Having just finished Jim Dodson’s column “Mom Was ‘True Steel Magnolia’” (Jan. 27), I felt compelled to drop you a brief note. Though I have always admired his work, this was especially appealing to me.

My mother, who was the strongest, most graceful woman to have ever lived, left this life in 2007. She died while in ICU recovering from her fourth heart attack.

She was in the middle of a joke, one of the funniest I know, and just stopped, smiled at the nurse and my little sister, and was gone.

I thank Mr. Dodson for the story and wish him more good memories.

Crystal Lowes

Pinehurst