Honouring the Life of Ria Gimbergh
A Service Of Celebration And Thanksgiving For The Life Of Anna Maria ‘Ria’ Gimbergh
Bob walked slowly over to the magnolia tree. He stood a while and looked up at the creamy white and dying brown flowers. With tears in his eyes, he walked slowly back and turned to me, saying that his wife of 67 years would have taken a cutting. His eyes wrinkled up and he laughed.
Joining his daughter, they walked back to the car stopping at another magnolia tree where the flowers where just budding. She leaned in and snapped off a new bud to take home, telling me the story of how her mum, at a family picnic in a park, had instructed everyone to take cuttings of the hibiscus plants to take home for her to grow. This was the story of Ria’s life.
I selected the following poem for the funeral ceremony at the chapel which the family appreciated.
Finding You in Beauty by Walter Rinder
The rays of light filtered through
The sentinels of trees this morning.
I sat in the garden and contemplated.
The serenity and beauty
Of my feelings and surroundings
Completely captivated me.
I thought of you.
I discovered you tucked away
In the shadows of the trees.
Then, rediscovered you
In the smiles of the flowers
As the sun penetrated their petals
In the rhythm of the leaves
Falling in the garden
In the freedom of the birds
As they fly searching as you do.
I’m very happy to have found you,
Now you will never leave me
For I will always find you in the beauty of life.
Reading by an Anonymous Author
The family chose this reading for the short service by the graveside.
If you stop and rest a moment
You will feel the part of me
That is in the flowers, the grass, the leaves
When you hear the birds sing you will hear my call.
The breeze blowing through the trees is my breath
The early morning light is my light
The sky, moon, sun and stars are a part of me
A part of me is in you.
To watch the recorded livestream of the Funeral Service click here and the Graveside Service click here.
“We were grateful to have such an empathetic, personable & professional celebrant for our beloved matriarch’s farewell service. We can’t recommend Wendy Haynes enough for her supportive nature and kind words in such a difficult time in our lives.”
Many thanks for helping in sending Oma off with so much love. Charmaine Harrison-Williams
Thank you Wendy for your generosity in sharing the amazing work that you do. I have a dear friend in palliative care at the moment and both these readings would be so appropriate for her when the time comes, I feel blessed that you sent them to me. May I wish you well on the health challenging journey you are about to undertake and send very best wishes for a full recovery. Fiona