplifting “Donna stories” on her Facebook page or with me, as they bring us joy to know how she touched so many people. Thank you all again for your sincere words and support.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 02:30:57 +0000