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In Remembrance of Marty Gessler - March 10, 2020 Marty Gessler Huge gratitude to Marty, his wife Christina, their children and extended family for being such a powerful example of how a family can move with all the bitter sweetness of saying goodbye to one another. I was continually struck by Marty, and his family’s willingness to show up so real and vulnerable. Marty was an incredible artist among many other talents, and continued his natural ability in the art of dying with dignity, as well. I can still see his contagious smile and evoke his positive way of being. The day Marty died, his family, nor any of us had an idea how the world would change as we know it. His wife Christina, months after her beloved‘s death said, “Out of the experience of suffering an invitation can be found. This is the gift I think, and we must continue to believe in the gifts.” ~Amanda Kenney |
Illustration and Graphic Design: Marty Gessler / Sun Graphics
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With loving remembrances of Lillian Gilbreth - January 2020
Lillian’s death was the most beautiful imaginable and her courage an inspiration. After a long, rich, and incredibly interesting life, the physical struggles with increasing air hunger, Lil decided she was done. She reached out to Full Circle for guidance on how to make use of California’s End of Life Options Act and Medical Aid in Dying.
Lil wanted to direct her death on her own terms and with dignity and grace. The day before her chosen day to die, she had what she called her “Bon Voyage” party with a houseful of singing, merriment and heartfelt good-byes. The next morning, January 18, 2020, after 81 years of life of walking the earth, she was ready to go.
As was her practice, she stood before the mirror, with her bright blue eyes clear and focused, she affirmed to herself that she was “AMAZING and I can do this!” With her beloved husband Stephen, her family, and closest friends at her side, she hopped onto the bed and drank the lethal cocktail. In nineteen minutes, she was gone. It was a peaceful and tearful and oh so powerful for all who surrounded her with love. It was the most profound experience of my life. It was an honor to walk with Lil. She is my hero and a role model for what a beautiful death can look like.
With gratitude and loving memories, Martha Turner, End of Life Doula
Remembrance of Cynthia Wood Schutz, July 30, 2019
Cynthia invited Full Circle of Living and Dying into her life close to the end of her battle with incurable brain cancer. It was an honor to sit with her beloved husband Jim and her dear friend Karyn as she explored how she envisioned her final days on earth. With amazing candor, humor and clarity, Cynthia shared her wish to manifest "elegance" in her experience. This ranged from keeping her fingernails beautifully manicured, selecting an elegant beaded dress to be buried in, to making sure her guests would sip champagne from "real glasses" at her reception after her death. Cynthia's green burial was tender and love filled. Every Sunday at church, Jim evokes her spirit as he remembers Cynthia and shares his sorrow. We give thanks to have been able to be present for her circle of loved ones.
With gratitude and loving memories, Martha Turner, End of Life Doula
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Cynthia invited Full Circle of Living and Dying into her life close to the end of her battle with incurable brain cancer. It was an honor to sit with her beloved husband Jim and her dear friend Karyn as she explored how she envisioned her final days on earth. With amazing candor, humor and clarity, Cynthia shared her wish to manifest "elegance" in her experience. This ranged from keeping her fingernails beautifully manicured, selecting an elegant beaded dress to be buried in, to making sure her guests would sip champagne from "real glasses" at her reception after her death. Cynthia's green burial was tender and love filled. Every Sunday at church, Jim evokes her spirit as he remembers Cynthia and shares his sorrow. We give thanks to have been able to be present for her circle of loved ones.
With gratitude and loving memories, Martha Turner, End of Life Doula
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IN REMEMBRANCE OF ARLO ACTON DECEMBER 13,2018
An abundance of gratitude to this family for inviting us to help guide them in after death care. Keeping Arlo in the home he built, and where he and his wife raised their family, was a gift to all those that loved him and wanted to say "fare thee well." It is not every day that you meet a family that has been in the community for so many years and a living legend to boot. An artist, farmer, smile-maker and deeply loved by his family. ~Amanda Kenney
IN HONOR & REMEMBRANCE OF ROBIN MILLER JULY 5, 2018
Family & an abundance of friends shared in Robin's dying process from onset to sitting vigil during the last days - to creating a personalized home funeral. Family and friends meditated and sang with him during dying times and after death as he lay in honor in his own home. He was lovingly shrouded by his wife and sons before
dear friends stepped in to carry Robin out as he begins his next journey. Thank you for allowing our presence during the sacred time at end-of-life.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF END-OF-LIFE JOURNEY MAY 1, 2018
Much gratitude to this family who invited us in for advance planning and education in end-of-life and post-death care. This gentleman lived his life with self-determination which continued up to his death. His dying motto became: “To die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death of one’s own free choice, death at the proper time, with a clear head and with joyfulness, consummated in the midst of children and witnesses: so that an actual leave-taking is possible while he who is leaving is still there.” --Friedrich Nietzsche
His family and community supported his decision and honored him with a light-hearted roast 3 days before he died.
Much gratitude to this family who invited us in for advance planning and education in end-of-life and post-death care. This gentleman lived his life with self-determination which continued up to his death. His dying motto became: “To die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death of one’s own free choice, death at the proper time, with a clear head and with joyfulness, consummated in the midst of children and witnesses: so that an actual leave-taking is possible while he who is leaving is still there.” --Friedrich Nietzsche
His family and community supported his decision and honored him with a light-hearted roast 3 days before he died.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF VALENCIA - MARCH 2018
We never know what surprising shifts and unexpected reactions come with sudden death.
Assisting new friends during this time requires listening to our own soul for guidance and listening to the hearts of others. Sometimes elaborate ceremony is best shifted to a private honoring.
Maybe the teaching is to simply be present for grief and witness its roar.
We may find a deep soul cleansing is what is needed. We are truly thankful to be present with another amazing family and receive the immense teachings that come from love.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF SUZANNE HAWKINS, MARCH 12, 2018
It was a rare privilege to be invited in to meet Suzanne at the end-of-her life. She was a beautiful you woman who loved outdoor activities. She was like a magnet to her friends and family who gathered during her illness and cared for her during her dying process. Her end-of-life process taught us about patience, the miracle of life and how nothing is really predictable when it comes to spirit. Her friends and family were empowered to create a beautiful, meaningful death ceremony in the home which extended out onto the back porch. In her memory we learned to "carry on" with living & dying.
It was a rare privilege to be invited in to meet Suzanne at the end-of-her life. She was a beautiful you woman who loved outdoor activities. She was like a magnet to her friends and family who gathered during her illness and cared for her during her dying process. Her end-of-life process taught us about patience, the miracle of life and how nothing is really predictable when it comes to spirit. Her friends and family were empowered to create a beautiful, meaningful death ceremony in the home which extended out onto the back porch. In her memory we learned to "carry on" with living & dying.
IN HONOR OF BARBARA HAZILLA, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
It was our honor to care for Barbara during her end-of-life. Her strength and self-determination was a great teaching for us. Her desire was to die at home and to have her body washed and prepared to lie in state in her own home. Family and friends came to visit for 3 days showering her with love, singing songs, and storytelling.
On the day she was to leave her home, her community came together to wrap her body with her favorite linens and sarongs creating a colorful shroud. She was adorned with earth items, printed notes of love and "photo" of her beloved pet were tucked to accompany her on her next journey.
A generous donation in her name was made to Full Circle Living & Dying.
IN HONOR OF BARBARA HAZILLA, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
It was our honor to care for Barbara during her end-of-life. Her strength and self-determination was a great teaching for us. Her desire was to die at home and to have her body washed and prepared to lie in state in her own home. Family and friends came to visit for 3 days showering her with love, singing songs, and storytelling.
On the day she was to leave her home, her community came together to wrap her body with her favorite linens and sarongs creating a colorful shroud. She was adorned with earth items, printed notes of love and "photo" of her beloved pet were tucked to accompany her on her next journey.
A generous donation in her name was made to Full Circle Living & Dying.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF HOME DEATH CARE JANUARY 2018
Family and friends gathered in support of a local author, husband, father, brother, friend
who was described as an explorer, author, educator, wisdom speaker, artist,
creator of magic, and one who lived on his own terms.
His community supported him as he died on his own terms using his right as a terminally ill human being to
legally discontinue a prolonged dying process. Family joined in preparing him to lie
in honor on his own property for friends and family to gather and honor.
In Remembrance of Sam Stern, December 2017
A truly caring community surrounded Sam during her end-of-life journey. Family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers all participated at a high level to offer round the clock care and loving presence. Dear friends and family created their own specialized after death care tea ceremony, washing, and preparation for Sam to lie in honor in her own home. A beautiful candlelight goodbye was created by neighbors in her co-housing community.
A truly caring community surrounded Sam during her end-of-life journey. Family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers all participated at a high level to offer round the clock care and loving presence. Dear friends and family created their own specialized after death care tea ceremony, washing, and preparation for Sam to lie in honor in her own home. A beautiful candlelight goodbye was created by neighbors in her co-housing community.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF STUNNING HOME DEATH CARE, OCT. 2017
We were deeply moved by this community who came together to help Dawn, a dying friend. Full Circle of Living and Dying was contacted by Dawn's friend in order to find out options to bring Dawn home after dying in the hospital. We had very little time to make this happen, but it all fell into place with the help of friends, a kind mortuary service, and divine intervention. A friend opened his home for a 24 hour vigil. Friends gathered to wash and anoint her body while ethereal harp music was played live by another dear friend. An impromptu earth altar was lovingly created by the community including a sister and former husband. A cardboard casket was decorated by those who gathered for home vigil. Cremation was chosen and shrouding of Dawn's body occurred on the last afternoon. The process evolved naturally. The result was stunning and transforming for all involved. A generous donation was received in memory of Dawn.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND NATURAL HOME DEATH CARE, SEPT. 2017
Two of our Death Care Midwives guided this family in providing their own home death care for a beloved family member. This support included a ritual washing ceremony and 4 days lying in honor in her own home.
The family created a personalized private gathering of community in the home and held vigil until they were ready to let her leave. On the last day family members shrouded her and held an honoring send-off with petals scattered outside in her own beautiful backyard. It was very moving to support this family and watch as they felt empowered to take this on themselves.
Such beauty. Family and friends were shown the better way of doing death.
IN HONOR OF LYNN RENN, MARCH 2, 2017
It was our privilege to come to know Lynn Renn and to care for her during the last 8 weeks of her life. She was a teacher to us and her community of friends and family. Lynn took charge of her dying process by organizing her own end-of-life care, after death care and home funeral. She was an amazing artist, lover of the outdoors, avid skier, and special friend to many. Many dear friends assisted in her passing and after death care, including ceremony and home vigil. A beautiful cardboard casket was created by friends during her last days in physical body. Sacred Bridges caregivers provided end-of-life care.
In Rembrance of Rita Rainville, December 22, 2016
A love donation was made in honor of a beloved mother, grandmother and friend. Family and friends gathered to care for Rita's body in a home after death ritual. Loving washing and dressing occurred to allow Rita to lie in honor for three days in sacred space in the family home. A sacred time for all.
IN HONOR OF MILLIE NAVARRO AUGUST 5, 2016
A loving community of friends and family gathered for the final weeks of Millie's life. Friends constructed a special end-of-life room of comfort that became a sacred space as soon as Millie entered. Friends and loved ones sat bedside with her for many weeks as Millie demonstrated beauty, grace and love for all who surrounded her. After her death, our Death Care Midwives educated friends in the ritual washing and preparing of her body to lie in honor in her special sacred room. In the following days other community members and traveling family members came to visit and experience the truth of what it means to die well.
A generous donation from Amanda Kenney in honor of her dear friend will help continue the education and guidance provided by Full Circle of Living and Dying.
December 13, 2015
We were happy to assist Betty Westman in remembrance of husband Blake Westman. We had the privilege to serve this sweet family in North San Juan by teaching her about home funeral. We witnessed the loving care of a wife and dear friends honoring her husband with ritual after death care in the privacy of their own home. The loved one was able to lie in honor as long as needed. Much love and the presence of spirit assisted in making this a beautiful ceremony and sweet good bye.
April 15-18, 2015
A beautiful home funeral for Keith Bandimere was envisioned by his wife Annie. Full Circle Living & Dying is honored to have assisted Annie in after death care and a three day home funeral.
Keith's was truly a beautiful conscious death and very sacred time for family and community. ~A very special donation was made by Gail Reed to replenish the "Paint Bucket" used for painting Keith's eco-friendly Casket. "Painting the casket made the funeral a fun - eral. Thank you!"
December 19, 2014
In Rembrance of Roy Sanbower from Jen Scott. A generous donation in the name of Roy Sanbower has been received by Full Circle Living & Dying . These funds will further our work of loving care at end of life, and help ensure the proper "lift-off" for future departing souls. |
A generous donation mailed to Full Circle Living & Dying from Death Valley, CA: In Honor of Roy Sanbower with love from brothers Mark Sanbower, Paul Cooley and friend Phyllis Young.
If you would like to make a donation in remembrance of a loved one and to further the work of Full Circle Living & Dying please contact: AKHILA MURPHY (530)432-6929
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