Matters of Life -- Organizing Matters: Ben Anderson's Story

Organizing Matters

Ben’s Story

Ben Anderson had just returned home from celebrating his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary in New Jersey when he got the call that his father had suddenly fallen ill. Within weeks, he found himself back on an airplane from Chicago to say good-bye to his father and help comfort his mother Nancy.

While the Andersons had always been able to manage their own finances and business matters, Mr. Anderson’s death greatly complicated life for the newly widowed Mrs. Anderson. Her husband had handled the household finances. Their car was registered and insured in his name and Nancy had not driven in years. Mr. Anderson had taken care of all the household maintenance on his own.

Suddenly, Nancy found herself struggling to locate important information not only for the funeral, but for a growing list of tasks involved in settling her husband’s estate and transitioning into her new life without him.

During the Matters of Life™ conference, it became clear to Ben and his sister Laura that their mother was going to need help. There was so much to do and very little time in which to do it. Ben needed to catch a return flight to O’Hare no later than Sunday. Laura’s youngest child would be entering the eighth grade in just under a week. Her oldest was applying to colleges and scheduling campus tours all over the country.

The funeral director and the staff of the funeral home suggested Organizing Matters as a solution. A Matters of Life™ provider helped the family sort through key documents they would need in the short and long-term. The provider produced a financial snapshot to help the family make informed decisions regarding Nancy’s care, and recommended resources in the community that would be able to help her in the weeks, months and years to come.