Grieving families get help

I previously had talked with her about the death of her son, Matthew.

LeBeau and husband Jay LeBeau of Edmond were at a movie when Matthew called on the night of July 13, 2003. "Mom, come home,” he said. She called 911 and rushed home.

Their 23-year-old son suffered a brain aneurysm and died before they arrived, she said.

Having talked with her about her struggles, I wanted to know about their other children: Jennifer was 26, Michael, 18 and JayCee, 17.

The LeBeaus made themselves available to the children day and night. It was usually night when they came in, crying and wanting to talk.

However, for a couple of months, Mary noticed something else happening: a role reversal. The children were shopping and making sure the bills were paid. Everyone was hurting. No one had taken such a punch before.

And then there was something she hadn’t noticed.

"They kept us in check with destructive behaviors,” she said. "I am not a drinker, but I found that if I had a beer I could sleep for a few hours.

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