Welcome to What We Remember, our reader-submitted obituary series. Submit your story for next Sunday’s installment here.
Lynne Davies, 68
Tucson’s other mayor
Lynne never met a stranger, greeting every new person with a smile. After visiting her for a long weekend, a relative called her the mayor of Tucson — she knew everybody everywhere she went, and everyone loved her.
She gave freely of her time and talents to those fighting dependency, to those with physical and mental disabilities, and to her church. She truly was a gift to everyone, though she was snarky when needed.
Lynne was the oldest of three daughters and was the best of the three of us. She died unexpectedly while visiting my husband and me to help after a surgery. As luck would have it, our middle sister was also visiting to help, so she died while the three sisters were together.
As usual, Lynne was leading us, this time to the afterlife.
Lynne Davies was an attorney in Tucson. She died Oct. 23, 2025, in Ashland, Virginia. — By her sister Jane Davies Gulas
Mike Daniel, 68
A fishing hook in the ear
My dad was an avid perch fisherman on Lake Erie who instilled a lifelong love for fishing and nature in me. Even during my childhood, when I would accidentally hook him in the shirt, hand or earlobe and lost my fishing pole to the depths of the lake, he showed me patience and kindness that shaped how I approach relationships. Through those trips, he taught me the value of quiet stillness and being present in the moment.
Michael James Daniel was a welder and fisherman. He died Dec. 18, 2025, in Sandusky, Ohio. — By his daughter, Kayla Daniel
Sandra Matejka, 85
Christmas, crime fiction and the slots
My mother could swaddle a newborn like nobody’s business. In her lengthy career as an OB nurse, the number of babies whose lives began under her care is unknown.
Sandra started a career in nursing like many other women of her generation, whose professional paths were limited to teaching or nursing. She chose the latter and worked long hours, all while raising two daughters with the love of her life. Her love for family was unmatched, as was her stubbornness. She loved Christmas, Poirot mysteries, and the slots. She had faith in the goodness of the world. Her last years were hard. Dementia chipped away at her memory and ability to care for herself; the woman who spent her professional life taking care of so many now relied on care from others.
I will remember the smart, creative woman who looked after so many.
Sandra Lee (Wilson) Matejka was a nurse. She died Dec. 12, 2025, in St. Paul, Minnesota. — By her daughter Jennifer Sarver
Leonardo Monge, 69
A bighearted cardiologist
Our father, Leonardo, believed that a meaningful life was one that made other people’s lives better. As a physician, he cared for his patients with extraordinary dedication, often treating people who could not afford care because he believed everyone deserved it. He showed that same generosity and intensity when planning family adventures, helping a stranger or supporting his community.
Even after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, he continued looking for ways to serve others. One of his last acts was organizing a fundraiser for a small Catholic church.
Near the end of his life, he often said that there were still so many people who needed help — and that someone had to help them. Watching him live this way taught us that a meaningful life is measured not by what we achieve, but by how much of ourselves we give to others.
Leonardo Monge Rangel was a cardiologist and internist. He died Nov. 4, 2025, in Mexicali, Mexico. — By his children Leonardo, Marlene, Priscila and Alma
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The Post is publishing reader-submitted obituaries as part of a weekly feature, What We Remember. Anyone who died in the past year is eligible.
The post The welder who always took his daughter fishing, and other lives we’ve lost appeared first on Washington Post.
