ACCUSTOMED, CEREMONIOUS
In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
~ John 14:2-3 (KJV) ~
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| My mother Mary (1931 - 2020)
with her father Paul (1895 - 1983) and middle-brother John (1932 - 1983) ~ November 1981 ~ |
My mother's funeral service is one of the many across the world that was held belatedly this year. For the past decade, Mother's Day has seemed to work better than Thanksgiving or Christmas for our family reunions, even during the year of COVID. Despite the pandemic, we all met up in Southeast Kansas to visit my mom's for Mother’s Day 2020, and she died a month later, on June 15, 2020. So Mothers Day 2021 seemed an obvious choice for the service, especially since it didn’t really seem safe to plan the service any sooner, with all of us traveling from various locations.
January 21, 1931 — June 15, 2020
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| Earlier Tributes on blog & facebook |
A long-time resident of Caney, Mary was born on January 21, 1931 in Peru, Kansas, to Paul J. and M. Rovilla Heidemann Lindsey. She attended grade school in Peru, high school in Caney (Class of 1948), and college in Bethany, Oklahoma. She worked for Foster Petroleum, Phillips Petroleum, and Continental Can Company for several years before marrying Willard M. Carriker, also of Caney, in 1960.
Willard, Mary, and their six children lived for a year in Mountain Home, Idaho, before settling in Neosho, Missouri (1962 - 1967) and in the St. Louis area (1967 - 1984), where Mary worked in human resources for several companies and Willard worked in quality control for McDonnell Douglas. They returned to Caney for retirement in 1984.
All of her life, Mary loved to read and write and play the piano. Upon returning to Caney, she played for both the Church of the Nazarene and the United Methodist Church. She completed an Associate of Arts degree in 1995 at Coffeyville Community College, volunteered for the high school debate team, and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Aaron wrote: "Mom was an avid arm-chair traveler. She loved to sit and look at maps and reminisce about trips she'd taken or talk about trips she would like to take. Or look at a map and follow along as you told her about a trip you'd taken. She also liked to compare old road maps to new ones, to see how much things had changed over the years. Another of her hobbies was star-gazing. She loved to go out and look at the stars and point out the different stars and constellations."
Mary is survived by her children David (Marion) of Independence, Peggy Rosenbluth, Bruce, Kitti (Gerry McCartney), Diane (Tom Burrows), and Aaron (Pam); nine grandchildren: Hans (Chantel) Carriker, Jerrod (Amanda) Rosenbluth, Daniel Rosenbluth, Anna (Joe) Lesher, Sara Carriker, Ben (Cathleen) McCartney, Sam McCartney, Aaron Burrows, and Jessica Kimbrel; fourteen great - grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Willard (in 1987) and their infant daughter Hope (in 1964); also her brothers Dwight, John, and Earl; her son - in - law Ron Rosenbluth, and grandson - in - law Dave Kimbrel. Mary's memorial service was held on Monday, May 10, 2021.
Memorial contributions can be made to
The AWOL Humane Society of Independence
P.O. Box 290
Independence, KS 67301
www.independenceks.gov/230/Animal-ControlAWOL-Humane-Society
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I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes —
I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
~ Job 19:25-27 (NIV) ~
Music Video Tribute
The Holy City ~ sung by Larry Ford
For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.~ 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 (NKJV) ~
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I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die.
And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in
faith, shall not die for ever.
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.
After my awaking, he will raise me up;
and in my body I shall see God.
I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him
who is my friend and not a stranger.
For none of us has life in himself,
and none becomes his own master when he dies.
For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord,
and if we die, we die in the Lord.
So, then, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord's possession.
Book of Common Prayer (p 491)
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Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 -1892)
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Music Video Tribute
The Lord's Prayer ~ sung by Jim Nabors
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
[additional stanza]
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
lyrics by Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888)
music by Philip Bliss (1838 – 1876)
and unto dust shalt thou return.
~ Genesis 3:19 (KJV) ~
Next Fortnightly Post
Friday, May 28
Between now and then, read
THE QUOTIDIAN KIT
my shorter, almost daily blog posts
www.dailykitticarriker.blogspot.com
Looking for a good book? Try
KITTI'S LIST
my running list of recent reading
www.kittislist.blogsppot.com
A Loving Tribute from Mumbi Gakuo:
ReplyDeleteMom was blessed with a large family, and that must have given her great joy.
She inspired and encouraged me a lot during our many conversations, reminding me to look at the bright side of life, and she herself was a perfect example.
When I spoke to her about my unfulfilled dreams, she would point out to me, that being a good mother is as important (if not more important) than any other socially valued accomplishments.
She was a mother and a mentor to me, and I will truly miss her. I knew that she was very sick, and I didn’t want her to suffer, but I also didn’t want this to happen; I wanted a miracle to take place.
She told me years back that she wanted to “become my Mom” after she learned that my mother had died.
She became my Mom.
THANK YOU MOM
Like a flower that never loses its beauty,
Like an evergreen tree of life,
That's you.
Your heart overflows with nurturing love,
Everyone is family
In your love blanket.
When I am confused and discouraged,
When I am troubled and uncertain,
You listen.
Your protective wings surround me,
Creating a nest, a haven of peace,
In your love blanket.
Love, Mumbi
Kind words from Robert Lindsey - Nassif, whose mother, the late Barbara Lindsey Nassif, was Mary's first cousin:
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this. I certainly send you my love and condolences.
What wonderful photos of a beautiful woman. She exudes such warmth and love. You've written a truly lovely tribute to her. It sounds like she had a full life and did so much for those around her. And I love that contributions may be made to the Humane Society. That says everything about your mother.
Sending love,
Rob