Mom's Memorial
We had my mother's memorial service last night. It was a wonderful celebration of her life. When I got up to speak I was overwhelmed by the standing room only crowd. It was an exciting reminding of the lives my mother touched. I have included my prepared remarks/eulogy for those who where not able to attend.
This will be my last post concerning the events of the last week, and I will get back to the pressing issues of the day. Thank you for your kind words, support and understanding over the last few weeks. I have really felt the support.
Eulogy Carol S Depasquale March 23, 1948 - January 1, 2009
When my mom was diagnosed with the brain tumor she shared with Joy and I that she would be more than willing to die a horrible death if it brings glory to the Father. And right now, from my vantage point, through the fog of grief, it is hard to reconcile that, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has been glorified through her suffering. I can see the impact she made, I can see the healing she brought to so many people and I know that the grace and peace that she faced her illness with created a standard and a hope for everyone who was privileged to witness it.
In a time like this it is hard to celebrate. It seems that mourning and celebration are in many ways mutually exclusive, but as we mourn the loss of my mother, we get to celebrate her life and the eternal impact that she had on so many other people. Mom had always dreamed, long before Joy or I had any children, of being the “Grandma Down the Street” where she could pour into the hearts of our children while taking an active, daily role in their lives. She got to do that, and her grandchildren will forever be better for the experience.
But my mother did not stop at sharing the love of Jesus with just her own children and grandchildren. She poured into the kids in every community she has ever lived in. She led backyard Bible clubs and vacation Bible schools, Whirly Birds and Gems for Jesus and then when she moved to Las Vegas she started working with AWANAs which became a major part of her life and ministry. After moving to Woodland Park, my mom became Miss Carol, the Sparky’s teacher, to many of your children. I am confident that the seeds that my mother sewed into the lives of two generations of children will continue to bear fruit until Jesus returns for the final harvest. So in many ways, while my mother is gone to be with Jesus, there is a little bit of her that will forever be with us in the hearts of the children she touched.
My mom loved deeply and with out condition and that is a legacy that we all can celebrate even in this time of great sadness. I got to witness and experience another beautiful thing through this whole ordeal. Steve’s love for my mom. I always knew that Steve loved my mom, but through all of this I got to see the beautiful expression of his love and that overwhelmed me. I pray that I mature and develop the strength of character and selfless commitment that Steve modeled for my son’s and I. We are grateful and forever better for it.
Those of you, who knew my mom, know that she was a very bright and intelligent woman. She never settled for someone giving her an answer, but instead would diligently study the Word and search for truth. She could be a great debater and stunningly articulate apologist. There were always questions, insights and friendly arguments with my mom on many subjects (any subject!). I am celebrating in my heart, right now my mom is getting all her questions answered, all the loose ends bound and the joy she experienced with those “ah ha” moments will be eternal and overwhelming.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” That is Philippians 1:21. My mom whispered that to me back before her first surgery in ‘07. I understand today why. While we mourn her loss, please help us temper the grief with this fact. Mom hit the jackpot on the first of January. For the believer who puts their trust in the sole sufficiency of the blood of Jesus: to die is gain. She has gained. Wholeness, physically and spiritually. She has gained. Peace that is all encompassing. She has gained. Communion with our heavenly Father. She has gained.
If you have any reservation about what lies beyond this life. If you doubt that “to die is gain” than please don’t leave this celebration without talking to someone about it… Don’t walk away when the Father is so close at hand.
In the next several weeks, if you would do us a favor, would you write out a cherished memory of our mom and share it with us? Would you help us to document her legacy as an example of what an impact a godly woman can have? We would really appreciate it and want to make sure her grandchildren understand and can celebrate for years to come their grandma.
Mom, we love you. You where a great example to us. We are celebrating your life and the lasting impact you made. Enjoy heaven, we will join you in time, and what a wonderful family reunion that will be…
This will be my last post concerning the events of the last week, and I will get back to the pressing issues of the day. Thank you for your kind words, support and understanding over the last few weeks. I have really felt the support.
Eulogy Carol S Depasquale March 23, 1948 - January 1, 2009
When my mom was diagnosed with the brain tumor she shared with Joy and I that she would be more than willing to die a horrible death if it brings glory to the Father. And right now, from my vantage point, through the fog of grief, it is hard to reconcile that, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has been glorified through her suffering. I can see the impact she made, I can see the healing she brought to so many people and I know that the grace and peace that she faced her illness with created a standard and a hope for everyone who was privileged to witness it.
In a time like this it is hard to celebrate. It seems that mourning and celebration are in many ways mutually exclusive, but as we mourn the loss of my mother, we get to celebrate her life and the eternal impact that she had on so many other people. Mom had always dreamed, long before Joy or I had any children, of being the “Grandma Down the Street” where she could pour into the hearts of our children while taking an active, daily role in their lives. She got to do that, and her grandchildren will forever be better for the experience.
But my mother did not stop at sharing the love of Jesus with just her own children and grandchildren. She poured into the kids in every community she has ever lived in. She led backyard Bible clubs and vacation Bible schools, Whirly Birds and Gems for Jesus and then when she moved to Las Vegas she started working with AWANAs which became a major part of her life and ministry. After moving to Woodland Park, my mom became Miss Carol, the Sparky’s teacher, to many of your children. I am confident that the seeds that my mother sewed into the lives of two generations of children will continue to bear fruit until Jesus returns for the final harvest. So in many ways, while my mother is gone to be with Jesus, there is a little bit of her that will forever be with us in the hearts of the children she touched.
My mom loved deeply and with out condition and that is a legacy that we all can celebrate even in this time of great sadness. I got to witness and experience another beautiful thing through this whole ordeal. Steve’s love for my mom. I always knew that Steve loved my mom, but through all of this I got to see the beautiful expression of his love and that overwhelmed me. I pray that I mature and develop the strength of character and selfless commitment that Steve modeled for my son’s and I. We are grateful and forever better for it.
Those of you, who knew my mom, know that she was a very bright and intelligent woman. She never settled for someone giving her an answer, but instead would diligently study the Word and search for truth. She could be a great debater and stunningly articulate apologist. There were always questions, insights and friendly arguments with my mom on many subjects (any subject!). I am celebrating in my heart, right now my mom is getting all her questions answered, all the loose ends bound and the joy she experienced with those “ah ha” moments will be eternal and overwhelming.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” That is Philippians 1:21. My mom whispered that to me back before her first surgery in ‘07. I understand today why. While we mourn her loss, please help us temper the grief with this fact. Mom hit the jackpot on the first of January. For the believer who puts their trust in the sole sufficiency of the blood of Jesus: to die is gain. She has gained. Wholeness, physically and spiritually. She has gained. Peace that is all encompassing. She has gained. Communion with our heavenly Father. She has gained.
If you have any reservation about what lies beyond this life. If you doubt that “to die is gain” than please don’t leave this celebration without talking to someone about it… Don’t walk away when the Father is so close at hand.
In the next several weeks, if you would do us a favor, would you write out a cherished memory of our mom and share it with us? Would you help us to document her legacy as an example of what an impact a godly woman can have? We would really appreciate it and want to make sure her grandchildren understand and can celebrate for years to come their grandma.
Mom, we love you. You where a great example to us. We are celebrating your life and the lasting impact you made. Enjoy heaven, we will join you in time, and what a wonderful family reunion that will be…
Tony,
Your "off the page" words at the beginning of your talk were was perhaps the best part.
What you said was incredibly touching and fitting. Your mom was an incredible woman.
One of my fondest memories is the Sunday after we'd cut up the tree in her yard and she took the time to write me a note to say thank you. I'm not sure how she even knew I'd been part of the crew. She was an amazingly kind and thoughtful woman.
Jon
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