I am planning a celebration of life for my mother, Patricia Arthur, at a small venue in the town we called home for so many years. She passed away after a two week coma, which itself was sudden, and I have come into the responsibility of honoring my mother's life and accomplishments.

Her death was so sudden that no plans were made, no funds set aside, and I would like to reach out to the community for assistance in what is the most difficult and lonely time in my life.

My mother raised me my entire life and I have spent the better part of my 27 years with her, and she was everything to me. She taught me everything and cared for me ( mostly ) on her own my entire life. Anyone who knows my mother knows that I echo her in so many ways, her voice, her sense of humor, her sense of justice. She was a loyal friend to a fault, a wife, a mother, and a sister, and I want to honor her life as best as I can, because that is what she deserves.

My mother was not keen on a large or elaborate service and I am not either --- the funds I receive will go towards venue charges, food and refreshment charges, towards urns, decor for the service. Pretty much anything incurred by her death, these funds will assist me with. I'm trying to budget it, but surprises happen and I'm very quickly discovering that a lot of them come with a price tag.