I'm met my dear friend, Lisa Marie Howard in Middletown New York about 25 years ago. Her young son Thomas, a year and a half older than my son Jack, also suffered from profound autism, and we ran in the same warrior mom circles and our sons took some extracurricular classes together. She moved to Tennessee many years ago due to her husband's job but we've always kept in touch over the years. Even recently, we'd often talk late into the night as she was a night owl and we would discuss our heartache over our sons' illness and disabilities.
She would have been 60 in May and over the last few years has suffered from cancer three times. Prior to that she had other health issues and her biggest worry was the same as mine. What would become of her son when she was gone. She was supposed to return to the doctor on March the 28th to discuss treatment....and I may have been one of the last people to speak with her around the 17th or 18th, as I just found out the other day she passed away on the feast of St Joseph, March the 19th. I don't have any details on her passing because her obituary is very short and vague. I became concerned when she didn't return my phone calls, text messages, and Facebook messages, since we often spoke.
We don't have any other information despite trying.
She loved and practiced her Catholic Faith.
She loved baseball
She loved dogs
She had a fantastic sense of humor and made me laugh
She knew the secrets of my heart
And she loved her son Thomas most of all. She was kind and loving to everyone.
And so....I didn't want her to slip into Oblivion, without a word!!!! She dedicated her life to the care of her son and husband and she was very loved among the autism mom community in Orange county New York and she will be greatly missed!
*I* will miss you, Lisa!!!!!
I will miss our combined prayers and late night support.
She often said that I was the only one who understood. And she was that for me too.... May Jesus hold you and bring you peace and comfort now.
Her son suffers from extreme behaviors and seizures. I am asking prayers for this family as they continue on without her. They are in great need. Please pass this information on to anyone who may have known and loved her. My utmost sincere condolences to her family and everyone who loved her.
