A Beautiful Life

I am sorry to have to report that Janice, my beloved mother-in-law, passed away in the early morning hours of December 27, 2006. She valiantly fought ovarian cancer for 3 years, but in the end, the cancer won out. We will miss her dearly. I will share with you my eulogy from her church service.

Family and friends,

Today we have come to the end of a long and difficult road. Those of us who loved Janice traveled it with her as far as we could. Today, though, she has gone on ahead of us and we are left to mourn.

We are left to mourn someone who was the heart of the family. We are left to mourn someone who was always there when she was needed. Yet despite our sorrow, we are glad that her suffering is over and that she is, at long last, at peace.

Janice died bravely and with great dignity. Worn out though she was by her pain, she didn’t want to leave those she loved but her time had come. I know she knew that she would always be with us in our hearts.We think, of course, that her life was cut short too quickly. She had so much more to give and we feel today as though she has been snatched from us. Yet in her time with us she gave us so much.

There is an empty place where she used to be. Nobody else can fill that place. Yet she has left a lingering presence and it is a happy presence filled with love and understanding.

There are traits of Janice left in her grandchildren. I see her innocence and trusting in Kelly and Cassey, her caring spirit in Elizabeth and Patrick and the twinkle in her eye in Caitlin. Her kindness will carry on throughout the generations. When we look at one child we will see a part of Janice, when we look at another we will be reminded of her in another way. Perhaps that is the real secret of life over death.

Janice was one of the most loving people I know. She had a great big heart and her hospitality reflected that. Janice always made you feel warmly welcome. She was good company and you would never get bored if you were with her. She could talk with you for hours. She also loved to go visiting, whether it was friends in Florida, Arizona or Springfield. If she was in the area, you could always count on her coming by.

She hated meanness in any shape or form and would let her feelings be known very plainly. Janice did everything methodically and couldn't leave the house without checking every plug, the stove, the oven, the toaster or anything else that might bring disaster upon the house while she and Perry are at church or out to dinner. She was always the last one out the door, which frustrated Perry to no end!!She loved the fresh air and enjoyed walking, especially with her Cleo. She always had to have something sweet after every meal, whether it was some ice cream, a cookie or jello. We also had what we lovingly called “O’Leary Dessert” at family dinners which meant that just as soon as the table was cleared from dinner, the desserts immediately appeared, and Janice usually had “just a bit” of each one on the table. She loved music and on Saturday the 23rd at Perry’s 82nd birthday party, she made her way upstairs at my house and sang a song while Steve accompanied her on his guitar. She was so happy to finally get him to play for her so she could sing along. It was a special moment.

We won't hear her voice anymore. We won't hear her telling us to wash our hands. We won’t hear her telling Perry exactly how, when and where she wanted him to do things. We won't hear her lament over losing again and again at her Friday night card games. Or hear her joy when she finally won!! Sometime in the future, though, when somebody else says something we'll think, “That's just what Janice said.” Sometime we'll hear a song and say “That's the song Grammie sang” and we'll smile through our tears.

Today we are crying for ourselves because Janice is gone and already we miss her so much. Yet she is at peace now and pain free and for that we must be glad. So Janice, it's time to rest.


Today there's a feeling of peace in the air

Of a journey that's over and done

And though we are sad because of our loss

There's a feeling too that we've won

Because it was hard to see you suffer

To watch you when you were in pain

And yet from your courage and bravery

We all had so much to gain

So rest easy now as you go on your way

To the Heaven's above and as we say

Our final farewells with tears in our eyes

We know that despite these so sad goodbyes

You've given us memories to cherish, hold dear

Goodbye, rest with God and you'll still be near.