Thanks everyone for the kind words. My mother knew her own demise was imminent and faced it with the dignity and courage she'd used in everything she did in life, whether it was challenging a Class V rapid or counseling a potential young person on why not to commit suicide. She had a gentle but firm way with kids and my friends growing up gravitated to her as their second mother as easily as they took to a PB&J (peanut and butter) sandwich. Always firm, always fair, always looking at every side of an issue before determining an outcome.
There was great sorrow in her life as she had to lay to rest two sons, all of her family and several very close friends, but as they say: "good things come to those who wait." In the one moment which seemed the dimmest of her times, her sweetheart from high school, 57 years prior searched her out and in a whirlwind romance, they soon married and had a marvelous 12 years together. It should have been 57 years but they made up beautifully for the time lost.
I fear not for her soul in any belief, else there is surely not a power greater than mere man. Again, thanks, everyone.