This post will be fairly long because I have included some of the speeches from the service. Gord was the emcee and he did an incredible job! Then he introduced a few people who had asked to be included, including both of my sons(have I ever said how proud of them I am?) and Deanne and Emily. Deanne and Emily read together the motto that we had printed on the back of the leaflet. After those folks he opened up the mike for anyone to say a few words and it was quite amazing to see how many could get up and share some thoughts. And what lovely tributes to Mom. All of us kids know how wonderful she was and it was so nice to know how many others share that feeling. After all had spoken then Gord called upon Judy to lead us in the Lord's Prayer. Her preface to the prayer just about made me cry.
The only problem is that I have now put a couple of photos in and they apparently have to be at the top!
The first section is the speech that Gord made.
Jennie McD. Memorial Service, Aug 8, 2008
Good afternoon everyone. My name is Gord Kiteley, eldest son of Jennie’s daughter Wanda. I will be serving as a makeshift emcee for today’s proceedings. I make no promises of getting through all of this without occasionally becoming overcome by emotion or presenting a tear, however I will do my best to keep things moving and, as grandma would have liked, focused on the happy times we all shared with her.
Before we start, there is an anecdote about my humble public speaking beginnings I would like to share. It brought down the house the first time, and if it brings a smile to the faces of the people that were there to hear it again, it will be worth rehashing.
I believe it was grandpa’s 70th birthday and word came down that the adults thought it would be nice if one of the grandkids got up and said a few words. Even at the tender age of about 11 or 12, I was rarely at a loss for a clever quip, so the task fell onto my shoulders. I hummed and I hawed and I scratched out ideas and I came up with, what I thought, was a pretty good game plan: Hit ‘em with a joke, toast the old fella with some tired cliché and sign off with his patented “…And keep your hands in your pockets!!!” that he had so often hollered at my brother and I as we raced into a store with him.
I got up there in front of a roomful of people I didn’t know, swallowed hard and said “When the grandkids were asked to speak here tonight, we all got together and drew straws to see who was going to do it. And, no, I didn’t win!”
Well, the room erupted, there was people slamming drinks down on the table doing their best to keep from spitting all over, my normally stoic father had beer dripping out his nostrils and, probably best of all, my grandpa was laughing like I had never seen him before.
I harbor no delusions of delivering an all-timer like that today, but I do hope to deliver the kind of performance befitting the day.
On behalf of Jennie’s family, I would like to thank each of you for your presence here today. It has been said that the true treasures of a life are the friends you leave behind, and judging from all the people here today, grandma enjoyed a wealth she may never know again.
(Eulogy – Expanded Version)
At this time, I would like to ask Lorraine Tarasoff and Pam Mosby to come up and sing one of grandma’s favorite songs, Amazing Grace.
(The Song)
One thing that grandma’s situation afforded us as grandkids was the opportunity to tell her just how we felt about all the time she spent with us, the things she taught us and just how much we appreciated all she did. A few of us would like to share with you what we shared with her.
Diarmid, if you could come up please.
Kevin would like to say a few words as well.
I have been told that I have a habit of stating my opinion as fact. If you know my mother, this likely isn’t a huge surprise. But, in her defense, she came by it honestly as well.
One of my favorite memories of grandma is sitting in her living room discussing the growing carbon content in our atmosphere and its link to the near-record high temperatures being seen around the world. After listening to Karen, Deanne and I talk about various programs we had watched on it, cite numerous published studies in various industry journals, grandma looks at us incredulously and says “Oh, you don’t believe in that Greenhouse Gas crap do you??”
Later that night, as my wife and I lay in bed talking about how certain grandma was that the whole this was a media-driven hoax, Deanne reached over to turn her light out and said “I see where you get that from now!”
(Read My Memory)
At this time, I would like to ask Emily DaCosta and Deanne Kiteley to come up and read a few words.
(Family Circle)
Now, we would like to open the mike up to anyone in the group who would like to come up and share something about grandma. Please feel free to spend as much or as little time up here as you like, but know that any contribution will be greatly appreciated.
(Open Mike)
At this time, Judy Tagami would like to say a few words.
(Judy)
In closing, I would like mention that there will be an interment to follow at a later date at the Silver Stream Cemetery in Leacross Sk. The family would also like to ask you to stay and join us for a tea and social immediately following the proceedings.
Finally, on behalf of the family, we would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to come out and remember grandma with us. Looking around the room I can truly say we are here to celebrate a life’s work, well done.
Thank you.
Here are Diarmid's words. Please try to read them with an Australian accent because that's how we heard them!
Thanks Gord.
Now, I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but I'm pretty sure I've come from further away than anyone else so that I could be here today. I left behind my wife Jenn and our children, who I know would really like to be here, and travelled from Australia, as some of you will know, with the intent of visiting my gramma one last time. I was fortunate to arrive when I did, as mere hours later she was gone. So now I am here to celebrate the life of a woman who had such a huge influence over the person I am today. While I was on the plane I had a fair bit of time to think about the sorts of words I'd like to say to gramma about the positive things she did to help shape me, and while I didn't have a chance to share them with her, I am proud to share some of my thoughts with you:
Gramma knew how to make an impression, even on the most hardened teenager. When gramma first met Amy, our eldest, while she visited for our wedding, she very casually took Amy aside and thrust a fifty-dollar note into her hand. “Now don't you go and tell anyone about this,” gramma said.. This is yours.” Amy dutifully didn't, although she certainly tells the story excitedly nowadays. When pressed, Stephanie revealed that the same happened to her, and when she told of it, she shared a conspiratorial grin with her sister. And while gramma didn't give Jacob the same treatment, as he was a bit young then, his teenage boy bravado now presents us with the judgment that “Gramma owns.” While I'm not 100% certain exactly what that means, I am sure it's a good thing. Zach, being a man of few words, will only indicate that he agrees with Jacob, and for someone who doesn't smile much, he wears a suspiciously big grin when nodding his assent.
Gramma also knew how the simplest things will often make the best gifts for kids, and picked things that would fire their imaginations. Our younger boys Indy, Reyne and George still run more batteries through their flashlights she sent them the Christmas before last than they ever have through the remote control cars they've begged so insistently for.
Gramma, you made everyone feel as though they were your favourite. This is most obvious to me from the way that, from the day you met her, you made Jenn feel like she had always been a part of our family.
You lived for others, but were happy in yourself, rather than living for yourself and being only happy through others.
You gave me belief when I had none, doubt when I didn't have enough, and laughter and love always.You helped make me who I am, not by where you pushed me, but by where you led me.You made our family what it is, and while I rightly fear that it will never be quite the same again, you have, through myriad little ways, shown me that hope is a powerful antidote to fear.The life you led, where you warmed so many hearts, and lit so many faces with smiles, while almost never warming any tempers (excepting one infamous one), can't help but make us proud. And you live on still, in warming our hearts and lighting our smiling faces, and inspiring us to follow your wise and sensible path. You can be sure that we feel you have lived your best life, and while sad that we will see you no more, we will be overjoyed when we have our own flashes of brilliance, and see your hand in our own actions, or speak words that could easily have been yours.
What will I miss about you gramma? I will miss finishing your crosswords, and while there's still a crossword in the paper every day, I really prefer to finish, rather than start them. It just feels like my place in things.Probably what I will miss most of all is "the look." You know the one. It has so many uses. It can express doubt at the truth of one of Gord's stories, or can chide my mother when she's just a bit too pleased with herself. It can suggest to Christa or Jimmy that whatever inappropriate subject they're alluding to is better left as allusions. Whenever Lor gets the look, she seems not to notice, though I think she's acting like the youngest child, and is simply willfully ignoring it. I mean, a youngest child can do no wrong, right? Wanda, well, she rarely seems to get the look. Now that I think of it, neither do I. I'm not sure why that is. Mind you, the look lives on. I've certainly seen George shoot the same look at his brothers when something is going wrong or one of them is being a bit too silly.
We will go on, striving to be like you, and though that picture of you each of us holds in our hearts is different, that striving is your immortality.
Thank you.
Thanks Gord.
Now, I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but I'm pretty sure I've come from further away than anyone else so that I could be here today. I left behind my wife Jenn and our children, who I know would really like to be here, and travelled from Australia, as some of you will know, with the intent of visiting my gramma one last time. I was fortunate to arrive when I did, as mere hours later she was gone. So now I am here to celebrate the life of a woman who had such a huge influence over the person I am today. While I was on the plane I had a fair bit of time to think about the sorts of words I'd like to say to gramma about the positive things she did to help shape me, and while I didn't have a chance to share them with her, I am proud to share some of my thoughts with you:
Gramma knew how to make an impression, even on the most hardened teenager. When gramma first met Amy, our eldest, while she visited for our wedding, she very casually took Amy aside and thrust a fifty-dollar note into her hand. “Now don't you go and tell anyone about this,” gramma said.. This is yours.” Amy dutifully didn't, although she certainly tells the story excitedly nowadays. When pressed, Stephanie revealed that the same happened to her, and when she told of it, she shared a conspiratorial grin with her sister. And while gramma didn't give Jacob the same treatment, as he was a bit young then, his teenage boy bravado now presents us with the judgment that “Gramma owns.” While I'm not 100% certain exactly what that means, I am sure it's a good thing. Zach, being a man of few words, will only indicate that he agrees with Jacob, and for someone who doesn't smile much, he wears a suspiciously big grin when nodding his assent.
Gramma also knew how the simplest things will often make the best gifts for kids, and picked things that would fire their imaginations. Our younger boys Indy, Reyne and George still run more batteries through their flashlights she sent them the Christmas before last than they ever have through the remote control cars they've begged so insistently for.
Gramma, you made everyone feel as though they were your favourite. This is most obvious to me from the way that, from the day you met her, you made Jenn feel like she had always been a part of our family.
You lived for others, but were happy in yourself, rather than living for yourself and being only happy through others.
You gave me belief when I had none, doubt when I didn't have enough, and laughter and love always.You helped make me who I am, not by where you pushed me, but by where you led me.You made our family what it is, and while I rightly fear that it will never be quite the same again, you have, through myriad little ways, shown me that hope is a powerful antidote to fear.The life you led, where you warmed so many hearts, and lit so many faces with smiles, while almost never warming any tempers (excepting one infamous one), can't help but make us proud. And you live on still, in warming our hearts and lighting our smiling faces, and inspiring us to follow your wise and sensible path. You can be sure that we feel you have lived your best life, and while sad that we will see you no more, we will be overjoyed when we have our own flashes of brilliance, and see your hand in our own actions, or speak words that could easily have been yours.
What will I miss about you gramma? I will miss finishing your crosswords, and while there's still a crossword in the paper every day, I really prefer to finish, rather than start them. It just feels like my place in things.Probably what I will miss most of all is "the look." You know the one. It has so many uses. It can express doubt at the truth of one of Gord's stories, or can chide my mother when she's just a bit too pleased with herself. It can suggest to Christa or Jimmy that whatever inappropriate subject they're alluding to is better left as allusions. Whenever Lor gets the look, she seems not to notice, though I think she's acting like the youngest child, and is simply willfully ignoring it. I mean, a youngest child can do no wrong, right? Wanda, well, she rarely seems to get the look. Now that I think of it, neither do I. I'm not sure why that is. Mind you, the look lives on. I've certainly seen George shoot the same look at his brothers when something is going wrong or one of them is being a bit too silly.
We will go on, striving to be like you, and though that picture of you each of us holds in our hearts is different, that striving is your immortality.
Thank you.
Kevin ad-libbed his words but mentioned a card that he had given Mom for her birthday this year that he had chosen particularly because it spoke of "grandmotherly hugs".
During the open mike period Wanda LeBlanc spoke and she was kind enough to share them with us:
“The span between life and death can seem as quick and sudden as a puff of wind that blows out a candle. But the candle does not suffer after darkness comes. It is the people in the room that stumble and grope.”
My name is Wanda. I've been friends with Jennie and her family for about five years, and I'm very grateful to be here today to honour Jennie.
When Jim called to tell me that his mom, Jennie, had passed on, through tears he said, “I feel so blessed to have the family and friends that I've had in my life.” This from a man who had just lost his mother, the most important woman in his life. That was the best tribute to Jennie that I could think of. It's what she would have said herself. Jennie treated everyone she knew as a true blessing in her life. Her kindness, truly giving heart her humour and wisdom... her baking... were such a gift. The family and friends I have met through Jennie – the circle of people in her life – are a reflection of the amazing woman she was. I want to thank you all, and above all I want to thank Jennie, for extending the blessings of your life to me and my family. We are forever blessed because of you.
Judy has also been kind enough to share her words with me:
It is my privilege to have been a friend and neighbour to Jennie for the past several years, and I am honoured to have been asked to say a few words about her.
Jennie was always well organized and in control. True to form, she was involved in the planning of her own funeral, including what kind of sandwiches to serve and what kind of service to have. She did not want a religious service because she said she was not religious; but, she also said it would be all right if someone wanted to say something religious.
I knew Jennie to be one of the kindest, most caring, and most charitable people I have ever known. She always thought of others before herself and never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She always repaid kindness with even more kindness. To me, Jennie was a religious person. Please join me now in saying the Lord’s Prayer in memory of Jennie.
Jennie was always well organized and in control. True to form, she was involved in the planning of her own funeral, including what kind of sandwiches to serve and what kind of service to have. She did not want a religious service because she said she was not religious; but, she also said it would be all right if someone wanted to say something religious.
I knew Jennie to be one of the kindest, most caring, and most charitable people I have ever known. She always thought of others before herself and never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She always repaid kindness with even more kindness. To me, Jennie was a religious person. Please join me now in saying the Lord’s Prayer in memory of Jennie.
