I am deep in an emotional state as this day has escaped me - writing the Eulogy to be read before my mother's funeral mass on Saturday!
Nancy
Marie Vercoe Cross
Wife
for 70 years... married by her Baptist Grandfather August 30,1929.
The journey began..."The hand of the Lord was with him"
Luke 1 was how father looks at meeting beautiful Nancy Vercoe, The
Spirit of Christmas. Closing doors and opening Kalamazoo. "She
kissed me on the dance floor on our first date!"- "I have
met the man that I am going to marry." was Nancy's sharing with
her roommate
Proverbs
31:26-28 is true for dad of our mother "She opens her mouth
with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She
looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread
of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praises her... a woman who fears the Lord is to be
praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise
her in the gates."
Mother
of 12 children... open to LIFE, and took seriously raising them with
love and faith. Mother's own words - "love of husband and
children, love of Jesus in the Eucharist centered my life."
"Self-giving with others" is how Robert and Nancy lived
their married life.
Developed
a deep love for Michigan lakes -as a girl, her family went there for
the summers - she was fell deeply in love with God's beauty in nature
which fed her inner soul and creativity. How she instilled this love
for The Lake in her children! All those summers spending weeks there
in Elk Rapids, and then our shared Retirement Home/Vacation home in
Manistique
This
Tremendous Lover
- Boylan made her groan with finding the True Church! Finds herself
meeting priests and nuns - the Cenacle - prayer group... she is drawn
to Mary and the only place is The Church if you love her! "There
is no hope for me to be Catholic. My husband is a Protestant
Minister." Ignation retreat - Isaiah 55:1-2 - All 13 become
Catholic!
Creator
of beautiful homes! How often would she have a vision in her mind
that took so much work on her part and dad's? The result after so
much work - beautiful homes that are deeply in our hearts with so
many fond memories... Fenton Rd, Avon St, Fremont Ave, The Farm,
Taylors Falls, Colman, SD, and Manistique/Crosswinds, Hamilton St in
St Croix Falls, and finally the Lodge of New Hope. Even those last 6
months we could still have the sense of Faith and family all around
us in their two rooms!
Grower
of beautiful gardens. She poured over garden catalouges and planned
her gardens to bloom all summer long. She did the work of planting
and weeding and it was obvious to all those that walked through or by
them... this woman knows how to create beauty.
Lover
of Big Dogs! Tippy, Sugar Bear, Cody, Jake, Mary's Francis. Even
these last years she would ask dad if they could have a beloved
dog..."Robert, look at this dog that needs a home. We could put
in a dog door." It is not too hard to envision her with Mary
and Lincoln with all their wonderful dogs leaping around them in
endless JOY as they walk through beautiful gardens. Mom's vision of
heaven!
Lover
of Jesus in His Word! On their tombstone - "Blessed is he who
keeps the words of this book. The time is near! Come Lord Jesus! "
Revelations 22 Under these words are listed the 12 - her children
for whom she prayed constantly and would sit and share with them from
her heart The Truth of Jesus and The Church. Conversations in person
and on the phone were filled with depth and wisdom and love! Even
dementia could not end those talks, although they were less and less.
Creator
in writing and art. Mom did not hold down a job or bring home a
paycheck after she gave birth to first child, Barb. She did sell
some articles with many disappointments with rejections of articles
and books she poured her heart and soul into! Her booklet A
woman and the Counselor,
was circulated by her with her message of submission of a wife to her
husband. She was told by the woman next store in Taylors Falls,
after they moved there, that this had saved her marriage! These
creations of Nancy, along with dad's alcohol chalk talks,... the
preacher and the teacher... can now be found on their website,
catholicdiagramteacher.com - developed in the last 5 years for ALL!
Mom's voice dictating her study of the entire Bible, allows her to go
on teaching the wisdom of The Word of God!
Dad
watched those "sweet lips" breath their last gentle
peaceful breath on March 16th, the same lips that sealed his love
with a kiss 71 years ago. A complete circle of LOVE.
Yesterday
was mom's 91st birthday, and the seeds planted in rich soil have
born 100 fold indeed! We love you mom, and you are always in our
hearts, minds, and souls. There is more LIGHT and beauty in this
world thanks to your hard work, vision, and perseverance. As dad
reminds us; "Her prayers for us are more prefect now as she sees
with resurrection eyes!" His Disciple, Nancy Marie Vercoe
Cross!
This day is shot! Dad and I prayed early in the prairie winds today. The farmers are in a rush to get the hay picked up and put away as it is supposed to rain tonight. We hope so, as rain is always needed! Keep the farmers safe, O Lord!
Jesus, how we are soaring on Eagles' wings as we come ever closer to coming together as a family to surround our wife and mother with all our prayers and the Holy Sacrament of your Word, Body and Blood! Give us good health and strength to stagger down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross. Jesus, we trust in you. Your Disciple, Nancy Marie Vercoe Cross, is the saint that is just her. Amen and Hallelujah
Mom has these for the music at her sendoff!
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