The Memorial Wall

Our dear friend, Joyce, went home on June 1, 2010.

Born in Canada on the 156th anniversary of Beethoven's birthday, she had a passion for music. With a contralto voice, her singing choices embraced spirituals, oratorio, operatic arias, and show tunes. She directed choirs, particularly children's choirs. She sang in a wide variety of venues. She joked that she had sung in so many different churches that she was ecumenical. Joyce had a non-stop zest for life, even as Parkinson's disease slowed her mobility.

Her lifelong mantra was "Don't take life too seriously; you'll never get out of it anyhow."

For nearly 53 years, Joyce and her cousin and best friend, Grace, laughed, traveled, attended all manner of events, made friends and volunteered, as they together enjoyed life to the full. Yes, they did work once in a while as well. Joyce's favorite spiritual was Anton Dovrak's "Goin' Home" "Mother's there 'specting me, Father's waiting, too. Lots of folks gathered there, All the friends I knew…. Through an open door…. Goin' home."

Joyce leaves behind a lot of friends who have yet to walk the final mile, but she looks forward to seeing them again, too. 

"Thanks for the Memories!!!" - Grace

Mary (May) Meyer, long time resident of Long Beach and Anaheim, CA, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2010, at the age of 80 years old.

Mary was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and longtime employee of St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA. She was born on May 1, 1930, in Shotts, Scotland, and was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Philip Dolan, her sister, Margaret Kelly, and her beloved husband, Donald T. Meyer. Mary is survived by two loving daughters Diane Meyer Allweiler and Donna Brooks, son-in-law Joseph O. Allweiler, Jr., sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Gordon Leis, sister Eileen McSherry, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dorene and Howard Guthrie, along with numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Scotland as well as her “Child of the Heart” Chriss Storms, and Chriss’ children, Claudia, Megan and Michael.

Mary will be remembered for her beautiful and sweet smile, kind heart, and loving spirit.

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful; he always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone, for part of us
went with you the day God called you home.
~ Irish Blessing

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the
Mary Meyer Memorial at Parkinson’s Resource Organization www.ParkinsonsResource.org

Dr. Myron Lind died Friday, March 19, 2010, in La Quinta, California at age 70 from End Stage Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on July 5, 1939, to George and Sadie Lind in Brooklyn, New York. Myron graduated from the State University of New York, College of Medicine in 1965. In 1966, he completed his internship at University of Florida at Gainesville and then completed a medical residency at Harbor General Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 1970 Myron found his true calling in psychiatry and completed his residency at the VA/UCLA Medical Centers. In 1973, he entered private practice in Van Nuys, California and continued that practice for the next 20 years until illness necessitated his retirement. Myron served his country from 1967 to 1969 in the United States Air Force where he was a Flight Surgeon. Myron collected Medical Antiques.

He enjoyed painting and creating ceramic sculptures and pipes. His hobbies were gardening, tennis, swimming, skiing, bowling and poker. He enjoyed traveling, going to the theatre and cherished time with family and friends. Myron lived with Parkinson’s disease for 30 years, accepting each challenge and reinventing himself to embrace life the best he could in spite of the great difficulties he faced.

Myron is survived by his wife Anita M. Lind; brother, Arnold J. Lind; daughter Courtney Lind Korenkiewicz (Richard) and Lisa Wendy Vuskovic (Sergio); son, Dr. Mark Evan Jaffe, MD; grandchildren, Richard Lind Korenkiewicz, Eli Jerome Vuskovic, and Elizabeth Marie Kastner. He is also survived by Barbara Bradford Lind, mother of Joshua Daniel Lind (deceased) and Courtney Lind Korenkiewicz, and Kara Brook Schmidt, mother of Dr. Mark Evan Jaffe, MD, and Lisa Wendy Vuskovic. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Sadie Lind, and son, Joshua Daniel Lind.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization, Myron Lind Memorial Fund, 74-478 Highway 111 #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260-4112.

Special thanks to the staff of Bella Casa, La Quinta, CA, and the staff of Vitas Hospice, Cathedral City, CA. for helping care for Myron and supporting the family over the last five months.

“The good life harmonizes the elements of love, work, and play.” Myron Lind 1983

Hale Saefkow, age 80, died March 3. Born Nov. 23, 1929.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years, Betty (nee Sawhill). Married Nov. 10, 1950. Loving father of David (wife Kim) and Tom (wife Mary); grandfather of Sara Healey, Jeff, Matt, Mike and Steve; great grandfather of two; brother-in-law of Jeanne and Herm Seitz. Family was always first.

Grew up in Euclid, and graduated from Euclid Central in 1948. Lived in Lyndhurst for 40 years and was active in Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church, Little League coaching, Cub Scout Master (Pack No. 89), AASR, Pipefitters Local No. 120. Taught welding for 17 years. Was a member of Northeast, Lake County and Bay Point Yacht Clubs. Enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, swimming and dancing. 

Survived by loving husband Alvin, children Steven (Brigitte), David (Geri), Risa (Jeff) Leonard, Susie (Stewart) Epstein, predeceased by daughter Elizabeth. Loving Noni to Ashley, Haley, Aaron, Andrew, Adam, Ben (Olivia), Jessica, Nicole, Brittany, Jason & Jamie, great-grandma to Nathan, Katie, & Sophie. 

Beloved husband of the late Sarah died of Parkinson's disease on November 22, 2009, in Royal Oak, MI. Loving father of Sandra Flanagan, Howard (Martha) Kaloogian, and Harold (Sandy) Kaloogian. Loving grandfather of Alexandra and Eric, Meredith and Jack and Alex. Dear brother of Victoria and Gladys. Dear brother-in-law of Charles Ayanian and Ivy Benneian. Harry will also be missed by his nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. with 7 p.m. prayers at the Edward Korkoian Funeral Home, 836 N. Main Street, Royal Oak (248) 541-8325. Knights of Vartan Service Friday 7:30 p.m. In-state Saturday 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral at the Armenian Congregational Church, 26210 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield.

Ann Bodenhamer Martin, 82, made her transition and took flight with the angels on November 6, 2009. We all loved her. We all were uniquely blessed and inspired to new heights by her pure, yet simple way of loving. Our spirits soared as we laughed at her priceless and infectious sense of humor. We all have personal stories to share how she changed our lives for the better. Remembering Reverend Ann B. Martin conjures up a multitude of emotions and memories for all of us; sheer blessedness, unconditional love, heartfelt empathy, and unending wisdom. For 20 years, Ann blessed us as the Minister of Unity Church of Palm Springs. With her positive and caring approach in her thoughts, words, deeds and actions, she encouraged countless people to savor every moment of life with strength and appreciation, a sense of wonder, and a forgiving heart. Even when Parkinson's disease began playing havoc with her body and mind, she fought it head on, openly talking about it, laughing at it, and loving God all the more. Dedicated to the little white church in the desert, Dr. Ann communicated her pearls of wisdom in over 2,500 sermons. And then there were the hugs, over 240,000 of them, with always more to come. Ann's presence and devotion extended past the walls of the church. She built a sense of community within the community, dedicating herself to helping terminally ill patients and anyone else who needed a shoulder to cry on. She spent innumerable hours holding the hands of frightened individuals, assuring that God loved them and so did she. Above all, Ann was a teacher. She possessed the uncanny ability to recognize gifts inside of us that we couldn't see. And she was always right. Full of wisdom and encouragement, her messages were simple: "Decide today to make love a priority. Do what comes naturally and follow your heart. Listen within, forgive yourself and others, and ask for the truth of love to fill your life." Also a gifted author, Ann wrote several touching and awe-inspiring books. Her latest book, Calling Your Angel (SterlingHouse Publisher) has been enlightening readers since the fall of 2007. Calico Families (Pelican Publishing Co.) was first published in 1974 and has recently been re-released after 35 years! Ann's life before she moved to Palm Springs was anything but ordinary. A television personality in New Orleans, she created and hosted several shows, including "New Orleans Bandstand," "Hospitality House," and "The Ann Elliott Show." Also a fashion model, a radio broadcaster, a photographer, a journalist for several periodicals, and the first woman ever to "call the horses," Ann's life has been quite a trip! Ann's final job was perhaps her most important - Grandma. Living in Colorado with her daughter and two granddaughters for the past 15 months, Ann tackled Parkinson's with courage and conviction, determined to leave her grandchildren with the invaluable gifts of compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, faith in what you can't see, and love, always, always love. So, let's open our hearts, wipe away our tears, raise our arms in the air, and give our precious lady that well known, old fashioned, Ann Martin sendoff: Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! We love you, Dr. Ann! We love you, friend! We love you more! It would be greatly appreciated if monetary gifts made in memory of Dr. Ann, be sent to the Rev. Ann Martin Memorial at Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74-478 Highway 111, #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260 or on their website at www.parkinsonsresource.org. Telephone 877-775-4111. Also, all royalties made from future book sales will be donated to PRO. Thank you.

Arne R. Wesslen October 2, 1924 - October 15, 2009 Born in San Pedro, CA the only child of Gustav and Ida Wesslen, he lived in Los Angeles County all his life. He was a graduate of San Pedro High School, L.A. Harbor College and We st Coast University. He was a deck officer (mate) in the Merchant Marines during World War II and maintained his mate's license his whole life. In 1995, WWII Merchant Marines were given honorable discharges from the U.S. Coast Guard. His 40-year petroleum industry career began with sailing tankers for Richfield Oil later moving into management positions and retiring from ARCO (now BP) in 1985. He was a volunteer deck officer on the S.S. Lane Victory for many years and was on the bridge during their summer d ay cruises. Arne is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ellen Mathis Wesslen; daughters, CDR M.K. Wesslen, USN and Terry Lee Johnson (Brad); stepson, Mark Lee Mathis (Heidy); and grandchildren, Jessica Ann Johnson, Joseph Paul Johnson, Heather Chrystina Mathis and Brett Lee Mathis; as well as many other family and friends. Services are Thursday, October 22, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. followed by graveside services with military honors at Forest Lawn, Cypress with viewing, Wednesday, October 21, 2009, from 6-9 p.m.

Bill was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 16, 1932.  He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Anita, his sons from a prior marriage, Ken and Kurt of Bothel WA and Los Angeles and the many wonderful friends he made throughout his lifetime. 

Bill spent his career in commodity sales for the beef and lamb industry working for Armour & Company and John Morell among others. He excelled in college basketball playing on an AAU team owned by Fibber McGee and Molly. He scored hoops from Mexico to Canada. 

Bill enjoyed the game of golf just about more than anything in life and the most joyful years were spent playing golf with his buddies on courses around the world.  

Bill’s effervescent smile, his endearing sense of humor and ability to quote poetry at the drop of a hat will linger in our hearts forever. He aspired to be a singer in the genre of Frank Sinatra and on occasion with enough good wine, he came pretty close. No one loved life as much as Bill Kramer and all who met him, loved him. 

His wife and family gratefully acknowledge the staff and caregivers of The Carlotta Nursing home in Palm Desert, CA who provided such loving care over the past four and a half years. 

Special mention must be made to Jo Rosen and the Parkinson’s Resource Organization. Without her support, council, and knowledge of Parkinson’s disease, the path was made easier and we are forever in her debt.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Fountains of the Carlotta on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Please call (760) 619-3584 for details. All are welcome.  

In lieu of flowers, and to carry on his legacy of helping others affected by Parkinson’s, the family suggests donations to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization with special mention in memory of William B Kramer.  Sentiments to the family will be cherished.

In loving memory of Charles Edward Dent who passed away August 24th, 2009 in Chestnut Ridge, New York after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 77.

A long-time resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, “Chuck” moved to New York in 2006 to live near his daughter Susan Birkas-Dent and her family. A former aerospace engineer at Rockwell International, Charles graduated with honors from UCLA and obtained a MBA from USC. He was married to Carol Grunder Dent for 36 years until her passing in 1994. Charles is also survived by his daughter Cheryl Dent of Los Angeles, his granddaughter Freya May Birkas-Dent, his brother Robert Dent and sister Mary L. Jones. Services are planned for Saturday September 12 at 3pm at St. Peters by the Sea Presbyterian Church, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Special sentiments to the family and donations can be made in his memory to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization: www.ParkinsonsResource.org