From the obituary

May they rest in peace

"Jeffrey Robert Conn, 75, and Linda Kay Conn, 76, of Sylvania, died days apart during Thanksgiving week from COVID-19," begins a recent obituary for an Ohio couple. I didn't know the Conns and although they were pretty well known in their own community, folks outside of that small Toledo suburb probably wouldn't recognize their name. I'm writing about them though because of words their children wrote in their parent's obituary.

"In lieu of flowers the family requests that you simply wear a mask when you are out in public and practice social distancing. It is not a difficult thing to do. It is not an infringement on your freedom or civil liberties. It is literally the least, smallest thing you can do to help reduce the risk that vulnerable members of our community will die unnecessarily and leave their loved ones heartbroken and devastated."

Wise words and accurate ones too. The newspaper account also said "Jeff and Linda will be remembered by their children as the most loving, caring, supportive, protective and generous parents any child could hope for." They sound like wonderful people. I know they will long be remembered. I'll remember their children for the important message they sent in their time of grief: "wear a mask when you are out in public and practice social distancing."