Bob*: Eulogy for Mom

Let me begin by quoting an excerpt from an email I received from an old classmate, Lee Hope, upon hearing of Mom’s passing: “Losing one’s mom is unlike any other loss we have, and I think, you being the only boy, Bob, I know you held a special place in her life and loves … I spent considerable time remembering her, especially in those years when she was raising a family and busy contributing to her community in all kinds of ways. She and Mom shared their joys and sorrows of life in a friendship that lasted many years…”

Our mother was as sweet a person as you would ever wish to meet. One could not ask for a more loving, downright interested and dedicated mother. She loved baseball, curling and hockey and whatever book you were reading. Being a tiger on the roads, hers was the ride of choice for many of us traveling to sporting events in other towns before school buses. We always arrived first. She must have been fast, because according to our Dad she was never ready to leave on time for anything. She had to make sure the house was tidy in case anyone visited while she was away. That was our Yellow Rose of Texas.

Mom was a woman who lived her beliefs and never compromised them. She was respected by all who knew her for her commitment and dedication to God and the church. She always seemed to see the good in people and gave some of the most incredible reasons that might explain bad behavior in others. For many of those her prayers have since been answered and all is well.

For those who grew up in Spiritwood in the ‘40s and ‘50s, we were privileged to be raised by a wonderful group of neighborhood mothers: Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Hope, Mrs. Konsmo, and my second mom Mrs. Sidoruk, aong others. We didn’t need ‘neighborhood watch’ or marked safe houses. They were all safe houses and, of course, a place for a good lecture if it was required. In Spiritwood your deeds never went unnoticed and the word often beat you home. The end of an era indeed.

I know that at heaven’s gate there would have been the sounding of trumpets and the singing of angels as a dear one was welcomed home to join our father and the others. I can only pray that we will all be worthy of joining them when we too shall pass.

Rest in peace, dear one, and thank you for your love and prayers. They will be sorely missed.

*Lorrie and Bob were not able to come back from Australia for the funeral. But they were in Canada for a family wedding—in the rain!—in August.

Lorrie: Eulogy for second Mum

My name is Lorrie Bowes* and I am married to Robert.

I have said many times in the past that it has been a wonderful gift from God to have been a part of the Elmer and Madge Bowes family. And so as I write this my heart is filled with a mixture of  sorrow and joy.

Sorrow because I am saying goodbye to a lady who was my second Mum for 38 years. A lady who was so like my Mum with her strong belief in God and her  quiet Christian ways. After my Mum passed away I blamed God for many years but Madge, in her quiet, gentle and loving way, was able to help me heal and I came to realize that while I had lost one mother I had been blessed with a wonderful “second Mum.” She was always there when you needed her—whether it was to give you a hug or just listen to you talk—she would always make the time no matter what she was in the middle of doing or what time of the day or night you turned up. She listened and guided but never criticized although there were many times when I am sure she wanted to.

I loved her and I thank her for so lovingly including me in her wonderful family. I thank her also for being such a wonderful example of

“doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

So in spite of the sorrow, I also feel joy in knowing that she is at peace, but more importantly I am convinced that she has been welcomed with the words

“well done thou good and faithful servant.”

That is as good as it gets and that is no less than “our Mum” deserves.

*Lorrie and Bob were not able to come back from Australia for the funeral.