When the organizer passes away or stops "organizing," it's all over. I was the organizer of family gatherings, and I got tired of always being the one to do it. Christmas just stopped completely after my mom passed away (10 years after my dad, like yours). We sibs had nothing in common anymore and have our own families. It just all changes when the patriarch or matriarch is gone. I have gotten used to it. I will probably sit at home on Easter and order a meal from Cracker Barrel. My kids don't celebrate anything!