Mom, 

I miss you so very much.  I am so blessed to have had you in my life for so many years. There is  just no one like you.  I will love you and hold you so close in my heart forever.

Sandie, Harvey and Danielle.

Whishing you heartfelt confort during this difficult time.
Maria Luisa

July 25, 2013
Dear Mom,
I will never forget the early years when I was a small child growing up in Winona, Minnesota.  One of the greatest memories I have was our family camping trips, time spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and our trips on the train across and along the Mississippi River, traveling to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. We would spend the day there shopping and I remember how I felt so grown up with my own money that you gave me to spend.  You always made those trips so special, never failing to end the day with an ice cream sundae before taking our trip back home. 
When we moved to California when I was 11, you were always there for me through my adolescence and teenage years.  You were always so kind, patient and gracious with my friends, and at times I honestly don't know how you did it.  To see you and so Dad happy together and feel the love that existed between you two during those years gave me such a sense of security growing up.  If there was only one thing I could say about you, it would be the unconditional love and concern you always had for me. It created such a positive impact on my outlook and happiness in life, really shaping my life.  
And then along came granddaughter Dani, and how you and Dad loved her, babysitting for us so many times and making it special for her each time.  I am so glad she got to experience the same kind of time I was able to have with my grandparents.  She and I still have so much fun talking about all the fun experiences she had while being there with you and Dad.
I am so thankful for all the times you and Dad had together, your travels near and far, the dances you went to, and your spunky and adventurous spirit, always full of fun.  With all of this though, you both loved your everyday life and took such pleasure in enjoying the simple things in life.
I remember the day you declared to Dad that you were done cooking.  You both moved to Inn at the Park Assisted Living by UCI and had almost 5 more great years there, making so many friends.  You both were the couple everyone wanted to sit by. You always wheeled the less fortunate up to the dessert bar to make sure they got their dessert and had help.  Dad was quite a joker there, and even though Harvey, Dani and I thought Dad was hilarious at times, you didn't always find his jokes so funny!! 
It was soon after Dad died in 2004 that a special lady, Maria Luisa came into your life. She cared for you, living with you a couple years across the street from us.  She was such a support to you the rest of your 9 years, always being there for you whenever she could, helping me with your doctor visits and other outings, and visiting you several times a week.  Mom, we couldn't have done it without her.  I always told Maria Luisa she was sent to us as our angel and I believed that with all my heart.
Your last year was a tough one for you, and I knew the day was not far off that I would have to say goodbye to you.  You had so many wonderful years to know and be with Harvey, and frequently when I went to your house and met a new caregiver, he or she would say, “Who is this Harvey guy?”  You always asked for him, loved him so much and always got a big smile on your face for him when we came to see you.
During this last year, you said so many times, “I want to go home”.  But one night, about ten days before you died, Harvey and I went to your house in the late hours because you were not doing well.  As you always did though, you bounced back.  After we left your house, the special caregiver that was with you, also named Maria  told me a story.  She said as she was tucking you in and turning you briefly on your side facing the wall you said, “Mother and Father, I want to go with you.”  Then you turned back over and said to her, “My Mother and Father are there.  Please let me go home.” The caregivers at your house, and especially Cecy, Maria, and Carlos were so good to you.   The only thing that is helping me get through in losing you is knowing you are finally home, with Dad and your parents welcoming you with open arms, meeting Jesus while all of Heaven rejoices.  No more sadness or suffering here on earth.  Mom, similar to the verses in a song I always loved, there is one thing I know in my heart you always knew.  Your daughter didn't love you just now and then……it was a love without end.    Sandie

To Mom With Love

Mom, I remember you as a tender and loving parent who remained devoted to your children all your life.  You were a great cook and every time I came for a visit to you and Dad, you would whip up all of my favorite dishes and I would eat like a king.  When it came time to leave, you would always cry your eyes out and I was never sure how to comfort you, so I promised to call you as soon as I got home.

I can recall many stories about you and I will recount a few of them in hopes that they capture a bit of  your quirky and fun-loving personality.  I remember you telling me about your childhood and the adventures you had with your cousin Mary, who was your lifelong best friend.  In elementary school the two of you were very mischievous and loved pranks.  One of your favorites was to place a wallet on the sidewalk in front of your house and then hide behind a hedge with a thread tied to the wallet.  When someone walked by and tried to pick up the wallet, you yanked the thread and then jumped up laughing with glee.  

As a parent, you were not above using trickery to keep us kids in line.  I used to love to tease  poor Sandie, mainly out of boredom.  Whenever Dad caught me doing this he became furious and I had to run for my life.  But Mom used a different approach.  She conned me into believing that she had a “weak heart.”  When I teased Sandie and we got into a fight, she would enter the room clutching her chest and feighning a heart attack.  I would immediately withdraw in horror.  Years later I finally figured out her scheme, but fortunately by then I was mature enough to behave myself and it didn't matter.

Mom, you always loved to enter prize contests, and used to drive me crazy every time we went shopping.  You'd stop and fill out form after form registering for some give-away while I waited in boredom.  I kept telling you not to waste our time, as you never won anything, but my protests were in vain.  Then one day when I was home from college we went to Sears looking at luggage for my upcoming semester overseas.  As usual, you registered and I complained.  The very next day the phone rang and you told me it was Sears and you had won a $200 gift certificate.  I had to eat my words, and thanks to you I ended up with a very nice set of luggage which lasted me for years.

I know it's impossible to encapsulate your life in a few short paragraphs, but I hope these anecdotes offer a glimpse of the wonderful and fascinating mother you were.  I'll always be grateful for the love you gave me and I will treasure these memories forever.  Rick

Grandma,
 
I've never seen a person light up a room and the people in it, the way you do.  You always exemplified a kind woman chalk full of love and grace. Your sweet smile and adorable little giggle could warm even the coldest heart. I will miss kissing your sweet face and the touch of your soft skin so much.  
 
You've always watched over me.  When I was little, you always made sure this picky eater had something in her stomach.  I often wonder how many French toast breakfasts and grilled cheese sandwiches you made over the years.  In the afternoon you let me “help” with dinner by sitting me at the table with a bowl, a wooden spoon, flour and water.  As you would cut and prepare the vegetables, I was busy making my dough appetizers, which amazingly turned into soup by just adding water.   This is when my passion for cooking started and I have you to thank for that.
 
You helped teach me what it means to be a lady.  While your favorite color was pink, you sure loved red lipstick and nail polish. They were the finishing touches to a woman who always had incredible manners and defined grace. So many of the lessons learned about life, and being a beautiful and upstanding woman, was because of you.  You were the prime example of what all little girls want to become.  Along with being loving, caring and kind, you always exuded politeness and appreciation. 
 
Grandma your strength is inspiring beyond words.  Through our numerous trips to the ER and hospital stays, you were always so grateful and a shinning example of what can happen if you never give up. You always thanked the doctors and nursing staff, regardless of how much they poked and prodded you.  I don't recall a single hospital visit where we left without a nurse or doctor telling me how sweet and beautiful inside and out, you were. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a sweet grandmother, and I recognized daily how rare of a blessing you truly were. Although I wish you were anywhere but a hospital, it encouraged us to spend more time together, and because of that, I have even more conversations and memories of bonding with you that I'll cherish forever. 
 
My favorite thing about you was how you showered me in unconditional love.  Although I may not feel your hand in mine, or get to hold you in my embrace, I take comfort knowing my angel on earth has flown to heaven and will continue pouring love upon me from above.

I will love and miss you always,

Danielle

"The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Many years have past, and with so many miles between us, I'm so thankful our families have kept in touch. May God bless.

OBITUARY

Hazel Marie Tezak

7 November, 1913 – 20 July, 2013

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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