Tomorrow will be two whole weeks since we had Aunt Phyllis’ funeral. She looked very peaceful and beautiful though not really like herself. We were told they had to work very hard to build her up as she was so thin; but she, indeed, did look wonderful.
The weather today started out as -7 degrees (the day for the Packer playoff game before the Superbowl.) And two weeks ago, it rained and rained and rained. As a result we didn’t process to the Cemetery; it would’ve been difficult for the elderly in attendance.
The Funeral Mass was beautiful: John Michl played guitar and sang along with Kim Peck–a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice from his parish of St. James in Sussex. The music included “Be Not Afraid”, “Ave Maria”, “How Great Thou Art”, Here I Am Lord, and Songs of the Angels” among others. Many, many people commented on the music.
Sister Margaret Bosch and Rosemary Hetzel did the readings, and Sister Maureen Hopkins distributed the Holy Bread, while Jack and Peg distributed the cups. Fr. Mike Burns was the celebrant and had a beautiful homily.
Euologies were presented by Kevin Eggert —who read the one written by David Gasperetti, Karen Eggert, and Ally Eggert. All in all, it was a beautiful funeral Mass for Phyllis. Many people attended—family, friends, and new friends at St. Anne’s.
From St. Anne’s we went to Alioto’s Restaurant for a wonderful buffet of baked chicken, tenderloin tips on noodles, mashed potatoes, all the fixings, and dessert. I think Phyllis would have been happy with this day.
Schmidt/Bartelt were the undertakers and very much appreciated; the flowers came from Alpha Flower Shop on North Ave. and were gorgeous. After the lunch, Debbie and I went back to the apartment and made boquets of flowers (all roses) and put them at various residents’ apartments. What a fun thing to do with an excess of beautiful flowers.
Now it’s all over. Sometimes hard to believe that Auntie has left us. But on the other hand I often look upward and say: “What do you think, now, Auntie? Is it as wonderful as we said it would be? Then I can only smile.
Thanks for the blessings you afforded us, Auntie. You were greatly loved and will always be remembered with fondness.
