Page created by: Deborah Hollenberg

Donald was my late twin brother. We were born on February 28, 1950. We were very close throughout our lives, having experienced the same things in childhood and high school and having similar natures.
Donald had meningitis at age 2.5 years and almost died, but was saved by penicillin. He had severe asthma as a child. I watched him suffer in grade school with severe attacks. He took tedral which made him drowsy. It is off the market now. Don was president of our high school class, captain of the tennis team and had a scholarship to Rutgers where he was a star tennis player. He had a successful law career and brought up two wonderful girls. About 2006 Don was diagnosed with Parkinsons and at first a brain tumor, which was a benign pons tumor. He was devastated, but tackled it with a positive attitude, using a treadmill to keep his strength. It slowly halted his law practice. Over time, Don worsened, but he kept saying the research said he could live to be 85. He fought it with every weapon he had, exercise, meds, family, love, hope., and the kindness he was loved for. In July 2019, he had a quick decline and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. I had just told him I could not visit the National Seashore with him, as my husband was very ill, and I had to care for him. Don gently said, "That is ok, we will go in September". By September it was too late. Don had had surgery to remove his tumor and was in MGH, on chemotherapy. I found him walking the hall with valor. I sad, "Don, you have improved". He got the biggest grin on his face! By December, he was worse and I went to MGH to see him with my husband very ill. He said he knew my husband would be remembered for his medical contributions. Implying he was worried he would not be remembered. I said, "You have been kind, and Norm has been kind and that is the greatest thing anyone can do, so you are as great as Norm and will be remembered. He seemed at peace with that. I returned to my husband and told him this and that Don said he was afraid. He said, "Bring him over, I will talk to him." Little did we know that my husband would pass two weeks before Don. He was offering to comfort Don. They both were known and loved for their kindness. That was Dec. 22, 2019. My late husband passed Jan. 15, 2020 and my twin brother, Don passed Feb. 1, 2020. After Norm's burial, I rushed to see Don, his last day awake. He said he was facing fear. We held hands. We said we loved each other. He said he wished for me to speak at his funeral. I told him he would be able to speak to us, he would still be here. He liked that. He slept for a week and then passed gently with his wife, Lindy, his daughters Kirsten and Britt by his side. I spoke at his funeral about how we shared the same things, except for suffering. "I stood outside of that and watched". I described it during childhood and adulthood. I said, "Our siblings are our teachers". That Donald was our teacher, showing us how to live with grace, dignity, resilience, courage, strength and love. I said he was "talking to us now". Then, "Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility, but through greatness of mind." Aristotle