Marie at 1 Write Way

She Was a Fine Specimen of a Lady: RIP Florence Reynolds (Bailey) Minch

My mom at 95.

Friday evening, at about 7 pm, I got “that call” from my brother. Our mother had died. Florence Reynolds (Bailey) Minch left us before seeing her 100th birthday which would have been on October 25. Many of us believe she wanted to be with her girls (her oldest daugthers, Shirley and Charlotte, who died in 2022) more than she wanted to see another birthday.

Last year, she had her annual exam. Her doctor pronounced her a “fine specimen of a woman.” She corrected him: “I’m a lady.” After that, I and other family members often referred to her as “a fine specimen of a lady.” Indeed, she was.

Several years ago I wrote about her and my aunt Edith who was dying from cancer at that time: Meditation on Life and Mom  Near the end of that post, I wrote “it’s listening to her talk about her birds and squirrels and the occasional woodchuck that I’ll miss.”

Over the last few years, she became entranced by Baltimore Orioles, particularly the males since they have more striking plumage. In fact, during the last couple of phone calls we had before she broke her hip and went to hospital, she’d say, “I just want to see the Baltimore Oriole one more time.” I never asked what she meant by “one more time.” I chose to think that she meant they were migrating, and she wanted to see another one before they were gone for the winter.

This past week, our feeder was being visited by a female Baltimore Oriole. I couldn’t tell my mom because she had stopped taking phone calls. Her voice was too weak and the effort too tiring.

This morning, while fixing coffee, I saw a male Baltimore Oriole at the feeder. Maybe I should have felt sad that I could no longer tell Mom of my sightings, that I couldn’t pick up the phone and call her or ask someone to pass my message along. But I didn’t feel sad. I felt a surge of joy. One of my mom’s favorite birds was visiting my home. Coincidence? I think not.

My mother over the years.

Aunt Edith, Aunt Bea, my mom, Aunt Orvetta, Aunt Lee, Aunt Alice, and Aunt Mildred. My aunt Orvetta is the only one of the seven sisters left now.
My mom, teenaged me, and Aunt Alice (in red). Sometime in the mid-70s.
My mom with (perhaps?) Charlotte, her first-born.
My mom and dad when they were so young.
Mom.

 

Marie A Bailey

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44 responses to “She Was a Fine Specimen of a Lady: RIP Florence Reynolds (Bailey) Minch”

    • Thank you, Jill. I’m so happy I have these photos of her, especially when she was a young woman, just starting her life with my dad. The male Oriole only showed up the one day which really makes me feel it was no coincidence ;-) xo

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    • Thank you, Jan. I’ve often said that the longer my mom hung around, the harder it was going to be to let her go. She survived so much and was so healthy for so long. Eventually, though, it was the deaths of both her oldest daughters that broke her. I miss her, but at least she’s not sad anymore.

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  9. So sorry to hear about your loss, Marie. I lost my mom this year too, so I know that any mental preparation you do ahead of time is only so deep, and it still hurts badly. This was a lovely way to honor her memory.

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    • Oh, Kevin, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. My deepest condolences. I guess you did allude to it some time ago (I am so behind on my reading). It does hurt badly no matter what. Thank you for your kind words about my post.

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        • Thank you. I’m pushing through mainly because there are still the details of my mom’s burial. Fortunately, she got all that set up years ago, and it’s just a matter of my brother signing off so the funeral home can proceed. And, of course, he’s complaining about the cost even though it’s all paid for. It’s times like this that I’m glad I’m here and he’s there (NY) ;-)

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  15. I’m so very sorry for your loss, Marie. I understand about getting “that call.” Your mom sounds like a wonderful, remarkable person. I’ve only seen Baltimore Orioles a very time, but the next time I do, I will definitely be thinking of your mom.

    I love the photo of your very young parents. Sending you hugs. ❤️

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  19. Hello, Marie,

    I apologize for not commenting or emailing you sooner about your mom. Grief is such a powerful emotion. Mom in 8/08 at only 73, Dad in 4/09 at only 77. There’s never enough time. Even with a wonderful mom who made it to 99.

    You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of her and for your dear sisters.

    RoseMary

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