Dolores Luckow shared her opinions, interests, and joys about life with everyone she encountered. Perhaps most shocking to others, she shared her views on death. She wanted flowers and visitors during her life, and she wanted her body used by those who could when she died. When Dolores suffered a fatal fall off a ladder at age 71, her family set out to fulfill her wishes. Her daughter Sandra convinced the doctors to check again about donating her organs, and they were surprised to find that she could give everything - organs, tissue, and corneas. The gifts of life she gave at the holidays that year were truly special. She left a legacy that makes her family terribly proud.

Dolores's Story

Dolores O. Luckow was born and raised in Mexico City before coming to Oregon where she married, and raised a family. She defied polite conversations with her lively opinions on politics, religion, extraterrestrial life, and popular culture.

Dolores shared her passions with everyone she encountered with absolute certainty that she could reveal whatever wonder and joy was before her. Whether it was her Mexican culture, the Spanish language, her one-twelfth scale miniature houses, travel, couture, organizing lavish theme parties or simply her point-of-view, she swept everyone into her orbit.

Most shocking to others and most normal to her family were her matter-of-fact and specific plans about her own death. Dolores wanted no flowers upon her death; she wanted them in life so that she could enjoy them. She wanted no memorial or funeral; people should visit her during her life. She had no fear of dying and discussed her desire to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Her rationale was that she had taken excellent care of her body, and someone else should get some use out it.

Although her outspoken pronouncements sometimes embarrassed those closest to her, they ended up being her greatest gift during the decision-making process to fulfill her wishes. At the age of 71, she suffered a fatal fall from a ladder while retrieving Christmas decorations for a party. As soon as it was apparent that she would not have any meaningful recovery, there was no question as to the mandate.

Late at night, daughter Sandra asked the doctor what they needed to do for donation. Because she would probably die as a result of cardiac death instead of brain death, he said she could donate eyes and tissues. And her age made her an unlikely candidate anyway, he told Sandra. Sandra only smiled, and asked the doctor if he would look into the viability of her organs because she had had such a healthy and active lifestyle. He came back after reviewing the numbers on her blood work and said "Her numbers are better than mine!"

Sandra reflected that "My mother gave us the circumstances to fulfill her wish of complete donation. I do believe she made it happen." The donor bank said that despite her petite build, she could help as many as 75 people.

Her death was devastating and tragic for those who lost her, but there is comfort in knowing her wish was fulfilled. She always complained that she never knew what people wanted during the holidays. Isn't it wonderful that she was able to give a truly rare gift that so many people need?

It is a legacy of which her family is so terribly proud.