This painting is the harbor in Copenhagen. It has been painted in fond memory of Lise, the mother of Mads, who is the godson of john and joyce. Lise died of an incurable nerve disorder during the month of July 2011. She was only 65 years old, and was such a delightful person. She leaves behind her husband Ulf, her son Mads, Mette (Mads girlfriend), Mads and Mette's son Albert, her daughter Sofie and Sofie's boyfriend Jens Peter. Anthem by Leonard Cohan was one of Lise's favorite songs. It was played at her funeral held July 17th in Copenhagen.

This painting is not for sale. It is very fondly part of john and joyce's personal collection.

Lise is being sorely missed by all who knew her!

Here is an email from Ulf:

Dear Joyce and John,

First of all we thank you for the beautiful flowers you sent to us.

Lise’s illness developed very fast the last months. Seeing Lise everyday it was difficult for me to see the changes, but friends that came to see us with just a week’s separation saw it clearly.

Of course, Lise felt her weakening very much, as she could not walk alone from our bedroom to the toilet og sitting room without support from me or another person the last 2 weeks.

We knew from the very beginning that Lise would die from this disease. First it was very difficult for us to handle, but later we had to accept the hard facts. Lise decided very early, that if she were not able to breathe by herself anymore, she would not accept to be treated with a permanent respirator even it could be done at home. That would have tied her up to a machine and her bed and with nursing personnel around 24 hours each day. She did not feel that she could live with dignity in that case.

When we came to the hospital 9th in the evening and she were ventilated it became very soon clear, that she could only live with a permanent respirator. She refused that but with the children and me around her, we had some very fine hours in a farewell, we all will remember as a beautiful moment in our life together with mother and wife – our dearest Lise. Before we left the hospital she said that we should have champagne when we got home and she should have some in her tube. At home Lise was placed in her bed by the ambulance people and the doctor that followed from the hospital. He gave Lise medicine so she could relax and after a short time she dozed off and fell asleep and she didn’t wake up again.

The funeral was attended by many, many friends and former colleagues to Lise. The priest held a very fine speech remembering the bright sides of our life together.

Lise was very fond of the music by Leonard Cohen and during the service in the church we played the song “Anthem”. It is really beautiful and you can probably find it on the net.

With love from

Mads, Mette and Albert, Sofie and Jens Peter (Sofie’s boyfriend) and Ulf

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