funeral number one

It has been a weekend of funerals.

Two of my friends, both women, a generation apart, were put to rest this week.

The first service was Saturday afternoon. Our church has a capacity of about 500 and every seat was full. The parking lot was full.

Eulogies can have a little “who is that” about them. After all, why emphasize the departed’s foibles. But it is refreshing if there is a tiny balance, somewhere.

Jeanne did not know a stranger. She knew every kids name in the church, even those who just moved her last week. She also knew every one’s business, and remembered all the details.

It is not that she used that information for evil, she just knew.

Her two college age sons spoke eloquently about her as a mom, about their good times, and even about them arguing, but they never questioned her love.

The curious thing is that so many people attended but there was only a death notice in the paper. Her husband did not want an obituary and there was none. I can only guess the reason, and my guess is not particularly ennobling.

She was a good person who went way to soon. We worked together for some years in various church projects. She had the tendency to do more, to dominate, but she never shirked her duty.

I will miss her. I was an unflinching member of her fan club. RIP my friend.