From a blog: so I'm going to say it as plain as I can. I just found out from my older brother that my stepmother, Cathie, passed away about an hour ago. I had only found out a few days ago that she had suffered renal failure, but he tells me that she was brain dead and that she was surrounded by her children and loved ones. My sister and brother are making the funeral arrangements. I'm not sure what I can do for them other than to pray and try to make it to the funeral as soon as I find out about it.