In Memoriam
BELLA KARISH
November 12, 1910—November 3, 2007
On Tuesday, October 23, 2007, just weeks before her 97th birthday, FOUG President and co-founder Bella Karish fell in her Los Angeles home and broke her hip. After her live-in caregiver Jane phoned 911, paramedics arrived and immediately took Bella to the hospital.
A short time later, as doctors began surgery to replace the ball portion of her hip joint, Bella’s blood pressure dropped precipitously and the surgical procedure was halted. She was transferred to Intensive Care and determined to be in a comatose state.
On the following day at her bedside, Bill Miller, Bella’s son Ron, and Jane offered prayers for her, and prayers were offered again at the Prayer Circle the day after that, all asking for her Highest Good and that God’s Will be done. Bella’s son Win, though not yet present in person, added his prayers. The many Fellowship members who had already learned of Bella’s situation also joined in loving prayer.
By Friday, October 26, Bella remained comatose and was on life-support, with minimal kidney function.
Consultation with her family confirmed that her Health Directive declared that no extraordinary effort should be made to keep her alive after a reasonable period of observation, if she had no hope of recovery.
On Wednesday, October 31, Bella was barely breathing and no kidney function was evident. An EEG showed no significant brain activity. She was given morphine and the decision was made that she be permitted to pass on naturally.
She continued resting peacefully in a private room at the hospital under hospice care. Then at 11:30 a.m. on November 3, 2007, she slipped gently away. Her sons, Ron Karish and Win Karish, were present, as was Fellowship Vice President William Miller.
All who wish to support Bella during this profound time are invited to include her in their prayers. Many of us feel we already carry Bella in our hearts.
A Memorial Service for Bella will be held at the Fellowship’s Headquarters in Glendale on Saturday, November 17, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Our opportunity to celebrate Bella’s life will continue during a 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. social gathering at a restaurant nearby. Members and friends of the Fellowship are warmly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fellowship of Universal Guidance, to perpetuate the work that was Bella’s focus and passion for the last forty-six years of her life.
The Fellowship as we have known it will now be radically changed, but one thing is clear: the Fellowship itself will go on. We aren't yet certain exactly what form it will have, but we do know steps will be taken to ensure that its Prayer Ministry, publications, and educational activities will continue.
Love and Blessings,
William Miller, D.D.
Vice President
Fellowship of Universal Guidance
