[Nfbj] Lori Stayer of blessed memory

[Judith Bron]

When David called me Tuesday morning with the heart breaking news that our
dear Lori had left this world I was heart broken.  We have been close
friends for, I can't remember how long, but we talked almost every day.
Since before the Passover holiday I could detect that she was becoming
weaker by the day, and, like everyone, felt helpless.  There was nothing I
could do to alleviate her pain or weakness.  

Lori was sighted but her husband David is blind from birth.  The two of them
were closer than any couple any of us have ever known.  Weather it was
David's career as a medical social worker, their two beautiful daughters,
Lori's love of writing and masterful way of conveying her opinions and
thoughts or the religion they strictly observed, their Judaism, they were a
couple joined together by love and all the other components that go into a
marriage that lasts over 40 years.  

After David's call Tuesday telling me about Lori's passing I went through
the day in a daze.  I couldn't believe I wouldn't hear her voice again.  I
would never hear her perky laugh ever again.  Over the past few months David
took to answering my calls saying that he was Lori's social secretary and he
would check her schedule to see if she was free to talk.  Over the past few
days there were no jokes.  When I called one day after Passover I heard Lori
laughing in the background when David joked about being her social
secretary.  I was thrilled!  I hadn't heard that laugh in ages and looked at
this as hopeful, but the hope was short lived.    Lori was too weak to talk.
The last time I spoke with her was either before Shabbos last week or right
afterwards.  You can imagine how she sounded.  

Thankfully both her daughters, Melody and Rachael, were able to say goodbye
to her.  She loved them and her many grandchildren more than anything in
this world.  

We all know Lori has gone to her eternal well deserved reward.  She
exemplified the role of the Jewish woman, devoted mother,wife and
grandmother, in no specific order.  She received weekly calls from
grandchildren who live in other states.  They loved just talking to her.
What greater compliment can a grandparent receive?

At this time of bereavement for the Stayer family I just want to convey the
prayer we offer to all mourners.  Hashem should comfort you among all the
mourners for Zion and Jerusalem.  In the merit of Itta Leah bas Meyer Mechel
(Lori Stayer) we shoulda all continue striving to bring Moshiach Tzidkanu
speedily in our days.  Judith Bron