September 10, 2019  

Tribute to My Mother

tribute to mom

Me and my mom December 2014

Today is a very special post in honor of my mother, Mary Jane (Reed) Gartner. Today was also one of the hardest days of my life, when I answered my phone in the early hours of the morning to the news my mom had died. She was 96 years old. The nurse of Wilson Health Care Center at Asbury Methodist Village waited patiently as I tried to process the information. I was at a loss for words. Knowing I was about to devastate each member of my family with just three words — “Mom passed away” — was not a responsibility I wanted, but it was the one I had. With every number I dialed, my mom’s death became more real.

Losing the person who has literally been there for you your whole life is shocking. It’s heartbreaking. It’s life changing. But I find it helps to take the perspective that I didn’t really lose her. I know exactly where she is and where she’ll always be. She is alive in my memories and the link to all the history I share on this blog.

While it is hard to loose her, I know she is in a better place. She was never in pain and we all got to spend time with her before she went to sleep. Thanks mom, for the 69 years of love and support you have given me. May your soul rest in perfect peace.

I love you … your eldest.

Here is the link to her Obituary for friends and family who follow this blog: https://www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mary-Jane-Gartner?obId=7173479#/celebrationWall

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About Reed Brothers

I am a co-owner of the former Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, Maryland. Lewis Reed, the founder of Reed Brothers Dodge was my grandfather. We were a family-owned and operated car dealership in Rockville for almost a century. I served in the United States Air Force for 30 years before retiring in the top enlisted grade of Chief Master Sergeant in July 2006. In 2016, I received the Arthur M. Wagman Award for Historic Preservation Communication from Peerless Rockville for documenting the history of Reed Brothers Dodge in both blog and book format. This distinguished honor recognizes outstanding achievement by writers, educators, and historians whose work has heightened public awareness of Rockville’s architectural and cultural heritage, growth and development.

6 responses to “Tribute to My Mother”

  1. Gary Moulton says :

    I am very sorry to hear about the passing of you mother. I have many fond memories of your family and the old Reed Brothers location in Rockville.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  2. Jonathan B. Richards II says :

    Dear Jeanne ,
    It is with sadness and heartfelt sympathy that I respond to the news of your mother’s death. It comes to us all. I lost my remarkable mother eight years ago. She lived for nearly 99 years and was an educated, kind and exciting woman who influenced the life of her eldest son , myself , in ways that I still discover all these years later. Mothers are so very important. Please find peace in this time of loss and always remember that she is always alive in your memories. Most Sincerely, Jonathan (Jack) Richards at Chesterfield, Missouri.

    Reply
    • Reed Brothers says :

      Thank you for your kind words, Jonathan. I guess most of us have either done this or will be facing it in the future. It certainly isn’t easy. Thank you for stopping by and for your kindness and support.

      Jeanne

      Reply
  3. Patrick Kernan says :

    God bless your mom. May Mary Jane Reed Gartner rest in peace, and may many memories comfort you Jeanne.

    Reply

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