The Funeral, September 2, 2017

The funeral for our mom was a very tender and spiritual experience!  What an incredible woman she is and her funeral was a celebration of a life will lived until the very end.  She was and is remarkable!  I think that the greatest compliment that anyone could have given her was when we were preparing for the funeral and all five of her kids were together for three days and there was not one negative thing said about her.  

We agree that she was almost perfect!

Overall, I have to say that this five days has been a very spiritual highlight in my life.  I have been bone exhausted from the emotional highs and lows, but what an incredible time to be able to spend reminiscing about the blessing of this incredible woman in my and so many people’s lives.

What a blessing the Gospel is and the plan of Salvation!

We could feel her spirit very close, and the feeling that we each had was that she was very very happy.  And we knew that she was present and was touched by all of the tender things said about her.

The funeral was held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 with a viewing the night before from 6-8 pm and then again from 9:30 to 10:45 before the funeral on Saturday morning.  Her requests were all honored, with each of her five kids speaking and the grandkids singing and then the song “Oh Divine Redeemer”.  She had planned her funeral years ago and so we have had years to think about it.  The messages that the kids gave were wonderful, and I learned so much about her, things that I didn’t know because I was so much older than each of the other siblings.

It was a joy to have time to spend with our kids!  Ryan flew in on Friday and he and Heather came to the viewing Friday night.  Ryan stepped in and served as my companion, and was very solicitous and thoughtful of my feelings.  I so appreciated his service to me. Gregg and Kim and the kids came on Saturday, as well as Scott and the kids.  It was so fun to be able to have them with me, especially because Paul was not there.  It would have been wonderful to have him with me, but it was a whirlwind of busy work; everything was planned with just my siblings and so Paul would have had nothing to do!  

The viewing was nice, the family prayer that Eric offered was so beautiful!  The funeral lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes and it was tender to watch the pallbearers, all of the grandsons including Ryan and Gregg, carrying their grandmother’s casket.  We then all drove to Highland where she was buried.  The family all gathered and then Shawn gave the dedication of the grave prayer and then we watched them lower her into her vault.  We took lots of photos and those will be a treasure. 

After leaving the cemetery, we reconvened back at the church and the Relief Society provided a lovely lunch for us of ham and “funeral potatoes”, salad, rolls and desserts. 

 A very nice meal.

We then went back to Heather’s house and just vegged and enjoyed being together.

Because of all them just moving to Connecticut Laurel was not able to attend, and because of the flooding in Texas, Leslie could not get out, but most of the family was very well represented.

In attendance;

Kim Blanchard and family

·         Heather, Scott, Kage and Drayden Wihongi

·         Ryan Blanchard

·         Gregg, Kim, Callie and Sam Blanchard

Craig Gallagher

·         Jodi and Kovi Gallagher and several of their children

Lori and Leon Bird and family

·         Kendall Bird

·         Tyler Bird

·         Sarah and Travis Joseph

·         Leon’s parents

Eric and Lisa Gallagher and family

·         Shawn Gallagher

·         Michael Gallagher

·         Connor Gallagher

·         Lisa’s parents

Shawn and Ann Gallagher and family

·         Kyle Gallagher

·         Andrew Gallagher

·         Mark Gallagher

·         Bryant Gallagher

Grandpa Robert Gallagher

Deon and Julie Greer

Herb and Kathy Greer and   some of their kids’ families

Dodd and Kathy Greer and several of their kids’ families

At the viewings some very special people came.  I was so pleased when Dodi Rae and Alisa came, and it felt like the three Nephites coming to visit me.  What a treat to have time to spend with them and share.  I loved seeing them. Dear Sue Hansen and her mom came, which was no surprise, she is such a wonderful friend and has been at my side through so many tender experiences!!  Also Wayne and Kathy Garner came and Talitha, the lady from the dry cleaners. 

Friday night Ryan treated Heather and me to a yummy Thai dinner after the viewing and on Saturday night Ryan, Heather, Gregg Kim, Callie, Sam and I went to Charlie Chows. That was very fun.  It turned out that Kimma and Ryan had never been, so that was a treat, and Grandpa Gallagher had given me some money so that was very nice!

What a wonderful and tender week this has been!