Funeral Message - (Wife, Mother And Grandmother)

On behalf of Linda, Cindy, Lee, Lynn, Al, Laura and the whole extended _______ family.

Thank you.

Thank you for your prayerful support ... and for taking time this day ....to celebrate the life .... of ... Anne Mally ________.

Wife, Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great grandmother ... and to all ... friend.

And from what I have been told ... as a child growing up in the _______ household ... you were not going to get away with very much ... with Mom.

There was a television show in Cleveland Ohio ... that many of us watched... back in the 50's and 60's ......called Captain Penny.

And he would always end the show.... With these words:

"You can fool some of the people.... all of the time, ....and all of the people ... some of the time, ... (Slow) but you can't fool ... mom."

And that truth ... held true ... in the _______ household ... as well. (Pause)

Moments with mothers ... and with grandmothers.... Often become the foundation ...of memories ... that in turn ... become stories ... that are shared within the family... for many years.

And as Children ... I have found ... we relate....... to our mothers ...differently .... through the years.

Age 4, we say... "My mom.... She can do anything!"

Age 12, ... "Well ... Mom doesn't know....... Everything."

Age 14, ... "Mom doesn't know... Anything!"

Age 18, ... "Mom is out of step ... with the times."

Age 25, ... "Well, ... mom.... knows a few things."

Age 35, ...... "Before we decide to do that, ... let's get Mom's ...opinion."

Age 45, ...... "I wonder what mom would say ......about this?"

Age 65, .... "I wish I could talk ... with my mother." (Long Pause)

Mother and home ... when you mention one ... you just automatically ... think of the other.

And when most of us think of home ... we forget the troubles that may surround us ... and remember the sounds ... the sights ... and the smells ... of home.

Of screen doors banging ... in the summertime, ... the aroma of cookies or bread just out of the oven, ... or the smell ... of our favorite meal.

Home...... we enjoy ... a sense of acceptance there, of being loved. (Pause)

Few things are more powerful ... than the tears ....and the prayers ... of a mother.

Few things are more tender ...than a mother's hug ...or her compassionate touch.

Jesus encourages those who know who call themselves His followers ... to love one another.

To love on another ... as I have loved you.

And I have found that Christ like love for one another ... in the extended _______ family.

And I was honored ... to have been asked ... to be a part of this day.

To be here with you ... to celebrate a life ... well lived. (Pause)

Now ... Anne's presence in a room ... was always felt.

And I found ... that mom ... I always called Anne mom ... well she was always open and ready for a conversation ... and would openly share ... her life stories ... with others.

And she would strike up a conversation with anyone ... no one remained a stranger for long ... with mom.

And by the end of that conversation ... she almost always found ... that they were related ... or had a person ... or an event ... they held in common.

It was a gift ...a marvelously gift.

Mom ... cared deeply for every member ... of her family.

When she would speak of family ... it was much like opening a treasure chest ... with each of your individual names ... on a beautiful box ... within.

She would open your box ... and speak of wonderful memories ... and of glorious hopes ... for each of you.

She loved ... she loved each of you ... dearly.

She loved you with a deep abiding ... love.

The Scriptures speak of the importance of Love in our lives: Hear God's word... BIBLE "Faith, Hope and Love, ... But the greatest of these ... is Love." END (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Mom did not speak of her faith often, ... but her actions ... spoke volumes.

Both Anne and her husband Al were heavily involved at First Church Congregational ... and deeply moved by their spiritual experience ... with Koinonia.

For those who are not aware ... Koinonia is a group of Christians ... across numerous denominations ...that help others experience the Lordship and Love of Christ ... and to know ... his saving grace.

Shortly after their Koinonia ... they both became part of the Gideons.

You probably have encountered a Gideon Bible at a Hotel or Doctors office.