Viola Vi Morrill, 89
You only lose your mother once.
Viola “Vi” M. Sergeant Morrill
Post Falls, Idaho
Sept. 1923 to March 2012
It had started to snow while I was waiting for the first responders to get to my mother’s house to take her to the Emergency Room for what we didn’t know at the time would be the last time she would leave her home of 20 years.
We knew the news wasn’t good, but we hadn’t even had time to think about the end of her life being so near. Cancer had taken its toll and we had only known about it for a couple of weeks.
So, as I look at the days before she died I see things a little different. While I was shoveling that white fluffy snow from the driveway so the medical crew would have a little easier time getting mom to the ambulance, I was thinking “why does it have to be snowing right now?” Looking back, I believe it was sent by angels to let us know she was going to receive a soft ride to Heaven.
While she was in the hospital, she wasn’t thinking about what was happening to her. No. All she was concerned about was her family. As each family member would leave the room for the night she would say “You kids be careful on the roads.”
After a two day stay in the Hospital cancer center Mom was taken to Hospice House in Hayden. What a wonderful place. It is peaceful and quiet, and the entire staff was very caring. If she couldn’t be home, this was the next best place.
Family and friends were stopping to visit her and as each of them came through the door mom lit up like a Christmas tree. She loved them all and enjoyed the company.
The day before she died the weather started out cloudy but by noon the clouds parted and the sun continued to shine down on us for the rest of the day. I know she enjoyed it even though she could no longer speak. It was nice to see the sun but I believe mom saw a little more than that. I think she saw angels on the edges of the clouds looking down telling her it wasn’t going to be long before she would be reunited with her late husband Jack and the many family members and friends that had passed.
The next morning was cold and damp. In the late morning a soft rain began to fall. Angels’ tears telling us they were taking her to Heaven. With family and friends by her side, she passed away in her sleep.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years John J. “Jack” Morrill. Mother, Mable Williamson Sergeant. Father, Oliver F. Sergeant. Brothers, Charles, Freddie and Burt Sergeant. Lifelong friends Wayne and Lorell Joseph, Brother in-in law and sister-in-law Robert ”Uncle Bob” and Helen “Auntie Helen” Liddell.
Surviving family and friends include Sons David C. Morrill and wife Daisy, Athol; John F. Morrill and wife Linda, Hauser, Idaho. Grandson Michael S. Morrill and wife Angelique, Salt Lake City, Utah. Grand- daughters Christine Morrill Rusho and husband Calvin, Post Falls; Diane Ross, New Zealand. Great grandsons Kyle Rusho, Post Falls; Foster Morrill, Salt Lake City; Oliver and Ehren Coleman, New Zealand. Great granddaughters Kacey Rusho, Post Falls; and Kareena Morrill, Salt Lake City. Nieces Robin Liddell Knighten and husband Jerry; Kathy Liddell Lowrey and hus- band Frank; Debbie Liddell Bailey and husband Ernie. Nephew Mike Liddell and wife Rose. Goddaughter Judi Joseph Atwell and husband Butch, Anderson, Calif. Friends Jan and Lloyd Hannink, Spokane, and mom’s many friends from the Spokane Valley Camera Club. The special neighbors that kept her driveway shoveled and the mail taken to her door, David and Melissa Heck and Randy and Susanne Ramage.
A special “Thank You” to Dr. Chambers of Ironwood Family Practice for going the extra mile in helping our family during our time of need, even though mom was not a regular patient of yours.
Hospice of North Idaho and Hospice House of North Idaho, what a class outfit you are. From the first step in the front door till mom passed away, we were treated with the utmost respect and kindness. We can’t thank you enough. Dr. Ancker, you and the entire staff are very special people.
At mom’s request, a private family service will be held. If you want to send a donation to Hospice of North Idaho (a nonprofit Hospice) and/or any cancer re-search group, please feel free to do so.
Please visit Vi’s memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.