We are saddened to share that Maylene Mah passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2020 at 11:24 a.m. She was surrounded by family and was hand-in-hand with her loving husband Ed of almost 63 years. Last Wednesday, the entire family gathered to say our goodbyes and enjoyed our first in-person visit together since February 29. We are grateful for the time we enjoyed with Mom despite the challenges with cancer. She lived each day fully with determination, strength, and grace despite the recurrence of the Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) in 2018 and its terminal diagnosis. She continued to amaze her doctors and care givers and exceeded expectations since entering palliative care last year (May 2019) and hospice care in October.
It has been challenging dealing with end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we adapted with frequent phone calls, video chats, through-the-glass and outdoor visits, and regular Amazon deliveries. It would not have been possible without the dedication and amazing care provided by Regency Newcastle which has maintained a COVID-19 free community and partnered with us in these last days. Together with the Kaiser Hospice Care team, Mom continued to build lasting relationships with the people who cared for her and it was gratifying and humbling to witnesses how much they truly valued their relationship with our mom.
Our recent birthday celebration with many of you was a blessing in timing — a joyous and loving celebration of our parents one day before COVID-19 changed our normal in profound ways. The memories, pictures, and virtual visits helped us through these past months as social distancing and restrictions prevented our normal interactions. We are thankful for the many well wishes and support you have provided to our mom and family.
As we continue to work through the realities of life during the pandemic, we are planning another celebration with all of you to honor our mom sometime in the new year. We will share details as they become available. Until then, please know that we are forever grateful to have had the opportunity to share our mom with you and look forward to seeing you when it is safe to do so again.
With gratitude, the Mah Family
Ed
Tracey, Bobby, Sara, and Sean
Steven, Laura, Callie, Michael, and Daniel
Scott
Robyn, Jim, and Rory