Although Joe Konrath begged his mother to stop smoking, he said she never considered kicking the habit.
When cigarette smoking ultimately led to her death, Konrath wrote an unusually frank death notice to serve as a cautionary tale to others.
Laura Jean Konrath, 71, who lived in Bensenville, died on Jan. 11, her family said.
Instead of listing typical details about education, work history and services, her death notice — which appeared online and in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune — detailed how 50 years of smoking contributed to her declining health.
“Her family is angry that she suffered so much and died so young. They’re especially angry that she chose cigarettes over living a longer, healthier life, even though lung cancer killed her father,” said the death notice written by Konrath, an author who has published novels and short stories.
She suffered four strokes, two heart attacks, blockage in three coronary arteries, occlusions that cut off circulation in both legs, pneumonia, kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, paralysis and 10 weeks in the hospital enduring constant pain, according to the death notice.
Additionally, a stroke left her hospitalized and at times lucid but at other times delusional, angry, depressed and crying hysterically, Konrath said Wednesday.
“My mother was a wonderful person and her death was horrible and preventable. No one should have to go through what she went through or have their loved ones witness that,” he said.
Cigarette smoking causes about 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S., accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationwide, an estimated 36.5 million adults smoke cigarettes, the CDC said.
“My mother never listened to me when I pleaded with her to stop smoking. Maybe this will reach some people because I could not reach her,” Konrath said. “I did not want to write this. What I want is my mom still alive.”
People have offered their condolences on social media, and friends and strangers have signed the online guest book.
“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,” a woman from Lake Bluff wrote in the online guest book Tuesday.
Others found the death notice to be inspiring and hopeful.
“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,” Dawn Baran, of Chicago, wrote in the online guest book Monday.
“I am so sorry for you & your family’s loss. Your mom’s obit was very heartbreaking, but if it saves just one life.” wrote Chris Simigliano, of Brookfield, on Tuesday.
Konrath said he understands addiction is difficult but pointed out that there are ways to quit smoking. The last sentence of the death notice encouraged readers to show it to a smoker they care about.
“When she was dying, I asked, ‘Was it worth it?’ — 50 years of smoking — and she said no, she wished she never started,” her son said Wednesday.
Laura Jean Konrath also is survived by her son Mike, her daughters-in-law Maria and Erin, and her grandchildren, Chris, John, Talon and Fiona.
Twitter @lvivanco
