Tuesday, October 14, 2014

My sister's obituary

Today I finally felt ready to read Mari's obituary which was printed on the day before her funeral. I've reprinted it below.
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Mari Jayne Carter

On Friday, October 3rd 2014, Mari Jayne Carter's life ended unexpectedly and tragically at the age of 56. She grew up in Hermosa Beach, CA and spent most of her adult life in Redondo Beach, CA living in Ohio for several years in between.

At the time of her death, she was a stay at home mom, however, spent her career in administrative staff positions, specializing in bookkeeping. She spent a short time working in the city prosecutor's office in Ohio where she met her husband Darrell Carter 35 years ago. She was a woman of faith who was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1975. She loved animals and enjoyed all of Jehovah God's Creation.

She is preceded in death by her mother and step father, Deanna and Howard Coleman; step mother, Anita Sanchez; siblings, Phillip, Fred and Gilbert Sanchez. She is survived by her husband, Darrell Carter; father, Phillip Sanchez, siblings, Thomas and Jane Bilby, Raymond Sanchez, Stephan Coleman, Sammy and Julie AhSam; children, Amy and Donnie Krietermeyer, Jarrod, Darren, Rachel and Emma Carter; grandchildren, Brianna Drummond, Broc, Aspen, Deven, Kendall, McKenna and Tristen Krietermeyer; as well as many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. She will be greatly missed by her family and an enormous amount of friends.

The memorial service will be on Friday, October 10th, 6pm at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2102 Aviation Way Redondo Beach, CA 90278. The gathering afterward will be announced at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family at www.gofundme.com/mimijay. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

Published in Daily Breeze on Oct. 9, 2014

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Goodbye Mari Jayne

Two hours ago I found out that my sister has died, completely unexpectedly, on October 3, 2014. She was 56 and has four children. I'm stunned beyond words.

I always thought of her when I heard this song, but I had no idea how fitting it was until this moment.

Mari, my big sister and protector, I love you.