Linda: Mom’s Eulogy

Mom enjoyed so many things of a creative nature. She sewed for us, reupholstered our old furniture, made quilts and crocheted, could play the piano and guitar. One of my favourite childhood memories is of lying in my bed at night listening as mom played the piano and dad the violin or harmonica, singing around the piano. But of all the interests, talents and gifts mom possessed, there was none she enjoyed so much as having people over. She truly had the gift of hospitality and almost every Sunday after church, if we were home, she invited someone for dinner. Not lunch, but dinner with all the trimmings. Tea and coffee were always on.

My family certainly benefited from her generous nature and at one time ended up staying three months with them. This was not uncommon as others in the family had similar experiences. Someone said they had said to mom, “How can I ever repay you for all you’ve done?” Mom replied, “You won’t need to repay me. Just pass it on.”

And it was always fun at Mom and Dad’s. Mom and Dad shared a great sense of humor and a repartee that was so much fun to watch and listen to. Dad got such a kick out of mom and no one could bring a sparkle to mom’s eyes and make her laugh like dad could, right until the day he passed away.

Mom was like the family dispatcher, getting all of us, including Dad, ready to go somewhere, sending us off or taking us to one thing or another. I remember one time she came to Rosetown to babysit while Glenn and I went on a trip. One morning at about 8:30 Rick casually mentioned to Grandma that he needed 25 bags of popcorn for a school popcorn and candy sale that morning. I can just imagine Mom’s gasp as she realized she would never be able to get that done by 9:00. She sent them all off and delivered the popcorn to the school in time for the sale. Rick said her popcorn sold first. She asked him how he knew that, and he said because there were butter spots on the paper bags and so everyone knew it was buttered popcorn. She sure laughed about that.

Then there was the time Terry—or was it Tammy?—who always enjoyed Grandpa’s Sunday morning pancakes, said, “Grandpa, these are the best pancakes you ever made!” Grandma and Grandpa exchanged amused looks as Grandpa said with a chuckle, “Grandma made the pancakes this morning!”

Mom’s teaching, her wisdom, her love will always surround us. I would call her the Proverbs 31 woman: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Her children rise up and call her blessed.”