I've received word that Ron Foster's Mother passed away last evening.

She had been failing for some time, but put up a brave fight. She would have been 84 a month from today.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Foster Family in this time of loss.

Ron and MJ

Our thoughts and prayers are also with you.

Lisa and Augie
fellow NELL members

Ron and Mary Jane,

I am saddened by the news of your loss. I hope you are comforted by the fact that she no longer needs to battle anything. I pray that she now rests easily in the arms of the Lord, and that His Peace is with you.

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-Art

Please know that both are you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.
Derith

So sorry to hear about your mother, Ron. Will be thinking of you these next few days.

Sue

Ron & Mary Jane, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

-Todd

Ron and Mary Jane,
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave, Susan and Heather

Ron and Mary Jane: We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to you. Losing a mother is a very painful and sorrowful experience. You are in our prayers.

Henry and Barbara Hupp
NELL members

Ron:

Jackie and I are saddened by the news of your mother's passing. We are praying for you and the family, and ask that you will experience His perfect peace during this time in your life.

Tim - Keeping the flame lit...

Thank you all so very much for your thoughtfulness and support during this difficult time.

Mom, Virginia Aronson, was a registered nurse and real inspiration to us. She was born in Manchester, NH in July 1916, the daughter of Joseph and Rena Kimball Dunlap. She graduated from Elliot Hospital School of Nursing in 1935 and worked all of her life helping to care for those in need. She worked at the Elliot until moving to CT in the early 1950’s where she was employed at Pratt & Whitney’s Plant Hospital for many years and then as Assistant Director of Nursing at Hughes Convalescent Home in West Hartford, CT. Her last employment was at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tilton, NH.

As with all families there were good times and bad, but during the difficult times Mom was never one to complain and always put others first. She was never one to moan about the cards that were dealt to her and she worked long hours to provide for her family and to ensure that those in her care got the best treatment possible. There was always a twinkle in her blue crescent shaped eyes when she smiled. That, along with her red hair and spunkiness, made for a loveable sole with a special zest for life that was contagious.

The good times included trips to York, ME in the summers where my brothers, sister and I played on the beaches and on the rocks near Nubble Light (Cape Neddick). The water was usually cold and I remember returning to Mom’s comforting hands with blue lips and fingernails on more than one occasion.

I remember the stories that she used to tell us about going out to the lighthouse when she was a child (her father knew the keeper) and about how the children of the keeper were sometimes transported to shore in the metal box that was suspended from cables strung between the small island the mainland (during rough seas when the boat would have been too dangerous).

Mom grew up during the Great Depression where she learned to work hard and appreciate all she had, in a way that reminds me of many of the lighthouse keepers and families from days gone by. She endured World War II when her father, brothers and husband were all overseas and she was a young working mother. She was pre-deceased by her only daughter and is the last of her family to pass on. During all of this her spirit never wavered and her courage never weakened as she faced old age and a failing body.

I know it must have been very difficult for Mom to be on the other side of the fence when it came to health care. To be on the receiving end and to have to rely on others to help her make it through a day was not part of what she would want for any extended period of time. I recently was reminded of the words of Betty Davis who said, “growing old isn’t for sissies.” Mom was no sissy and her courage, hard work and love of life I will always remember.

MJ and I are grateful to have all of you wonderful people who always rally ‘round and provide the family support which I think is typical of lighthouse lovers in general and more specifically, our Harbour Lights family. Thank you all.

Ron & MJ
(CT Keepers)

Ron&MJ,Our prayers are with you.You know, with memories like those,she will always be a part of your lives.May God Bless You

barfield family

Ron - What a beautiful tribute to your mother - Bob and I are so sorry for your loss and pray those wonderful memories will comfort you and Mary Jane.

Barb

My thought's are with you Ron and MJ.

Ron and Mary Jane,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Judy

Ron and MaryJane, our thoughts are also with you at this time. I hope the good memories help you through this difficult time.

Ron and MJ,

Have been gone for a few days and just got home. So sorry to hear of your loss. Mom sounds like a very special lady. Rest assured you are in our prayers.

Rich and Cam

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I wish to take a moment to reflect on the past couple of days and how much it means to MJ and I to have such wonderful, caring and supportive friends in all of you. Your posts here, personal notes, emails and expressions of sympathy are appreciated much more than I could ever put into words.

Yesterday was Mom’s funeral after which we gathered back at the nursing home (where Pop is still a resident) and we enjoyed some wonderful food and good remembrances with family and friends. It was also Vicki’s, our daughter, 27th birthday. It was a time of joy and sadness.

When we arrived home there was the most beautiful basket of potted plants from our “Fellow Connected Harbour Lights Collectors” with a note of Deepest Sympathy. Thank you for this living memorial to Mom. We will nourish them and always think of Mom and our Harbour Lights Family for years to come.

Also at our doorstep was a large box from Maine and in it was the Thomas Kincaid painting “Sea of Tranquility”, which we had ordered on our last trip to Portland, Maine with Ron & Shirley Drummer, friends & fellow Harbour Lights Collectors. If you are not familiar with this painting I must tell you that it has a beautiful stone lighthouse on the top of the rocks in the left side of the scene. There is a sailboat sailing into the sun, which is glowing on the horizon, and the waters are a calm blue and glistening with ripples of sunlight. You can almost hear the water lapping up against the rocks as the birds float on the ocean breezes to the right. In the distance are lights from shoreline cottages, which conjure up thoughts of who may inhabit them (what a wonderful place to live).

Both the plants and the painting couldn’t have come at a better time. They symbolize life, love and peace. Thank you all, again, from the bottom of our hearts.

Ron & MJ
(CT Keepers)

Ron and MJ,
Linda and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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Randall Ronne

Dear Ron, MJ & family,

I hope that your memories of Virginia along with the love of your friends and family bring you comfort at this time.

Joanne

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know from personal experience that even though you know it's coming it's still a shock when the time finally arrives. My prayers are with you both.

We were so sorry to hear about the death of your mom and wish to offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to both you and Mary J.. I believe that the Lord sends us little rays of sunshine during our cloudy days....the Thomas Kincaid picture and the plant you received will be a source of strength in the months to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both at this time of your loss.

With Sincere Love,
Kat and Larry

My condolences at the loss of your mother. Sounds like you have many wonderful memories of her to help comfort you and keep your memory of her strong.