The Funeral

January 6, 2011 was a beautiful day for a funeral. It was well attended and much easier emotionally for me than the night she passed away.  If anyone would like me to email a picture of my mother in her casket, I have them.  Out of respect for those wishing to remember her alive, I will not show those publicly.

Her final wishes were to be buried with a satin pillow and a blanket to keep her warm.  We honored that.

Lisa, Ted, and Tina.  Ted is the best Dad in the world.  He married my mom when I was 7. 

My 22 year old brother, Jody.

Some of the grand kids. (l-r) Nadia, Jackie, Erin, Howie, Luke (in Howard's arms asleep), and Jack (not shown) is sleeping on the pew next to Howard.  

Jody and Lisa

Ted saying his last goodbye.

Closing the casket.

Funeral services were held in the chapel on the same grounds as the cemetery, so we walked behind the hearse. It was very peaceful.

A view of Mt. Baldy in the background.

She was laid to rest next to her mother, Charlotte.

My mother's children. 

Lori, Lisa, Jody, and Tina

(It's a bad idea to have two cameras going at the same time!)

During the week prior to her funeral we all cleaned the house and went through many things.  I came across a poem that my Mother had written about her Mother.  I read it at the funeral.

Mother looks so frail & weak

It's about her health that I speak.

The day will come that she will go

But in the meantime, I worry so.

Her speech is slow and her mind's not quick.

I wish she weren't so very sick.

We want her to stay

For Which we do pray.

As God will decide

And he'll be on her side.

My sister Lori also asked that this scripture be read, and so the Pastor read it for us.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.