Memorial for Wilhelmina P. Lawson

Wilhelmina P. Lawson, succombed to Bronchial Pneumonia, as a complication of severe Dementia, on September 12, 2014 at Washington Hospital.  She the Executive Director of Trinidad Concerned Citizen for Reform (TCCR), and was an ANC Commissioner for her neighborhood for over 10 years, where she was responsible for affecting revitalization programs, summer feeding programs for the children, summer camps and outings, recreational and educational programs, summer hiring for the neighborhood teenagers, connecting with the Weed & Seed programs and she was very active in the community policing and drug prevention enforcement with the 5th District Police Dept. Unfortunately, she did not have life insurance to cover her burial cost, because in March 2014, she led her family to believe that her son was going to take over paying her monthly premiums.  Not long after she told us this, her caretaker while opening the mail found that her life insurance had been cancelled, due to non-payment.  Although we tried to get it reinstated, it was only with the stipulation that she remain healthy for at least one year and the price per month had become unaffordable because of her being diagnosed with Dementia.  After she was admitted to Washington Hospital Center, there were several arguments between family members as to who had insurance and who was the next of kin.  The hospital held a family meeting and determined that the son was here next of kin and would be responsible for any and all medical decisions.  The family was not in agreement with the hospitals decision, because the son did not have Ms. Lawson's best interest at heart while she was living, he was very abusive and did nothing to physically or financially support her. After her death, her son, who was the only person entitled to her remains, left her body at Washington Hospital for their disposal, the hospital held the body for over 15 days, then turned her over to the DC  Medical Examiner's Office, where it has been held for over 30 days.  At this time, any family memeber can retrieve her and complete her final disposition.  We are have consulted with a Funeral Director and are now in the process of raisng the monies needed to complete the process.   We need help to sponsor a Memorial Service in her honor and to get closure for the remaining family members and the entire Trinidad community in NE, Washington, DC.