Betty Closson, my Mom: 1942-2010

BETTY ALICE LASHBROOK-CLOSSON, 67 Business Analyst/TrainerLAKELAND - Mrs. Betty Alice Lashbrook-Closson of Lakeland, FL passed away on 01/24/10 of complications from lung cancer at her home in Lakeland. She was 67 years old.

She was born in Elwood, Madison Co., IN, on February 14, 1942. Betty's career started as a soda clerk in her parent's restaurant. After marrying in 1961, the family moved to CA and she began a Service Representative for Pacific Telephone. In 1967 she went to work for General Telephone of CA. Betty and family moved to Lakeland from Los Angeles, CA in 1971. Betty worked at Peoples Bank -Lakeland until she could hire with GTE-FL and GTED-Tampa until retiring in 1995. After retiring she worked at Protel and Lockheed Martin in Lakeland and UIT-Tampa.

She is survived by her husband Lee R. Closson and her son Lee W. Closson and her brothers Kenneth Max Lashbrook, Jr. of Kingwood, TX, Robert E. Lashbrook of Ruckersville, VA, and David L. Lashbrook of Panama City, FL and Richard L. Lashbrook of Groton, CT.

Funeral services will be held on Friday January 29, 2010 at 1 P.M. at Heath Funeral Chapel.

Donations may be made to the SPCA 5850 Brannen Road South Lakeland, Fl 33813.

Condolences may be sent to the family atheathfuneralchapel.com.

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It's been almost a month since Mom passed away. I've dreaded writing this post, but can put it off no longer.

I don't really need to write a huge eulogy for Mom. She was my Mom. She was the greatest Mom that ever lived. No offense to you Moms out there. If you're a Mom, you understand that last statement. And you know Mom did her job well. Because I say she was the greatest and she damn well was.

My Mom was one of the kindest people and most noble of souls that ever lived. I loved and still love her. I miss her.

My Mom fought a good fight. The fight is over now and I, and my father, have to follow her lead. We will.

Instead of flowers, my Mom requested that donations be made through the local Lakeland SPCA. While Dad and I were standing at what would be her eventual final resting place, I got a email from one of my greatest of all friends, the one and only Cheryl.

I want to share it, because it meant so much to me.

Leebo,

Know that your Mother's wish is my command. As an animal lover as well, it was my pleasure to make a donation in her memory to the SPCA of Lakeland to the following, which I thought was a fitting way to honor her wishes:

Guardian Angel Fund - The SPCA staff does their best to estimate the costs of running a clinic, but sometimes emergencies do arise. You can help provide life-saving medical treatments to animals in need by contributing to our Guardian Angel Fund. This fund has allowed for healthier and fuller lives for many orphaned animals in the past. It has even ensured a life for those that may have had a bleaker outcome.

When you give, think of past recipients like Bradley or Henry. Bradley was a perky little chihuahua surrendered with a spinal injury rendering his rear legs useless. The funds allowed us to provide him with a set of wheels to keep him going. Henry was surrendered with a severe skin infection that the SPCA treated with the Guardian Angel funds. He is now happy and healthy!

As your Mother once found an orphaned animal in front of the Goodwill and took him in, she is now part of the Guardian Angel fund to help more orphaned animals. When you hear or read a story regarding an orphaned animal that was rescued and is receiving medical care via your SPCA, think of her and smile, knowing she was the Guardian Angel that helped make it happen.

Nothin but love - C

Thank you, C. You have no idea, and never will, how much this means to me. Your kindness reminds me very much of my Mom. I wish you both had met.

And Mom did rescue an orphaned animal tied to a tree at the Goodwill. The Goodwill people would not let her take the dog, they had to, legally, call the SPCA and have him picked up.

And my Mom visited the SPCA every day for 2 weeks seeing if someone claimed him. No one did, so she did.

Pappy's picture is below. He, like me, misses his Mom. He, like me, is going to take care of Dad.

And while there are no positives, at least for me, there is good amidst the gloom.

We've raised over $2000 for the Lakeland SPCA in Mom's name. There will be a special brick on their walkway with Mom's name on it in the near future. Mom would have liked this very much.

To make a donation in Betty Alice Closson's name you need only click here.

And...I am reuniting with my family.

I have joined the Myfamily website with the Lashbrook clan. I have reconnected on Facebook with some of my cousins I used to hang with back in the day. I have reconnected with my Drunken Uncles (oh, I saw it the night before the service and was an active participant as well) and the Wonderful Aunts that tolerate them (and me, now).

I haven't met or talked to all the fam yet. But it's a work in progress. To say my Mom would have loved that I'm reconnecting with them is a galactic understatement. There's more of this to come. It's important.

And to Debbie and Natalie... you both have been very instrumental and important, not only in keeping this reconnection dream alive, but keeping me going. Thank you for your support and your words. There has been healing in the things you have said to me. I'm glad we are talking again and I love you both right now beyond my meager literary skills allow me to portray here.

And everyone... and I do mean EVERYONE, who has been supportive of me and my father during this time... thank you. Everything is very much appreciated. There are many people who have given me their take on all this. Whether I agreed with them or not, I smiled politely because all of them meant well.

And so... we go on.

Mom certainly would not have wanted me or Dad to stop living.

I've called my recent state "walking through pudding". And I am right now. Things are different. Some things totally suck. Some things need some changes. I'm one of those things.

I know that things will work out, eventually. If you keep going, keep fairly positive, are kind to folks and work hard, good things will happen.

I will make it work, because I have a good foundation in regards to survival, which I give my parents every credit.

Through it all...I'm going to keep walking through that pudding. And I'm going to keep swinging.

That's been our family's way.

And that was my Mom's way.

BETTY CLOSSON

Mother, Friend, Fighter, Inspiration

1942 -2010

I love you, Mom.