How the Jefferson County coroner gave me a sense of peace after a loved one died: Opinion

Jefferson County’s coroner, Dr. Barbara Weakley-Jones, did not seek reelection Nov. 8 and is retiring from the Coroner’s Office after more than a decade of service as our county’s coroner.

Now, most people probably aspire to never have to speak with the coroner; I certainly was one of those until this fall when we had a sudden death in the family. Questions. I had so many of them. I couldn’t understand why or how my loved one passed. I carried those questions around with me like a heavy weight. After almost a month, I supposed we would never have the answers we wanted. Then I went to the coroner’s office.

Dr. Barbara Weakley-Jones sat down with me in a quiet room and reviewed the autopsy. She explained in gentle words what likely happened to my loved one. As a doctor, she gave me a medical explanation that made sense; as a person, she gave me consolation and comfort. Dr. Barbara (as someone in her office referred to her) was both scientific and compassionate, a special combination for a person who deals with death every day. In less than a half hour with her, the heavy weight of questions that had beleaguered me slipped away. I left the office with a new understanding and a sense of peace.

Dr. Barbara is retiring very soon and will start a new chapter. As a lifelong citizen of Jefferson County, I want to extend my gratitude for her long service as medical examiner and coroner. I suspect there are thousands of people in the area who would echo those thanks. Dr. Barbara, you have made a difference.

Katie Hughbanks is a local writer who teaches English and Creative Writing at Assumption High School in Louisville.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How I found peace after a death thanks to Jefferson County coroner