Olivia LaMotte, 1933-2025

A little over a month ago, I was sitting next to my amazing mother when she drew her last breath. Dad was asleep nearby. My sisters had both spent the whole day looking out for her, and had each left to get some sleep. They have both shouldered so much of the caretaking over the last year, and before, and I am so grateful for the ways they have loved Mom, Dad, and the whole family. My brother in Florida was not able to be in North Carolina, but was in close touch with Dad and was present and supportive across the distance.

It is a hard loss, but I am deeply grateful that my relationship with Mom was clear and beautiful, and there was nothing left unsaid. I felt her love, and feel it, so deeply. She understood mine, as well. I will never be ready to live in a world where I can’t hold her hand or give her a call and hear her laugh. Still, my gratitude for the long and beautiful life she led overwhelms my sadness much of the time. Though it is devastating to lose her, there is nothing ‘wrong’ in her going after such a well-run race. There is a certain kind of beauty in a clean grief.

I have been pretty absent in the wider world for the last couple of months, as I navigate this, and still show up in the spaces where I have committed to be present. As I find my way back to the wider world, I want to honor this amazing life and love, and speak my gratitude, not only for my own relationship with her, but also for her presence on the planet. She made it a better place just by being here.

It has been moving to see her so beautifully celebrated in so many places, and by so many people. Her death was the lead story on the local TV news in Roanoke, Virginia, where she founded their chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which has now built nearly 300 homes. They will dedicate a new home to her in August.

There will be more Mom stories to share, but for now, here is her obituary, if you are inclined to learn more about her. She led a fascinating and courageous life, and she showed me how it’s done in so many different ways. I dearly hope that I can carry forward some of the light she shone.

Olivia Ann Bishop LaMotte
10/28/1933 – 5/23/2025

I am moved by the presence of the hundreds of people who attended her memorial service, and we are so grateful to the many folks who have sent cards and notes, and who have checked in since. The memorial service video is here, if you would like to watch it.

Thanks so much for all of the kindness and compassion that has come our way in the face of this painful letting go. May we live and love better for having known such a fine example of living and loving so well.

— David