Really sorry for you, Joe.
My mom's been gone since last year, and, with me living in Germany (she lived in Rhode Island), I couldn't even make it in time to her funeral. I was in even closer contact with my dad (of course), so we more or less got through the whole thing on the phone.
I'm just glad that she was 82 when it happened, with a complete life behind her.
No matter when or where, it's a big hole in your life.
So sorry, Joe!