30 Obituary Examples That Beautifully Capture a Life

Writing an obituary for someone you love is one of the hardest things you will ever sit down to do. You want to capture the whole of a person in a few hundred words — who they were, what they meant, the quiet ways they shaped the lives around them. If you are searching for obituary examples to guide you through this process, you have come to the right place.

This guide contains 30 fully written obituaries — not fill-in-the-blank templates, but complete tributes you can read, adapt, and draw inspiration from. They are organized by relationship (parent, spouse, sibling, child) and by tone (simple, celebratory, humorous, military, faith-based) so you can find the approach that fits the person you are honoring. If you are looking for a more structured starting point, our obituary templates guide provides formats you can fill in step by step.

We also walk you through how to write your own obituary from scratch, the essential elements every obituary needs, and the most common mistakes to avoid. Whether you are writing for a newspaper, an online memorial, or a funeral program, these examples will help you find the right words.

Short and Simple Obituary Examples

Not every obituary needs to be long. Sometimes a short, dignified announcement is exactly right — especially for newspaper print, where space is limited and every word costs money. These six examples show how to honor someone in 80 to 120 words.

1. Standard Announcement

Eleanor Mae Whitfield, 83, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, at Sartori Memorial Hospital. Born on June 14, 1942, to Harold and Bess Whitfield, Eleanor spent 35 years as a fourth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, where she was known for her patience and her habit of keeping a jar of butterscotch candies on her desk. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Whitfield-Cho; her son, Brian Whitfield; four grandchildren; and her sister, Joan Ritter. A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 8, at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Falls Public Library.

2. Minimalist Tribute

Thomas "Tom" Reeves, 71, of Portland, Oregon, died on February 18, 2026, after a brief illness. Tom was a carpenter by trade and an artist by nature, spending his weekends building birdhouses for neighbors and restoring furniture he found at estate sales. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Reeves, and their three children. A private service was held by the family. Those who knew Tom are encouraged to plant a tree in his memory — he would have liked that more than flowers.

3. Family-Focused

Lorraine Chen, 66, of San Jose, California, passed away on January 29, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Lorraine immigrated to the United States at age 19 and built a life centered on family. She is survived by her husband, Peter Chen; her children, Daniel Chen and Michelle Chen-Nakamura (husband Ryan); her grandchildren, Lily, Owen, and Max; and her brother, Wei-Lin Huang, of Taipei. A celebration of life will be held on February 8 at 2:00 PM at Grace Community Church, San Jose.

4. Brief and Dignified

Robert Alan Marsh, 79, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died peacefully at his home on February 5, 2026. Robert retired from the Tennessee Valley Authority after 32 years of service and spent his retirement fishing on Douglas Lake and volunteering at the Knoxville Food Bank. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two sons, Robert Jr. and Daniel; and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church on February 10 at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.

5. Private Service Notice

Dorothy "Dot" Simmons, 88, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on January 15, 2026, at her home in the Historic District, where she lived for 62 years. Dot was a retired librarian, a devoted bridge player, and a champion of local historic preservation. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Simmons, and her son, Michael Simmons. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Grady (husband Tom), and three grandchildren. Per Dot's wishes, a private service will be held for the immediate family. Her family asks that you honor her memory by visiting your local library.

6. Loving Memory

James Arthur Novak, 62, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on February 22, 2026. James was a dedicated electrician, a youth hockey coach, and the kind of neighbor who shoveled your sidewalk before you woke up. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Novak; his children, Sarah Novak and James Novak II; his mother, Rose Novak; and his brother, Peter Novak. A memorial service will be held on March 1 at 10:00 AM at Holy Name Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Minneapolis Youth Hockey Association.

Obituary Examples for a Parent

Losing a parent changes you in ways that are hard to put into words. These five examples capture different kinds of parents — the quiet steadfast ones, the larger-than-life personalities, and the ones who sacrificed everything without ever drawing attention to it. If you are also preparing a spoken tribute, our eulogy examples for a mother guide provides additional inspiration for honoring a parent's memory.

7. For a Mother — Margaret Ann Sullivan

Margaret Ann Sullivan, 74, of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away on February 12, 2026, after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Margaret — Maggie to everyone who knew her — was born on April 3, 1951, in Joliet, Illinois, the eldest of four children. She married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Sullivan, in 1972, and together they raised three children in the home on Elm Street where she lived for 48 years.

Maggie's garden was legendary in the neighborhood. She grew tomatoes the size of softballs, kept a row of sunflowers along the back fence every summer, and had a habit of leaving bags of zucchini on porches in August because her plants always produced more than any family could eat. She was a grandmother of seven, and every one of them knew that Grandma's house meant homemade apple pie and the good kind of hot chocolate — the kind made on the stove, never from a packet.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis; her children, Kevin Sullivan (wife Amy), Colleen Burke (husband Patrick), and Erin Sullivan-Brandt (husband Todd); seven grandchildren; and her sisters, Kathleen Doyle and Eileen Rizzo. A funeral mass will be held at St. Daniel the Prophet Church on February 17 at 10:00 AM. Memorial donations may be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

8. For a Father — William "Bill" Torres

William "Bill" Torres, 78, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on March 1, 2026, surrounded by his family. Bill was born on September 22, 1947, in Laredo, Texas, and served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army before returning home to marry Maria Elena Garza in 1971.

Bill spent 30 years as a mechanic at Randolph Air Force Base and spent his evenings and weekends coaching Little League at Woodlawn Park. He coached 14 seasons and never once kept a win-loss record — he said the only stat that mattered was whether every kid got to play. He was a man who believed that showing up was the most important thing a father could do, and he never missed a recital, a game, or a school play in his children's lives.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maria Elena; his children, David Torres (wife Christine), Angela Torres-Medina (husband Carlos), and Michael Torres; six grandchildren; and his brother, Richard Torres, of Laredo. Funeral services will be held at San Fernando Cathedral on March 6. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.

9. For a Mother — Anita Desai

Anita Desai, 69, of Edison, New Jersey, passed away on January 20, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Mumbai, India, Anita came to the United States in 1981 with her husband, Rajesh, carrying two suitcases and a nursing degree that she would have to earn all over again in a new country. She did — graduating from Rutgers with top honors at age 33 while raising two small children.

For 28 years, Anita worked as a registered nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was known for her calm presence during emergencies and her habit of bringing homemade chai to the nurses' station on night shifts. Her children remember her as the mother who never complained about working double shifts, who helped with homework at midnight, and who somehow still managed to make fresh roti every Sunday morning.

She is survived by her husband, Rajesh Desai; her daughter, Priya Desai-Kowalski (husband Mark); her son, Vikram Desai (wife Hannah); and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Edison Hindu Temple on January 26. The family requests donations be made to the American Nurses Foundation in Anita's name.

10. For a Father — Frank Kowalski

Frank Kowalski, 82, of Hamtramck, Michigan, passed away on February 8, 2026, almost certainly arguing with someone about something — though by the end, it was mainly the television. Born on March 15, 1943, to Stanley and Helen Kowalski, Frank was a proud Hamtramck native who never saw a reason to leave the city that made him.

Frank worked 38 years at the Dodge Main plant and spent his retirement doing two things he loved: fixing things that weren't broken and yelling at umpires from the stands at Tigers games. He once drove four hours to Comerica Park to watch a game in the rain because "the tickets were already paid for." He could repair anything in the house with duct tape, WD-40, and a level of confidence that occasionally exceeded his skill level. His children learned early that when Dad said "I'll take care of it," you should probably also call a professional.

Beneath the stubbornness was a man who loved deeply and expressed it through action rather than words. He is survived by his children, Mark Kowalski (wife Janet), Susan Kowalski-Davis (husband Robert), and Paul Kowalski; eight grandchildren; and his brother, Stanley Kowalski Jr. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 2019. Services will be held at St. Florian Church on February 14 at 11:00 AM.

11. For a Single Parent — Patricia Moore

Patricia Moore, 64, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on February 28, 2026, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Pat was born on November 7, 1961, in West Baltimore and raised three children — Darnell, Keisha, and Tamika — largely on her own, working as a cafeteria manager at Northwood Elementary during the day and cleaning offices downtown at night.

Her children never knew how hard it was until they were adults. Pat kept a spotless home, enforced homework before television, and insisted that every Sunday the family sit down for dinner together, even if dinner was just rice and beans. She made it feel like a feast. She was the kind of mother who signed every permission slip, attended every parent-teacher conference, and found a way to put something under the Christmas tree every single year.

She is survived by her children, Darnell Moore (wife LaShonda), Keisha Moore-Washington (husband Earl), and Tamika Moore; nine grandchildren; and her sisters, Denise Carter and Gloria Howard. A homegoing service will be held at New Shiloh Baptist Church on March 7 at 10:00 AM. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Baltimore City Public Schools Foundation.

Obituary Examples for a Spouse

Writing an obituary for the person you shared your life with requires a different kind of honesty. These four examples cover long marriages, younger losses, and blended families — because love stories come in many forms.

12. For a Wife — Susan Marie Callahan

Susan Marie Callahan, 67, of Naperville, Illinois, passed away on January 30, 2026, with her husband holding her hand, just as she had held his through 45 years of marriage. Susan and Michael Callahan met at a homecoming dance at Naperville Central in 1976, and Michael will tell you that he knew by the second song that he was going to marry her. Susan would tell you it took her a bit longer — about three songs.

Susan worked as an office manager for Dr. Gerald Phelps for 22 years and was the person who made that practice run. She kept the schedules, remembered patients' birthdays, and had a system for everything that no one else could replicate. At home, she was the anchor — the one who remembered the dentist appointments, found the lost shoes, and kept the family calendar that everyone depended on but no one appreciated enough until now.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Callahan; her children, Ryan Callahan (wife Jenna) and Meghan Callahan-O'Brien (husband Sean); five grandchildren; and her sister, Karen DiNardo. A funeral mass will be held at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on February 5 at 10:30 AM. Memorial donations may be made to the Naperville Humane Society, a cause dear to Susan's heart.

13. For a Husband — David Paul Henderson

David Paul Henderson, 73, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away on February 14, 2026 — Valentine's Day — which his wife, Carol, says is exactly the kind of dramatic timing David would have chosen if he could. David served 28 years with the Tacoma Fire Department, retiring as a battalion chief in 2009. He responded to thousands of calls in his career and never once talked about them at home. "That's work," he would say. "Home is home."

In retirement, David discovered a talent for woodworking and built a writing desk for Carol that she says is the most beautiful thing she owns. He spent Saturday mornings at the Tacoma Farmers Market, Sunday afternoons watching football with his sons, and every Wednesday evening at the VFW hall, where he organized fundraisers for families of fallen firefighters. His marriage to Carol lasted 38 years, and his friends say they never saw the man without a smile when she walked into the room.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Henderson; his sons, Jason Henderson (wife Emily) and Tyler Henderson; three grandchildren; and his sister, Patricia Henderson-Blake, of Portland. A memorial service with firefighter honors will be held on February 21 at Tacoma First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

14. For a Wife — Jennifer Lynn Park

Jennifer Lynn Park, 44, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on February 10, 2026, after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Jen fought the disease with the same determination she brought to everything else in her life — fiercely, privately, and with a refusal to let it define her. She continued coaching her daughter's soccer team through two rounds of chemotherapy and only stopped when her body insisted.

Born in Raleigh on August 15, 1981, Jen graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and worked as a marketing director at Atrium Health. She married Christopher Park in 2010, and together they built a home filled with noise, laughter, and an unreasonable number of rescue animals. She was the kind of mother who made every birthday party memorable, stayed up late building science fair volcanoes, and left handwritten notes in her children's lunchboxes every day.

She is survived by her husband, Christopher Park; her children, Grace Park, age 12, and Ethan Park, age 9; her parents, Donald and Shirley Benson; and her brother, Matthew Benson. A celebration of life will be held on February 16 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. The family requests donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Jen asked that no one wear black.

15. For a Husband — George Raymond Alvarado

George Raymond Alvarado, 69, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on January 25, 2026, at his home. George married Linda Beckett in 2005, and together they blended a family of five children who tested his patience and earned his devotion in equal measure. He was fond of saying, "I didn't just marry Linda — I married a whole operation."

George was born in Las Cruces on December 3, 1956, and worked as a civil engineer for the New Mexico Department of Transportation for 34 years. He was a quiet man who expressed love through reliability — he never missed a pickup, never forgot a promise, and never let a stepchild feel like anything less than his own. His blended family of seven grandchildren knew him simply as Papa George, and he answered to it with a grin every time.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Alvarado; his children, Gabriel Alvarado (wife Rosa) and Elena Alvarado-Fisher (husband Tom); his stepchildren, Kyle Beckett, Megan Beckett-Chung (husband Daniel), and Andrew Beckett; seven grandchildren; and his brother, Hector Alvarado, of Las Cruces. Services will be held at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on February 1 at 9:30 AM. Donations may be made to Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.

Obituary Examples for a Sibling or Child

There is no grief quite like losing a brother, a sister, or a child. These obituaries carry extra weight, and the people who write them deserve extra care. The examples below honor lives that ended too soon while focusing on who the person was, not only how they died.

16. For a Brother — Marcus Anthony Williams

Marcus Anthony Williams, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on February 3, 2026, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Marcus was born on July 19, 1991, in Decatur, Georgia, and grew up as the youngest of three brothers who will tell you that he was also the loudest, the funniest, and the most likely to convince you to do something you'd regret.

Marcus graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in communications and worked as a production assistant at a local news station. He had a talent for making everyone around him laugh — not with rehearsed jokes but with observations so sharp and perfectly timed that you couldn't help yourself. He was the uncle who showed up to every birthday party with the loudest gift, the friend who drove across town at midnight when you needed to talk, and the brother who never let a week go by without calling.

He is survived by his mother, Diane Williams; his brothers, Terrence Williams (wife Alisha) and Dwayne Williams; his nieces and nephews, Jaylen, Amara, and Noah; and his girlfriend, Taylor Robinson. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Williams. A homegoing celebration will be held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 10 at 11:00 AM.

17. For a Sister — Emily Rose Fitzgerald

Emily Rose Fitzgerald, 41, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on January 18, 2026, after a four-year battle with ALS. Emily faced her diagnosis with a clarity that humbled everyone around her. She continued working as a speech therapist for two years after her diagnosis, saying she wanted to help others find their words for as long as she still had hers.

Emily was born in Boulder on May 12, 1984, and earned her master's degree from the University of Colorado. She married Ryan Fitzgerald in 2012, and together they raised two daughters, Nora and Chloe, who inherited their mother's stubbornness and her smile. Emily became an advocate for ALS research in her final years, raising over $40,000 for the ALS Association through a blog she wrote with her eye-tracking device when her hands could no longer type.

She is survived by her husband, Ryan; her daughters, Nora, age 11, and Chloe, age 8; her parents, Michael and Judith Hartley; her sister, Laura Hartley-Jensen (husband Peter); and her brother, Brian Hartley. A memorial service will be held on January 25 at Calvary Baptist Church, Denver. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter.

18. For a Child — Nathan James Cooper

Nathan James Cooper, 16, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on February 20, 2026. Nathan was a junior at Blue Valley Northwest High School, where he played center midfielder on the varsity soccer team and was known in the hallways as the kid who said hello to everyone — freshmen, seniors, teachers, custodians. His coach said Nathan was the first player on the field and the last one off, not because he was trying to impress anyone, but because he genuinely loved the game.

Nathan had plans to study engineering at Kansas State and dreams of building things that lasted. He spent his summers volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and his weekends playing pickup games at the park with anyone who wanted to join. He was the kind of teenager who still hugged his parents in public, who mowed the neighbor's lawn without being asked, and who made every room a little brighter just by walking into it.

He is survived by his parents, Scott and Rebecca Cooper; his sister, Ava Cooper, age 13; his grandparents, James and Helen Cooper and Donald and Patricia Walsh; and more friends than his family can count. A celebration of Nathan's life will be held at Church of the Resurrection on February 27 at 2:00 PM. The family has established the Nathan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund at Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Celebration of Life Obituary Examples

Some people live in a way that demands celebration rather than mourning. These four obituaries take an uplifting approach — focusing on gratitude, joy, and the kind of life that makes you smile when you remember it.

19. Joyful Spirit — Vivian "Vivi" Laurent

Vivian "Vivi" Laurent, 76, of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away on February 6, 2026, and she would like you to know that she is not interested in a sad funeral. Vivi was born on March 22, 1949, in the Tremé neighborhood and spent her entire life within a few miles of the house where she grew up. She worked as a florist at Magazine Street Blooms for 30 years and believed that the right arrangement of flowers could fix almost anything.

Vivi requested that her service include live jazz, her favorite gumbo recipe, and absolutely no black clothing. She is survived by her daughter, Monique Laurent-Baptiste (husband Jean-Pierre); her son, Andre Laurent (wife Sharon); five grandchildren; and her sister, Claudette Laurent. A second-line celebration will step off from St. Augustine Church on February 15 at 1:00 PM. Wear something with color — Vivi insisted.

20. Passionate Hobbyist — Arthur Okafor

Arthur Okafor, 70, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on January 27, 2026. Arthur was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1955 and immigrated to Chicago in 1978 with a saxophone and a conviction that jazz was the only honest music. He worked as an accountant by day — a detail that never failed to surprise people who saw him play — and spent his nights sitting in at clubs across the South Side.

Arthur traveled to 31 countries, almost always choosing his destination based on the local music scene. He kept a journal of every live performance he attended and filled 14 notebooks over four decades. In retirement, he taught free saxophone lessons at the South Shore Cultural Center and was prouder of his students than of anything else in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Okafor; his children, Samuel Okafor (wife Tanya) and Ngozi Okafor-Williams (husband Derek); three grandchildren; and his mother, Adaeze Okafor, of Lagos. A memorial service with live jazz will be held at the South Shore Cultural Center on February 3 at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donate to the Jazz Foundation of America.

21. Community Pillar — Esperanza "Hope" Gutierrez

Esperanza "Hope" Gutierrez, 81, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on February 15, 2026. Hope earned her nickname in the way only a life well-lived can earn one — by being the person her community turned to when they needed help. Born on September 9, 1944, in Juárez, Mexico, she crossed the border as a young woman and spent the next six decades building a life in El Paso that touched thousands.

Hope volunteered with Catholic Charities for 40 years, organized the annual Thanksgiving meal at Sacred Heart Church that fed 500 people each year, and ran an informal job-placement network from her kitchen table. She had a gift for matching people with opportunities, and dozens of families in El Paso trace their start in America back to a phone call Hope made on their behalf.

She is survived by her children, Rosa Gutierrez-Peña (husband Miguel), Carlos Gutierrez (wife Diana), and Sofia Gutierrez; 11 grandchildren; and her sister, Lucía Morales, of Juárez. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernesto Gutierrez, in 2018. A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on February 22. The family requests donations to Catholic Charities of El Paso in Hope's name.

22. The Gratitude Focus — Howard Ellis

Howard Ellis, 85, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on February 1, 2026. Howard was born on December 11, 1940, in Lynchburg, Virginia, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before returning home to marry his sweetheart, Virginia "Ginny" Moss, in 1960. Their marriage lasted 60 years — the last four after Ginny's passing — and Howard never stopped setting two coffee cups on the counter each morning out of habit.

Howard worked as a postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years and knew every family on his route by name. In retirement, he spent his mornings at the Carytown Diner with the same group of friends for 20 years, occupying the same corner booth. His family says the word that best describes Howard is "grateful." He was grateful for his wife, grateful for his children, grateful for his country, and grateful for every single morning.

He is survived by his children, Howard Ellis Jr. (wife Donna), Pamela Ellis-Tucker (husband Charles), and Diane Ellis; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Gene Ellis, of Lynchburg. A service with military honors will be held at Hollywood Cemetery on February 8. Memorial donations may be made to the USO.

Funny and Unique Obituary Examples

Some people lived with a sense of humor that would make a traditional obituary feel dishonest. These four examples honor that spirit — warm, self-aware, and true to who they were. Humor in an obituary, when done right, is one of the most genuine forms of tribute.

23. Self-Aware Humor — Gerald "Jerry" Babcock

Gerald "Jerry" Babcock, 77, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on February 9, 2026, and he wrote this himself because he didn't trust anyone else to get it right. Jerry was born on April 1, 1948 — April Fools' Day — and spent 77 years living up to it. He worked as a high school history teacher for 35 years, where he was beloved by students and tolerated by administrators, which he considered the correct ratio.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna, who he says was "the only person who ever won an argument with me, and she did it roughly 11,000 times." He is also survived by his children, Steve Babcock (wife Lisa) and Kelly Babcock-Dunn (husband Craig); four grandchildren who he taught to play poker at an inappropriately young age; and his dog, Walter, who was his favorite family member and he is not sorry about it.

A memorial service will be held on February 16 at Cole Community Church. Jerry requests that you tell a good joke in his honor today. He also requests that nobody bring potato salad to the reception — there was always too much potato salad.

24. The Sports Fanatic — Richard "Richie" Malone

Richard "Richie" Malone, 68, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on February 18, 2026, still waiting for the Cubs to win back-to-back World Series titles. Born on June 30, 1957, Richie was a lifelong North Sider who attended his first game at Wrigley Field at age four and never stopped going. He estimated he attended over 1,200 games in his lifetime, and his family sees no reason to doubt him.

Richie worked as a plumber for Local 130 for 40 years and maintained that plumbing and baseball had the same core principle: "Sometimes you just have to wait for things to flow." He was there in 2016 when the Cubs finally won the World Series, and his daughter says the voicemail he left her that night — mostly just screaming — is something she will keep on her phone for the rest of her life.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen; his children, Richie Jr. (wife Beth), Danny Malone, and Katie Malone-Sweeney (husband Tim); five grandchildren; and his brother, Kevin Malone. A funeral mass will be held at St. Andrew Church on February 24. The family requests that you wear Cubs gear to the service. Richie would have wanted it that way.

25. The Stubborn Survivor — Edna Mae Hutchinson

Edna Mae Hutchinson, 94, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on January 12, 2026, on her own terms, just as she did everything else. Edna was born on October 22, 1931, and outlived two husbands, a tornado, and a doctor who told her in 1987 that she had "maybe five years." She drove herself to church every Sunday until she was 91, at which point her children finally took her keys — a battle that was harder than anything they have faced since.

Edna raised four children, ran a boarding house in the 1970s, and made the best peach cobbler in Tarrant County, a claim that nobody who ever tasted it has disputed. She read the Fort Worth Star-Telegram every morning, watched Jeopardy every evening, and had strong opinions about everything in between.

She is survived by her children, Harold Hutchinson (wife Beverly), Wanda Hutchinson-Price (husband Gerald), Doris Hutchinson-Kelly, and Roy Hutchinson (wife Patty); 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and her cat, Biscuit, who she liked better than most people and was open about it. A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park on January 18. In lieu of flowers, eat a piece of pie in Edna's honor.

26. The Recipe Keeper — Josephine "Jo" Peretti

Josephine "Jo" Peretti, 86, of Providence, Rhode Island, passed away on February 4, 2026, and took her cannoli recipe with her. This was deliberate. Jo was born on January 8, 1940, in Federal Hill, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, and she spent 86 years perfecting the art of feeding people while refusing to write anything down.

Jo ran Peretti's Bakery on Atwells Avenue for 40 years, where she was known for three things: her sfogliatelle, her refusal to make anything gluten-free, and her habit of giving free cookies to every child who walked through the door. When asked for her recipes, she would smile and say, "You just have to feel it," which her daughters-in-law found extremely unhelpful.

She is survived by her sons, Anthony Peretti (wife Maria), Salvatore Peretti (wife Gina), and Joseph Peretti Jr.; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rosa DiMauro, of Cranston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Peretti Sr. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Ghost Church on February 10 at 10:00 AM. The family requests donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The cannoli recipe is gone forever.

Military and Faith-Based Obituary Examples

For those whose lives were shaped by service — whether to country, to faith, or to both — these four examples demonstrate how to honor that calling while still capturing the full person behind the uniform or the collar.

27. Military Honors — Colonel Steven Wayne Barrett

Colonel (Ret.) Steven Wayne Barrett, USMC, 81, of Oceanside, California, passed away on February 11, 2026. Colonel Barrett served 30 years in the United States Marine Corps, including combat tours in Vietnam and the Gulf War. He earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Purple Heart, and he never talked about any of them unless directly asked.

Born on August 4, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Steve enlisted at 18 and rose through the ranks with a leadership style his Marines described as "firm, fair, and the first one through the door." After retiring from active duty in 1992, he worked as a military liaison for Camp Pendleton and mentored young officers for another 15 years. He married Catherine O'Dell in 1968, and their marriage survived 12 relocations, three continents, and a deployment schedule that would have broken most couples.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Catherine; his children, Major (Ret.) Steven Barrett Jr. (wife Anne) and Dr. Sarah Barrett-Klein (husband Jonathan); five grandchildren; and his sister, Mary Barrett-Owens, of Tulsa. A funeral with full military honors will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on February 18. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

28. Faith-Based — Reverend Charles Odom

Reverend Charles Odom, 73, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on January 22, 2026, after a long illness. Reverend Odom pastored Greater Hope Baptist Church for 40 years, during which time the congregation grew from 45 members meeting in a storefront to over 1,200 worshipping in the sanctuary he helped build with his own hands.

Born on February 14, 1952, in Brownsville, Tennessee, Charles felt his calling at age 16 and never wavered. He was ordained at 22, married Dorothy Jean Harris in 1975, and spent the next five decades serving a community that considered him not just their pastor but their family. He performed over 800 weddings, officiated more funerals than he could count, and visited every sick member of his congregation personally — a practice he continued even after his own health began to decline.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Odom; his children, Charles Odom Jr. (wife Anita), Reverend James Odom (wife Michelle), and Cheryl Odom-Banks (husband William); 12 grandchildren; and his brother, Deacon Willie Odom. A homegoing celebration will be held at Greater Hope Baptist Church on January 30 at 11:00 AM, with a processional beginning at 10:30. Memorial donations may be directed to the Greater Hope Scholarship Fund.

29. Military Spouse Tribute — Nancy Jean Blackwell

Nancy Jean Blackwell, 79, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away on February 21, 2026. Nancy was born on April 17, 1946, in Springfield, Missouri, and married Sergeant Major (Ret.) Harold Blackwell in 1966. Over the next 26 years, she moved 11 times, set up household on two continents, and raised three children who changed schools so often they learned to make friends within the first week.

Nancy was the quiet backbone of a military family. She organized care packages for deployed soldiers, ran the Family Readiness Group at Fort Bragg for eight years, and held other military spouses together during deployments that stretched months beyond what anyone expected. Her husband served three tours in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and Nancy managed everything at home without complaint — a fact that Harold will tell anyone who listens was the greater act of service.

She is survived by her husband, Harold Blackwell; her children, Harold Blackwell Jr. (wife Susan), Donna Blackwell-Parker (husband James), and Christine Blackwell; seven grandchildren; and her sister, Betty Collins, of Springfield. A service will be held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church on February 28. The family requests donations to the Blue Star Families organization in Nancy's honor.

30. Interfaith — Dr. Miriam Goldstein-Haddad

Dr. Miriam Goldstein-Haddad, 67, of Dearborn, Michigan, passed away on February 5, 2026, after a year-long battle with ovarian cancer. Miriam was born on November 3, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish father and an Irish Catholic mother, and she spent her career studying what happens when faiths meet rather than collide.

Miriam earned her doctorate in religious studies from the University of Michigan and spent 30 years teaching at Wayne State University. In 1990, she married Dr. Karim Haddad, a Muslim cardiologist, and together they raised two children in a household that celebrated Hanukkah, Christmas, and Eid with equal sincerity. Miriam founded the Detroit Interfaith Dialogue Project in 2003, an organization that brought Jewish, Christian, and Muslim community leaders together for monthly conversations that she hosted in her living room.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Karim Haddad; her children, Leah Haddad and Daniel Haddad (wife Fatima); two grandchildren; her brother, Rabbi David Goldstein, of Brooklyn; and her sister, Colleen Goldstein-Murphy, of Boston. A memorial service will be held on February 12 at the Detroit Interfaith Center, with readings from the Torah, the Quran, and the New Testament — exactly as Miriam would have wanted. Donations may be made to the Detroit Interfaith Dialogue Project.

Common Obituary Mistakes to Avoid

After reading 30 examples, you have a sense of what works. Here are the most common mistakes that weaken an obituary — and how to avoid them.

• Writing in templates instead of real sentences. Phrases like "[Name] was born on [date] in [city]" read like a form, not a tribute. Use the details to tell a story.
• Listing accomplishments without showing personality. A resume is not an obituary. Include the hobbies, the quirks, and the details that made them who they were.
• Forgetting to include service details or donation information. The obituary often serves as the only public notice of funeral arrangements. Double-check dates, times, and addresses.
• Using clichés without considering if they fit. "Gained their wings" or "called home to glory" may be comforting for some families and feel hollow for others. Choose language that matches the person.
• Not proofreading names, dates, and relationships. Errors in an obituary cannot be unpublished. Have at least two family members review every name, date of birth, and relationship before submitting.
• Making it too long for print. Newspapers charge by the word or by the line. If you are publishing in print, ask about the cost per line and write accordingly. Save the longer version for online publication or a memorial page.

For a more detailed walkthrough of the writing process, our step-by-step obituary writing guide covers everything from gathering information to choosing where to publish.

Preserving Their Story Beyond the Obituary

An obituary is a starting point, but it is not the whole story. A few hundred words in a newspaper cannot contain the full measure of a person's life — the way they laughed, the stories they told, the moments that only you remember. That is why more families are turning to digital tools that keep the conversation going long after the obituary is published.

A dedicated memorial page gives family and friends a permanent place to share photos, write stories, and add memories over time — not just in the days after the loss, but months and years later when new memories surface. You can also plant a memorial tree as a living tribute that grows alongside your family's healing. And if you are still working on the obituary itself, our AI obituary writer can help you organize your thoughts and create a meaningful first draft.

If you have been asked to speak at the service as well, our guide on how to write a eulogy walks you through the process of turning your memories into a spoken tribute that honors their life. An obituary tells the world who they were. A eulogy tells the room what they meant to you. Together, they form a lasting record of a life that mattered.