(ANTIMEDIA) A popular question often arises in election years: “If you had to pick a candidate, who would it be?” Some might say, albeit in jest, that forced to choose between Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and a gun to their head, they’d probably choose the gun.
According to one satirical line in a real obituary, however, one woman actually did choose death.
“Faced with the prospect of voting for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, Mary Anne Noland of Richmond chose, instead, to pass into the eternal love of God on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the age of 68,” reads an obituary for a Virginia woman who recently died of lung cancer.
Of course, the obituary was written to be comical, and as Jim Noland, her surviving husband said, “The line wasn’t meant as a parting shot at either presidential candidate,” local ABC affiliate WTVM reported. “Rather it was a joke and way for Mary Anne’s children to carry on her sense of humor.”
Either way — and regardless of how Mary Anne Norland felt about the current election — the obituary highlights the general sentiments of millions of Americans. According to polls, a majority of Americans dislike both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. A consistent majority of Americans views Clinton unfavorably while 65 percent of Americans have a negative view of Trump.
Independent of who wrote the obituary, the most striking part of it may not be the humor about the presidential race, but how Mary Anne Noland lived her life.
“A faithful child of God, Mary Anne devoted her life to sharing the love she received from Christ with all whose lives she touched as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend and nurse,” her obituary reads.
She spent her life working as a wound nurse, “a job [Jim] Noland says many others wouldn’t do, but his wife enjoyed because it let her develop a relationship with her patients.” He called her “feisty, strong and compassionate.”
Her giving, loving nature presents a striking contrast to the current presidential race, which is all but locked between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Whereas the country faces deep divides and extreme animosity — both within the two major parties and between them — Noland’s memory offers a gentle reminder to be kind and selfless in service of others. Her husband says she never stopped being a caretaker, as she helped raise her ten grandchildren.
“Noland says his family is beyond sad at the passing of his wife, but hopes the obituary captures her spirit and celebrates her essence. He says Mary Anne is smiling down from heaven laughing along with them,” WMTV reported.
Surely, the obituary has brought laughs to undoubtedly more people than just her family, as it was quickly picked up by news outlets across the country — demonstrating how much the sentiment against the current system resonates with Americans. More meaningful, however, might be appreciation for her selfless life and efforts to share love — a virtue glaringly lacking from current affairs.
Indeed, in lieu of flowers, Noland’s obituary requested donations be made to CARITAS, a charity that helps care for the homeless and individuals suffering from addiction.
This article (Woman’s Obituary Says She Died So She Wouldn’t Have to Vote for Trump or Clinton) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Carey Wedler and theAntiMedia.org. Anti-Media Radio airs weeknights at 11 pm Eastern/8 pm Pacific. If you spot a typo, please email the error and name of the article at edits@theantimedia.org.
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