Goodbye Margaret
Margaret’s family chose this beautiful version of Amazing Grace sung by Guy Penrod to open the funeral ceremony for their mum, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunty, nana, great nana, neighbour and dear friend.
Margaret was not your average 92-year-old. Until recently she was still driving, volunteering at the Parkinson’s Society, and enjoying her ‘ladies’ days out’ with her friends Margaret, Dianna, Millie, and Patty to name a few. Margaret was still an active part of her loved one’s lives and a strong presence in her family.
She had just celebrated her 92nd birthday with family earlier this month and was happily chatting with Charlie over the phone the night before, saying goodnight as she did every night at 7pm. Her passing was quiet, in her sleep, in her own bed, in her own home, just as she had wanted. The loss of Margaret is great to many of you, so today you come together to share your stories, your appreciation and provide comfort to each other as you miss her presence, the daily routine and calls.
Margarets’s two granddaughters wrote the eulogy and told some wonderful stories of their nan.
Her grandson read Psalm 23
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff,
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies,
You anoint my head with oil,
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
After the words of remembrance I closed the ceremony:
Margaret’s husband, Jack, always said, ‘Funerals are too much bloody fuss, just chuck me off the headland”. Margaret was clear that she wanted you, her family and friends, to gather and to take part in this ceremony and…she said, if being chucked off the headland is good for Jack… it’s good enough for her!
So, when the time is right, here’s to Margaret’s freedom in the wind.
May you recall Margaret’s stories, the ones that make you smile, and remind yourself of her qualities of strength and love, and let them guide you in your own lives.
We left the chapel to the beautiful rendition of KD Lang singing Hallelujah. (At the very end of this film clip, there is a tender moment of acknowledgment between Leonard Cohen and KD Lang)
