Valley of Life | Online Memorial Blog

Don’t Count on Life Insurance to Pay for Your Funeral Expenses

Flora — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:00:19 +0000

Life insurance, according to insurance sales people, is something parents who truly love their families purchase. While life insurance can tremendously help your family financially after you die, don’t expect your family to receive any money right away. One of the biggest sales pitches agents use to get people to purchase life insurance is that [...]

Mistaken Identity with Bittersweet Results

Flora — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:48:57 +0000

About a week ago, the evening for a group of young adults from Arizona ended tragically after a fatal car accident. Abby Guerra, age 19, and four of her friends were returning from Disneyland when their car crashed on the way home. Officials reported that Guerra and her friend, Tyler Parker, died as a result. Mistaken [...]

Veteran Journalist Daniel Schorr Dies at 93

Flora — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:44:29 +0000

Daniel Schorr, who covered the news for more than 60 years and won three Emmy Awards, died today of a “short illness” at the age of 93, according to the Associated Press. Schorr career began as a print journalist when he worked on his high school newspaper. He later worked for the Jewish Daily Bulletin after [...]

Online Memorials Can Help Facebook Users Truly Memorialize Lost Friends

Flora — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Facebook has a problem with ghosts. Facebook users keep receiving prompts to send a message to people on their friends who have died, which is disturbing to many. It is Hard to Reconnect The New York Times reports that more individuals over the age of 65 are creating accounts on the social networking site more than ever, [...]

A Soldier’s Widow Gives New Meaning to Mourning

Flora — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:00:39 +0000

On his last day of service, Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, was diffusing a roadside bomb in Afghanistan when it blew up and took his and another soldier’s life. He left behind a wife, Christina Schmid, and stepson. For his service, Staff Sergeant Schmid of the UK was awarded the George Cross. A Different Way to [...]

Toddler’s Legacy Continues More than a Decade Later

Flora — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:00:10 +0000

Twelve-years-ago, Danny Keysar ate lunch, laid down for a nap and proceeded to do what many toddlers his age do. The 16-month-old woke from his nap early and got to his feet. However, according to Philly.com, Danny’s neck got caught in the collapsible side-rail of the portable crib and choked to death. Although the v-shaped [...]

Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner Dies from Heart Attack

Flora — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:11:19 +0000

Less than 10 days after his July 4 birthday, George Steinbrenner III, 80, died this morning at about 6:30 a.m. The famous New York Yankees suffered a massive heart attack in Tampa, Fla. This death comes just two days after the death of the Yankee’s “Voice of God,” Bob Sheppard. Steinbrenner, as the Yankees’ “boss” since [...]

Popular Actress Details the Unplanned Death of Her Husband

Flora — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:00:36 +0000

Actor Natascha McElhone details her grief following the unexpected death of her husband in her new book, After You. The book is composed of letters McElhone wrote to her late husband, Martin Kelly, after he died. At the time of Kelly’s death, McElhone was pregnant with their third child and no one suspected the seemingly [...]

The Voice of “Speed Racer,” Peter Fernandez, Dies at 83

Flora — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:00:20 +0000

Peter Fernandez, who helped launch the hugely popular animated series “Speed Racer” to success died on July 15, 2010 of lung cancer at the age of 83. Fernandez provided the voices for the characters Speed Racer and Racer X in 1967 for the 52-episodecartoon series. In addition, Fernandez wrote the show’s catchy theme song, scripts for [...]

Baseball’s “Voice of God,” Bob Sheppard, Dies at Age 99

Flora — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:18:50 +0000

Yankee’s announcer Bob Sheppard, nicknamed the “Voice of God,” died on July 11, 2010 at the age of 99. Sheppard, who retired in 2007, earned his nickname because of the unimpeachable introductions he gave baseball starts such as Derek Jeter and Joe DiMaggio. Earning his master’s degree from Columbia University in 1933, and working as a [...]

Korean War Memorial Built on New Bedford Road

Flora — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:00:25 +0000

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, a memorial was build on a stretch of highway that connects Acushnet Avenue, at Exit 6, to Route 140 in New Bedford, Connecticut. Korean War veteran Roland Gendron helped make the memorial roadway possible. Gendron enlisted the assistance of Representative Robert Koczera [...]

Memorial to Honor the Newly Fallen

Flora — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:00:11 +0000

A Buffalo, New York memorial, which will have a public dedication on September 11, 2010, will honor those who lost their lives in the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Designs for the monument were unveiled Saturday at Forest Lawn’s Field of Valour. Treating Service Members with Deserved Respect The monument, which is [...]

People of the Congo Mourn for Two Days

Flora — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:43 +0000

In honor of the more than 200 people that died in a recent fire, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, stated the country would mourn for two days. During the days of mourning, the country’s flag would fly at half-mast around the nation in the victims’ memory. A Fire that Came with [...]

Teen Did Not Tell Family of Her Whereabouts, Dies after a Rave

Flora — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:37:20 +0000

Fifteen-year-old Sasha Rodriguez’s life ended tragically early from drug intoxication after she attended a recent rave at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. According to an “L.A. Times” report, the teen took ecstasy, became dehydrated, passed out and hit her head. Rodriguez’s friend tried to shield her from the crowd, but people stepped on the girls nevertheless. [...]

Senator Robert Byrd Honored in Senate Today

Flora — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:05:15 +0000

The U.S. senator from West Virginia, Robert Carlyle Byrd, was honored today in the Senate. Byrd was admitted to the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax County, Virginia on June 27, 2010 for what the media believes was complications from heat stroke and dehydration. The 92-year-old senator became “seriously ill” while in the hospital, and died [...]

Appropriate Funeral Behavior

Flora — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:00:58 +0000

When you have to go to a funeral or memorial service, it can be hard to know how to act or what is appropriate. The following is a guide to help ensure you do not make a difficult situation awkward. Dress appropriately. Although all-black clothing is the traditional couture for a funeral, it is more acceptable [...]

Remembering the King of Pop

Flora — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:15:59 +0000

A year after pop singer Michael Jackson’s unexpected death, his legacy still lives through his music. “Access Hollywood” reports the King of Pop has sold about 35 million albums in the last 12 months. Jackson died in 2009 after having a fatal amount of anesthesia and sedatives administered to him. While there has been no shortage [...]

Biloxi to Memorialize Katrina Victims

Flora — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:00:13 +0000

As the five-year anniversary of the deadly Hurricane Katrina approaches, the city of Biloxi, Miss., plans to create a memorial on the Town Green that will list the names of nearly 170 people who died or are missing because of the storm. Finishing What was Started In 2006, volunteers with ABC’s television show Extreme Makeover—Home Edition [...]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washed to Honor Fallen Fathers

Flora — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:00:44 +0000

In honor of Father’s Day, the Sons and Daughters in Touch washed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to honor fallen fathers who fought in the Vietnam War and to commemorate the support group’s 20th anniversary. According to CNN, about one-third (20,000) of military personnel who served in Vietnam were killed or declared MIA [...]

Raymond Parks, NASCAR Pioneer and Team Owner, Dead at 96

Flora — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:10:23 +0000

Raymond Parks, the owner of NASCAR record setter Red Byron’s car, died on Sunday, June 20, in Atlanta. Parks, who was born on June 5, 1914, was also well known as a moonshine runner who later helped start NASCAR by winning the first two NASCAR championships. Early Years Parks, who was the eldest of 16 children, left [...]

Creator of “Voltron,” Peter Keefe, Dies at 57

Flora — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:00:55 +0000

Peter Keefe, creator of the popular 1980 animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe, died of throat cancer on May 27, 2010 in Rochester, NY. The New York Times reports the cartoon series paved the way for other popular animated Japanese-style animated cartoon shows. Born in 1952, Keefe started his television career as a movie critic [...]

Jimmy Dean Dies at 81

Flora — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:00:14 +0000

Country singer and entrepreneur Jimmy Dean died on June 13, 2010 in Henrico County, Virginia. The New York Times reports, “(Donna Mead Dean) told The Associated Press that Mr. Dean had health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock. She said he was eating in front of the television. [...]

Mandela Mourns Loss of Granddaughter

Flora — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:34:20 +0000

Nelson Mandela cancelled plans to attend the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup opening in South Africa and its accompanying ceremonies on Friday, June 11, 2010 when he learned about the tragic death of his granddaughter, Zenani Mandela. The AFP reports that Ms. Mandela died in an auto accident following a pre-ceremony concert in Soweto. Local police [...]

Father’s Day Memorial Ideas

Flora — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:00:52 +0000

Father’s Day can be a tough day for families that have lost a father. Families in this situation can use this special day of the year to remember and honor fathers with tributes, memorials or new traditions. Father’s Day Memorial Ideas Remember him with stories. If the loss of a father is recent for a family, do [...]

Drunk Driver Uses His Story to Memorialize His Victim

Flora — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:00:08 +0000

At the age of 19, Danny McCoy never thought he would be responsible for the death of a high school senior girl he hardly knew, Alex Everhart. McCoy, a Marine at the time, made the decision to drink, drive and allow a passenger in his vehicle while he was under the influence of alcohol. The [...]

Grief Counselors Important for Young Grievers

Flora — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:00:21 +0000

This end of the school year has proven fatal for many children and teens. One cannot help but notice headlines filled with abuse or other violence that ended the lives of innocent children. Teens are mourning the loss of their friends who died in auto collisions after prom or from alcohol use. What headlines often [...]

The #1 Way to Save Money on Funeral Expenses

Flora — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:00:17 +0000

Grieving families often feel pressured to make decisions quickly and don’t have the time or inclination to shop around for the best deals on funeral services. The solution: Preplan your funeral TODAY. When you preplan your funeral, you can save your family both stress and money by making careful, educated decisions. Advantages of Preplanning Your Funeral Avoid [...]

Former UCLA Coach John Wooden Dies at 99

Flora — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:28:36 +0000

John Wooden, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach, died on June 4, 2010. Wooden is known for winning ten NCAA championships as UCLA’s basketball coach over the span of 12 years. Wooden began his coaching career at Kentucky and Indiana high schools. During this time, Wooden joined the Navy [...]

“Golden Girls” Actress Rue McClanahan Dies at 76

Flora — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:00:29 +0000

Rue McClanahan died yesterday from a stroke that resulted in a fatal brain hemorrhage. She was known as the Golden Girls TV character “Blanche” to her fans, a role that won McClanahan an Emmy Award in 1987. McClanahan began her career with off-Broadway theater productions. In 1969, she made her Broadway debut in a play that [...]

Young Mother is Ready for Her Funeral

Flora — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:00:35 +0000

Marcela Enriquez of Sylmar, Calif., is a healthy 31-year-old mother of a daughter who is not even a year old. Enriquez already has her funeral planned, an urn purchased and a prepaid plan to have her body cremated when the time comes. The LA Daily News reported recently that more and more Americans are prearranging their [...]