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My mother passed away Monday–just four days short of her 95th birthday. She’d enjoyed good health her entire life, but around noon on Mother’s Day developed some shortness of breath. Our family friend and PA who examined her said it was probably pnuemonia. She slipped away peacefully the next evening surrounded by family.
Since all you feel like family, I thought I’d share the obituary that I wrote for her. She truly was my hero. 
Daisy Bagby Robson was born May 16, 1913 in Pierre, South Dakota. She passed away just four days shy of her 95th birthday on Monday, May 12, surrounded by family.
Daisy, the third of four children born to Robert Emmons Bagby and Della McGannon, was a child of the prairie. She liked to say that she learned to ride before she could walk, and she spent many hours of her youth exploring the hills and valleys of the Missouri River.
She graduated from Pierre High School and soon after married the love her life, Reuben Robson. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage before Reuben’s death in 1985. Together they raised five children, although much of that rearing fell to Daisy during the 51 months that Reuben spent in the Army during WWII. After the war, Daisy continued to own and operate a Star Route for the U.S. Postal Service, which ran between Watertown and Arlington, South Dakota, for nearly forty years. She and Reuben purchased the Brookings Taxi in 1956 and ran it until they retired in 1971. True “snow birds,” they traveled between Las Vegas, South Dakota and California for many of their golden years. After Reuben’s death, Daisy moved to Cathey’s Valley to be near family.
Always an active person, Daisy played a mean game of Scrabble, cracked walnuts for Buchanan Hollow Nut Company, crocheted potholders and baked her famous sticky buns for family functions. Once she could no longer drive, she moved into The Hampshire independent living center where she continued to enjoy good health and great adventures until 2006 when she moved to the Just Like Home assisted living center.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Robert Robson and Sharleen of Le Grand, Jan O’Brien of Cathey’s Valley, Jean Harming of Boise, Idaho, Don Robson and Shirley of Tracy, and Debra Salonen and Paul of Cathey’s Valley. She was grandmother to thirteen, great-grandmother to twenty and great-great-grandmother to six.
Daisy’s ashes will be interred in the Scotty Philip Cemetery in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, in sight of the Missouri River beside her beloved husband.
Forgive me if I’m not quick to respond to your lovely posts. I somehow managed to catch a terrible flu the same night Mom passed. Strange, but true.
Deb
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Deb,
You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. Remember those dearest to us never really leave; they live on in the way they cared, shared and made us happy.
by Susan
on May 15th, 2008 at 8:41 am
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Thank you, Susan. Your kind thoughts and prayers are most appreciated. Tomorrow would have been her birthday. We’re having a small family-only memorial then a larger gathering later.
You words are so true, and it’s nice to see them in print to remind myself.
Thank you so much.
Deb
by Deb
on May 15th, 2008 at 9:22 am
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My thoughts and heart are with you, my friend. What a lucky woman you are to have had her with you for so long. If you don’t mind, I will post your beautiful obituary on the class email. Love you, Jackie
by Jackie
on May 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
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I am sorry for your loss and I hope you have gotten over the flu.
by Judith L.
on May 15th, 2008 at 10:02 am
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Deb…what can I say…words fail me. Losing a treasured family member–much less a parent–is never easy. Be good to yourself and may sweet memories sooth your ragged heart during this time of transition.
Warmest thoughts and feelings to you and yours…
kim
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Deb…. your mother may have left her earthly body but she will live forever in the the memory of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great,great grandchildren. Warm thoughts for all the family members.
by Ellen
on May 15th, 2008 at 11:31 am
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Thanks, Jackie. I was hoping you’d post this to our classmates. Many of the new Mom well–or at the very least, rode in her cab. 
I’m feeling a lot better, but not 100% yet, Judith. Thanks for your good wishes. Stomach flu is worse than a cold to get over because your poor insides have to re-start from scratch. 
Kim, sweetie. Good news. I got your A KISS TO REMEMBER and Ellen Hartman’s HIS SECRET PAST today. I’m going to indulge in a weekend of romance reading and total escapism.
Plus, I’ve heard from several friends (THANK YOU, Frani, Donna and Janie) who read BABY BY CONTRACT and loved it, so that’s made me happy.
AND, I got a most special bouquet of flowers this afternoon that proved to me how connected we are in this business. The flowers were roses and gladiolas, which were Mom’s two favorites. She grew them in her abundant, often overgrown garden at the home where I grew up. (It was overgrown because she was too busy to be bothered with weeds, but she also didn’t see them. She just saw the beauty.)
Deb
by Deb
on May 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
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Deb I am so sorry for your lost. You don’t realize how lucky you were to have your mother that long. To have such a long life and to be so healthy that just amazes me.
by Virginia H.
on May 16th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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You have my deepest sympathy. My mother passed away in February at the age of 92. She and my daughter share their birthdate and I am so glad that they were able to share their birthday December 31st. I have a great picture of the two of them and their cake.
by Karin
on May 18th, 2008 at 8:48 am
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Thanks, Virginia. I do know how lucky we all have been. I hoping she passed those healthy genes along to everyone in our family. 
Bless you, Karin. What a lovely image you gave me to picture. I’m gald you and your daughter will always have that image as well.
Thanks to all for your long-distance hugs.
Deb
by Debra
on May 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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Deb, You have my deepest condolences, it is most difficult to lose a mom. The memories of the heart, keep us strong. You’ll be in my thought and prayers. I hope you over the flu.
by Suzanne Bischoff
on May 20th, 2008 at 4:26 am
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Thank you, Suzanne. I am all well now. I still maintain that it could have been food poisoning, but nobody agrees with me. Sigh. At least, it’s gone. Yeah. 
Deb
by Deb
on May 20th, 2008 at 7:38 am
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Deb…Jean and I were friends during grade school, junior high, and high school. I spent many hours at your home in Brookings when everyone was still in high school. Jean & I babysat you on occasion. I was very saddened to hear about your mom’s death…Daisy was a strong woman and always a great role model. I have many neat memories of her back in the 50’s. My last contact with Jean was when she was in Las Vegas. I would truly like her and Jan’s addresses and e-mails. Love and condolences to you.
by Mary Ross
on June 5th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
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