Celebration of life

This is how our rector described the two funerals which were held recently at St. John’s. Two other folks on the Altar Guild were on duty. I went to help them out and I wanted to go to the first funeral.

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Erika died peacefully at the age of 97 surrounded by her family. She and her husband Paul (who died in 1994) worshipped at St. John’s since 1976.

From her obituary
“Erika touched the lives of many in Germany, England and Canada with her courage, her wisdom and her friendship.”

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Gini was killed in a car accident just after Christmas. I do not remember her too well from St. John’s - she might have been attending more when I was not around so much because of being available for my mom.

From her obituary
“Although we grieve the tragic, sudden and unexpected loss of a truly exceptional …”

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I went to school at Traf with Erika’s youngest daughter. I was quite surprised when I met her at an Ascension Day supper. She said that her dad was coming to be an honorary assistant at St. John’s.

Throughout the years Erika and her daughter Monica were much involved in church life at many levels. Other family members appeared regularly for Erika’s birthday celebrations and other special events.

I have in my archives funeral programs for folks who made a significant impact on my life. Paul Busing was one of them. When I read the program I found quite a few similarities. Allen celebrated the Eucharist; Bruce was the cantor for the Psalm; at the end the choir sang In Paradisum from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem. Erika will be buried in Arundel near Lachute alongside Paul.

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There was a lot of family remembering at both funerals. After the second one a friend said to me - what a waste. I felt it was sad that someone my sister’s age had died so suddenly. For me the emotional impact was at the first service.

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This was a long two days with lots of people at both services. After the celebration in the church there was food and conversation in the parish hall.

I said to a long time friend - how are you holding up? She said - it is hard when you get older and parents die. She also said - my dad is dying. We shared a warm long hug.