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Peace Patriot

(24,010 posts)
Mon Apr 11, 2016, 02:18 AM Apr 2016

Obit says donate to Bernie Sanders in lieu of flowers!

I came across this obituary for Deborah Neher Applegate in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat (in California) yesterday. I don't know if it was Deborah Neher Applegate's last wish for people to donate to Bernie Sanders' campaign, or if this was done by consensus of her family because she was a big Sanders supporter. But I have to say that it's THE most unique endorsement for a presidential candidate that I've ever seen, or probably that ever was:

APPLEGATE, Deborah Neher November 16, 1941 - April 4, 2016 Was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Summit, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963 and obtained a Master's degree in social work from Columbia University in 1975. Mother of Charles and Jennifer, both of Santa Rosa, and grandmother of Tim. Deborah deeply enjoyed her practice of clinical social work. Her introduction to social work was working with welfare recipients in East Harlem, New York. After earning her Master's, she practiced in a hospital setting before relocating with her husband and children to Massachusetts. She then became a clinical supervisor in a mental health clinic, where she served for eight years before opening a private practice. After moving to Massachusetts, the family lived for twenty years in a historic home, built in 1732, which Deborah and her husband lovingly refurbished and maintained. In 1998, they moved to Sonoma County, where she continued her clinical practice with Sonoma County Health Services. After her divorce in 2001, Deborah bought a home in Santa Rosa and worked with community leaders to get the neighborhood designated as a historic district. A lifelong cook and a constant reader, she also became an avid gardener and a member of informal local hiking groups. In 2008, Deborah's daughter, Jennifer, moved in with her for what was intended to be a short-term stay but turned into nearly eight years of happily living together "more like sisters or friends" than mother and daughter. She was delighted by her son's marriage to Jill Decker of Napa, and equally delighted by the birth of their son, Timothy. Twice a year, Deborah spent several weeks with her cousin and best friend, Melissa Cummins Horvath of Cherry Valley, New York. These visits were marked by near-constant laughter and shared memories. Deborah retired from practice in December of 2014, and enjoyed increased gardening time and visits with friends and family. She started volunteering at the Northwest Regional branch of the Sonoma County Library in 2015. She will be greatly missed by friends and family alike. No memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders or to the Sonoma Humane Society.

Published Online in the Press Democrat from Apr. 9 to Apr. 11, 2016

(my empasis)
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=deborah-neher-applegate&pid=179560721#sthash.hCiutO4D.dpuf
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=deborah-neher-applegate&pid=179560721


(Note: The obit kindly provides the alternative of a non-partisan donation to the Humane Society.)

GO BERNIE! And be kind to all critters!
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Obit says donate to Bernie Sanders in lieu of flowers! (Original Post) Peace Patriot Apr 2016 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author jfern Apr 2016 #1
Not sure what you mean. California primary is June 7. Peace Patriot Apr 2016 #3
Oops, I just saw Illinois, never mind. jfern Apr 2016 #5
What a wonderful and touching obituary. A great lady and obviously loved. beam me up scottie Apr 2016 #2
RIP dear woman Zira Apr 2016 #4
It sounds like she led a wonderful life with her heart always in the right place. senz Apr 2016 #6

Response to Peace Patriot (Original post)

Peace Patriot

(24,010 posts)
3. Not sure what you mean. California primary is June 7.
Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:20 AM
Apr 2016

So, no, Deborah Neher Applegate DIDN'T get to vote. Perhaps that is why she, or her family, made this request to donate to the Sanders campaign.

What struck me about it is the passionate commitment to Bernie Sanders of this California woman and/or her California family that they would think to include this in her obituary. THAT is commitment!

It's just one person--a person who was dying--and/or just one family--a family now in mourning--but it may be a small but telling indicator of a larger revolutionary movement out here in the West, which will put Senator Sanders in the White House and create a government "of, by and for" the people once again.

beam me up scottie

(57,349 posts)
2. What a wonderful and touching obituary. A great lady and obviously loved.
Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:00 AM
Apr 2016

I asked for donations to the animal shelter in lieu of flowers for my mom too, it's what she would have wanted.

 

senz

(11,945 posts)
6. It sounds like she led a wonderful life with her heart always in the right place.
Mon Apr 11, 2016, 03:46 AM
Apr 2016

Definitely a Bernie supporter, too.

What it means to me is that this 74 year old woman understood the importance of Bernie's candidacy for generations to come and this is what she wanted, or her family thought she'd want, to leave to us all.

Makes perfect head and heart sense.

RIP Mrs. Applegate.

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