Laura Konrath Obituary
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August 13, 2018
Hello Joe,
I am so sorry for your loss. I also lost my mother too soon to lung cancer in 2015. My mom was only 74.
I found your mother's obituary online doing searches about anger after the death of a loved one (who smoked). I am still angry almost 3 years later.
Like you I feel so much frustration with people who smoke. I want to tell them that while they already know the potential harm to themselves, they have no idea what their death will do to their family.
Thank you for writing this, and I hope that some who have read it will realize the emotional trauma that their preventable death will inflict upon their closest loved ones.
Mary
February 1, 2017
I teach tobacco cessation classes and will use your story as an example of how their addiction can hurt the ones they love. I see so many like your mother who are good people and love their families but are a slave to their addiction. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that the loving memories you have of your mother comfort you during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your family's story.
January 23, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a dear friend who is a smoker; she is 56 and has smoked since she was a teenager. She has a beautiful new grandson and I only hope that seeing your mom's obituary and reading the news story will make her quit. Joe, thank you for your courage in writing such a frank and heartbreaking obituary. Hopefully it will save many lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Freida Alyce Wright
January 19, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss of your dear mother. My heart goes out to you and all your family. So sorry too for all you had to witness over the years due to her serious addiction to life killing agents in cigarettes. My sympathies and prayers are with you. No one should suffer the way your mom did. So sorry for her premature loss. I hope the memories of her beautiful and caring heart carry you in the years to come. Love, prayers, and condolences.
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Wendy Filip
January 19, 2017
My deepest condolences to your family. I can relate, as my father died from complications of COPD - from smoking most of his life. My in-laws smoked and died due to it. My father-in-law died of lung cancer and my mother-in-law chose to commit suicide over quitting smoking, when her doctor gave her an ultimatum. Smoking not only kills - but it also causes incredible pain and sorrow for the family members left behind.
January 19, 2017
I'm sorry to read of your family's loss. I lost a brother ten years ago, at age 54, to the evil that is tobacco.
It is the only product I know of which, when used as intended, causes illness and death. I wish it were illegal.
Just remember the good times.
Dorothy Petraitis
January 18, 2017
I am so sorry for your stunning loss. To have watched the horrific and steady decline of a loved one hurts all those who care. Your love and anger come through loud and clear. Thank you for sharing.
Chris Simigliano
January 17, 2017
I am so sorry for you & your family's loss. Your mom's obit was very heartbreaking, but if it saves just one life...
Nancy H
January 17, 2017
My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother and grandmother. The words written were heartfelt and so powerful. I shared with my 26 year old over a pack a day smoker son. I hope this will have a positive effect but cigarettes has its grip on him right now. I know Laura's life and death will have an enormous impact on so many people. Thank you for sharing. My deepest sympathy, and so sorry for what she went through and the pain you are all feeling now.
Kay Abb
January 17, 2017
Thank you for sharing the consequences of cigarettes in this way. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for each of you as your grieve your mother/grandmother.
Kimberly
January 17, 2017
I will remember her warm smile, sense of humor and endless stories. Glad I was able to see her. Sending love and condolences.
Dawn Baran
January 16, 2017
Hi so sorry for your loss your mother's obituary was a time in my life to quit smoking and this was the inspiration for me I again I'm so sorry for your loss
Raymond Benson
January 16, 2017
Randi and I send our sincere condolences to the Konrath family.
Joan dailey
January 16, 2017
We (my sister in Michigan) and I want to tell you we loved the obituary of Laura Jean. My sister, who writes obits for our family, said "we could lay it out like that"...for those we loved. We than had a long discussion of how every movie we saw or TV when it came in,depicted smoking as glamorous. And at college I remember they walked around with free cigarettes (4 in a box)in the cafeteria on big trays. We are both in our 70's in age and thankfully never got hooked...but most of our classmates did. But I will make copies of your Mom's obit. Hoping her legacy will be to help our loved ones. THANK YOU! Joan Dailey/Barrington,illinois
Diane Schlosser
January 16, 2017
Laura's obituary was brave testimony that I will share with my students. God Bless.
Georgiann Hennelly
January 16, 2017
Our condolences to you and the family. So sorry for your loss.
T. M. Bilderback
January 15, 2017
I am so sorry for your family's loss. I'm praying for comfort for all of you.
Joe Konrath
January 15, 2017
This hurts so much. That is was preventable makes it even worse.
Melanie Borden
January 15, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss, my deepest sympathies to your family. May God give you peace during this difficult time.
Terance Charbonneau
January 15, 2017
My condolences to the family and friends.Although i do not know anyone I came across her obituary. And i felt compelled to keep reading. As of this monent at 41 yrs of age have decided to quit myself. Im gonna continue to read every other day and I will keep this promise to myself.again my sincere condolences to the family and friends
Maria Konrath
January 15, 2017
Miss you Mom!
January 15, 2017
My condolence on the loss of your mother. Thank you for the very honest and brave obituary. I have shared it with my cousin who is a Tobacco Prevention Specialist in Oklahoma with the hope that it will make a difference in someone else's life.
A Caring Friend
January 14, 2017
Laura's death was not in vain. An addiction never supersedes love.
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