Requiescant in pace

The souls of two people people in our lives have passed on in recent weeks.

The first was my Uncle Jim, a quiet Irishman and father of six.

Here is an excerpt from his obituary that gives a glimpse into the kind of man my Aunt Virginia married 59 years ago:

Jim graduated from Bishop John Carroll High School and served in the U.S. Navy in WWII until August 20, 1946. He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University in 1949. He was President and co-owner of Murphy and Perkins Ready Mix Concrete Company in OKC until 1992. Jim and Virginia were founding members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and were extremely active in the Parrish. He was very proud of his service as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Jim was also a charter member of the Christian Family Movement and participated actively in the civil rights movement, sponsoring refugee families and delivering mobile meals.

He was the most loving husband, caring father and best grandpa and papa anyone could ever have.

He was the best of men.

The second was our violin teacher who was hospitalized with leukemia for most of the summer. We had only completed one year of study with her, but it was the best year since beginning three years ago. The children made enormous progress under her tutelage and I especially enjoyed the stern but loving grandmotherly way she had with the children.She knew exactly when to challenge, when to compliment and when to smile. Having been a mother of 7, she was infinitely patient with having our toddler in the lesson room!

Here are some excerpt from her Caring Bridge website:

Nedra Layne is a deeply-loved wife, mother of seven children, grandmother of 17 with two more on the way and her first great-grandchild soon to come.

A lover of music, Nedra has taught Suzuki violin and piano for decades, instilling an appreciation for music in hundreds over the years.

She is known as a great teacher both of music and of other subjects, whether that be English, which she once taught in school, Sunday School, or coaching her children and grandchildren through various subjects in school over more than 30 years.

She is known for her quick wit, sense of humor, and spunk.  There is always laughter when Nedra is in the room. She is also known for her service and generosity to others.

She has led the choir in her church for more than 20 years. In fact, she led the choir in church the day before she was admitted to the hospital.

I found this passage touching:

Mom's music lesson money rarely makes its home with Mom. Instead, she chooses to spend it on her children and grandchildren for their music lessons, medical needs and more.

Here's the part that really made me tear up:

Over the last six weeks he sang her to sleep, and Silent Night was part of the nightly repertoire. Dad leaned over the bed and embraced her and told her that he knew he was lucky to marry her, but that he could not believe his good fortune in having her as his bride . . . Dad told her, "You can go sweetheart. I’ll let you go now."

Her husband is university music professor and is about as quiet as my Uncle Jim was, but large and bearded and always makes me think of Johannes Brahms when I see him.

Mrs. Layne, we will miss you!