A reader has dug up an alternative obituary for Gertrude M. Jones and questions the timing of the Oct. 2 version: "Why would the Times-Picayune 'obituary' for Gertrude Jones, who died on August 25, 2003, be published over a month later on Oct. 2, when the authentic-looking Louisville, Kentucky obituary was published on August 27?"

Good question. Even more to the point, why does the earlier death notice stipulate that memorial gifts be donated to the American Cancer Society, while the later one specifies organizations seeking the removal of President G.W. Bush from office?

Update: A Family Member Comments

Exhibit A:

Gertrude M. Jones, 81, formerly of Louisville, passed away Monday, August 25, 2003, in East Mandeville, LA. She was the former Gertrude Mann, a native of Lebanon, KY, an employee in the accounting department of Georgia International Life Insurance Co. and a former member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. She is survived by two daughters, Dawn L. Hunt and Melba J. Kovalak; three sisters, Drucella Stine, Mary Alice Marzian and Borgie Smith; two sisters-in-law, Josephine Mann and Geneva Jones; four grandchildren, Melissa Hinebaugh, Donald Hunt and Brad and David Kovalak; and three great-grandchildren, Nathan, Patrick and Delaney Hinebaugh. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ratterman & Sons Family Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Rd., with burial in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Thursday. Memorial gifts may go to the American Cancer Society.
Published in The Courier-Journal (Louisville) on 8/27/2003. [Link]

Exhibit B:

Word has been received that Gertrude M. Jones, 81, passed away on August 25, 2003, under the loving care of the nursing aides of Heritage Manor of Mandeville, Louisiana. She was a native of Lebanon, KY. She was a retired Vice President of Georgia International Life Insurance Company of Atlanta, GA. Her husband, Warren K. Jones predeceased her. Two daughters survive her: Dawn Hunt and her live-in boyfriend, Roland, of Mandeville, LA; and Melba Kovalak and her husband, Drew Kovalak, of Woodbury, MN. Three sisters, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren, also survive her. Funeral services were held in Louisville, KY. Memorial gifts may be made to any organization that seeks the removal of President George Bush from office.
Published in The Times-Picayune on 10/2/2003. [Link]