Saturday, June 4, 2016

Funeral: Aunt Grace

Yesterday was my Aunt Grace’s Funeral.  She was 82.  Two years ago when it was her 80th birthday, her kids showed off many of the quilts that she had made.

Quilt maker

Many were well worn and used.  She like to see them that way…well used=appreciation!

Sadly in the last few months she lost the use of her hands, no more quilting, embroidery or hand work to keep her mind busy.

She was one of the kindest people I have ever known.  She was a good Aunt.  She was married to my Uncle George who died in 1997.  She invited me to quilting bees even though I couldn’t quilt…I learned and whatever my stitches were she always said they were perfect.

Far Guy and I both went to the wake, and then I attended the funeral.  After the service we had a Minnesota Funeral Lunch; scalloped potatoes with ham, bread, green beans, pickles, coleslaw, macaroni salads, fruit salads, every color of Jello with and without fruit and every kind of cake or bar you can imagine.  I didn’t take Jello cause I don’t like it to melt on my plate and get mixed up with my hot foods.  I balanced my slice of bread precariously on top of my green beans.  When I sat down to eat, I arranged my food just so… my other baby brother said “It is all going the same place anyway.” I know but I still don’t like my food to touch. I had a fine visit with one of my cousins who is usually too busy this time of year to talk.

It was raining.  I left before the Funeral Procession, I wanted to get some photos at the cemetery.

St Marys Cemetery

The gravesite

The rain was not letting up.

Aunt Graces Casket awaits burial

The casket awaits.

I got out of the car and stood under a very tall Spruce Tree.

Wet grandchildren

Aunt Grace’s casket bearers were her seventeen grandchildren.

Group of mourners

It kept raining, after the priest was done, someone began singing Silent Night.

Hearse in the rain

The voices carried across the graveyard as it rained and rained. 

Rest In Peace sweet Aunt Grace

Grace

Her birthday photo I took two years ago.

This is the poem her children chose for the inside of her funeral program.

******

Mother’s never die – they just make quilts in the sky.

We will often remember and then realize.

That mothers are special and wonderfully wise…

And when she “Goes home” to recieve her reward

She will dwell in her heavenly home,

and make quilts for the Lord

Where she will “light up” the stars

that shine through the night

So dry tears of sorrow, for mothers don’t die-

They just move in with GOD and make quilts in the sky.

************

 

Blog Signature

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

My deepest sympathy in your loss. What a lovely picture of her from 2 years ago. The quilts are beautiful works of "heart"; I see one of my favorites with the little sunbonnet girls. The poem is very sweet.

Intense Guy said...

A most touching poem. It is a shame the rain made a difficult time all the harder.

Tom said...

Lovely tribute. "A bed without a quilt is like the night sky without stars."

KH said...

You might like to see this Yellow Lady Slipper for the date June 4. Every day is a different feast for the eyes.
http://nature365.tv

DJan said...

Thank you for letting me share a little in your grief. She sounds like a simply wonderful person who will be remembered with love for a long, long time. Rest in peace, Grace.

Patsy said...

Wonderful memorial! Lots of love in those quilt's.

Phyllis Pritchard said...

Very nice memorial.Grace was a special lady, she will be missed.

Mac n' Janet said...

What a beautiful poem, she sounds like a wonderful Aunt, Mother and lady.

Tired Teacher said...

Your photos at the cemetery are moving and respectful. May her family and extended family cherish their memories of Grace.

Jenn Jilks said...

My condolences. What a great celebration of life!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

L. D. said...

Oh wow, you had to share the poem. I guess my mom is making quilts in the sky. The funeral really is for those who are left behind. I liked being an outside observer and I didn't get wet. I will face the distributing of all the quilts that I have when we finally move.

Rita said...

You can tell she was well loved. What a nice tribute to her life.
Sorry for your loss.

Shirley said...

May her soul rest eternally in peace.
I don't mind rain at a funeral. It's a reminder that life isn't perfect.

Terry and Linda said...

What a beautiful post!

Linda

Henny Penny said...

Your Aunt Grace sounds like a very sweet lady. Those are some of the prettiest quilts I've ever seen. I know you will miss her.

Karen said...

Rain at a funeral always seems sort of fitting to me. I remember that picture of her from her birthday. Sorry for the loss of your aunt.

Cynthia said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your aunt. She sounds like a lovely lady and those quilts are just beautiful. I hope yu have one to remember her by.

Unknown said...

One of the Best, no question. Always smiling is how I will always remember her.

Granny Marigold said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Your aunt sounds like such a sweet lady. She sure was widowed so young.

Anonymous said...

My condolences on the passing of your aunt. What a brautiful name...Grace. Spunds like it suited her. What a lovely thing her children did to hone her by showing her quilts. Goodness! Look at all those in the photo! RIP Grace.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Sorry for the typos.

Linda W. said...

Sorry to hear about your aunt. Sounds like she was a wonderful, kind lady.

Red said...

My sympathy to you for the loss of an awesome aunt. the poem brought a tear to my eye.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I am so sorry for your loss. It's apparent she was much loved by everyone.
I didn't think there was another soul on earth who was a particular about their food as I am! This made me smile. I do not mix anything together...ever.

Judy said...

So sorry for this loss..she sounds like a nice lady...my daughter also does not like her food to touch, but she will take two plates...

Anonymous said...

Sorry for your loss.
Please tell your cousins that the poem is ***beautiful****.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I love that they sang Silent Night. How beautiful and unexpected.

Anonymous said...

Your aunt sounded so sweet, kind and loving, you probably got that from her as well as her wisdom and quilting..Rest in Peace to another angel quilting for the Lord, condolences sent from our home to yours..what a wonderful family you are from, love your blog read it daily..peace, and prayers to you and yours!

Sam I Am...... said...

What a wonderful memorial to her. She sounded like a wonderful woman and someone who touched many lives.