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Verona Slaugh died last week.  She was 93 years old.

I hadn't known Verona very long.  But I knew enough.  I knew I wanted to be like her someday.

Verona is the mother of my friend, Marianna.  Marianna was the 12th of 13 children.  Marianna was caring for her mom in her home in the most dignified and loving way.  The sacrifice and selflessness was so moving.

I was Verona's Visiting Teacher – asked by our women's organization to look after, befriend and love on her.  She was never able to make it to church.  Being homebound didn't seem to faze her though. 

On the Sunday before she died I felt impressed that I needed to skip our Relief Society meeting and head over to see Verona…I knew that she had experienced a rough couple of weeks physically.  So I took one of my favorite books and decided I would read to her.  And so I spent an hour reading, letting her hold my arm, rubbing her hands and visiting.  When I was getting up to leave I said, "I'll try to come later in the week and check on you…maybe read some more". 

She answered, "Oh I hope I'll be gone by then".  I giggled at the honesty and when her daughter told me she was praying to be able to "go home", I told her I would change my own prayers on her behalf as well.  After 93 amazing, wonderful years, she was ready to go reunite with her sweetheart and leave the physical body that was causing her so much anguish.

Honest, kind, funny, smart as a whip…had the scriptures memorized backwards and forewards, wise, gracious and stalwart.

Her children say they never heard her raise her voice…ever.

My children will NOT (sadly) be able to say that about me…but maybe, just maybe, I will be able to wear some of those other adjectives that best-described Verona.

I will ever be glad for my short and sweet association with this dear woman.