Can you let go my orchid? My family has an orchid that be neglected and so now the...

My family has an orchid that be neglected and so now the main stem have gone from green to yellow and its all dried up. Is in that any remote chance to bring this back to enthusiasm? My friend says the root is dead, in consequence hope is lost. Anyone have any other ideas? This plant intended a lot to my father who passed away and now we are trying to gather his plants.
Answers:    I have had on orchid for three years and it have bloomed each year now and my Mom does also hers' is blooming again very soon and even bloomed once this winter. Is there any leaves leaf at the podium? If so it will send up new flower spike and re bloom at some point. I maintain mine on a ledge in my bathroom lower than a skylight and it loves the humidity in the bathroom. My Mom's is in her front fanlight, with fairly low pallid and does great too.
The orchids only bloom once at a lifetime then they die.