Written and delivered with great composure by: Stephen Hodgson
IN MEMORY OF OUR MOM AND HER SPIRIT
EVANGELINE (BIG “E”) HODGSON
To Those Whom I Love And Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories in your heart
I will not be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear
Then, when you must come this way alone
I will greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home
-Mary Alice Ramish-
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories in your heart
I will not be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear
Then, when you must come this way alone
I will greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home
-Mary Alice Ramish-
GOOD MORNING
On behalf of my sister Mary and her husband Ron, my five brothers and their spouses
Rick-Kathy, Ralph-Theresa, Bill-Teresa Mike-Susie, my wife Jennifer and brother
Chuck , and two additional generations of over 30 family members-----we thank you for
attending this Mass for mom. A Mass of celebration of her life, of her commitment to
and reward from, our Savior Jesus Christ, and a Mass to heal our own hearts together
as family friends, as she would have wanted it.
This will be a most challenging task today, to attempt to control my own emotions and
grief—which I would anticipate failing-- and at the same time, the most honored task
that will ever be laid before me, attempting to express our families and friends good bye
to a light, a spirit, our mom.
Although never one wanting to be the center of attention, I believe the words contained
in the poem read earlier would be what she would have to say.
Why does this poem speak of mother
To the point- I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone
mom would share her thoughts. Not hidden, no icing, just her honest thoughts. If you
acted in a way contraire to that thought, all she would do is support you, love you, assist
you, and heal you if you fell.
Independent- When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years
Raised herself from the age of 12. Over her last 27 years on earth, 25 of them was
spent living independently, on her own. She would not call, or ask for help, your life she
left alone accept at a moment’s notice, she would be there to help.
And lastly..............
Happiness- I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
The joy she had for all of the children was in the center of her heart. Usually the first
question out of her mouth was inquiring as to how one’s children are, are you keeping
them warm and her favorite I haven’t seen them in a while………
We all have heard from so many their condolences and words of comfort, often ending
with “she was so blessed to live such a long life”. Those words are appreciated, but you
know, I believe it all of us that have been blessed by her spirit of unquestioning care and
love.
What made her such a loving and caring person, never to put herself first? Mom chose
to be guided by the spirit. The spirit as addressed by John to the Galatians…chapter
5….verses 22-23:
BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS,
GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL. AGAINST
SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW.
This spirit, this gift, was visible until the very end.
We were all aware of her failing body, and so many times that she fought back to gain
her health and continue a love of live, Wondering where this spirit of life came from, the
answer maybe found in scripture, in Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter 1, v. 21-25.
Read Phillippians 1, v. 21-25......
Perhaps mom was torn as well. Torn between helping us on earth and the reward and
relief she would have by being with Christ. Her love of family kept her here regardless
of the the pain.
But in typical Eva fashion, we witnessed her strength, humor and spirit during her final
days of “helping us on earth”. Allow me to share a few a few observations at the
expense of a few:
Her time was short within Castleton Rehab and Nursing home, but we were amazed at
the number of care givers that would come in to sit and talk with mom, those not
assigned to her room, those that worked with her a few months earlier, those that
wanted to read and talk with her, sing with her, sit and watch television with her and
finally two wonderful aids that would argue over which one was first in asking mom to
promise to be their personal angel. I did explain to them that they are in a line that has
been forming for years. People were attracted to her spirit.
Humor, well those of us in her room will never forget when a Priest came by to administered to her the Sacrament of the Sick the previous weekend.
Weak and with a faint breath, mother
repeated all of the words to the prayers. She whispered to Father if she should know
him. Father explained his relationship to her family, how he had a part of many
Masses she had attended. Father then ask if she now remembered him to which mom
replied as bold and loud as she had spoken that evening “Yes Father I remember you
and you are getting fat”.
The same morning of her passing, not an hour after she had left us, my brother Bill
attended mass and announced to the congregation mother’s departure. Following
mass, a girl approached Bill, a stranger to him, to share a story that involved mom.
“Your mother had a profound influence on my life”. She explained she worked at Sears
for Eva when she was in high school and was flooded with memories when she heard
the name Evangeline after so many years. “Eva not only kept me there when others
wanted me fired, but she was one of the first people to encourage me to go to college. I
did, and it has made all the difference to me”. “I remember her as being calm.”
An account of when one of our family’s dear friend, Mary Margret Conway attempt to
get mom’s receipt for her renouned chicken and noodles…and I quote Mary…. “On one
of my last, most recent visits, I tried to get the recipe out of her again, and when I asked
about specific measurements ,eyes closed and all, mother said, "yeah, that sounds
close".
And a final story, one evening after visiting with mother, I girl that I did not know stopped
me and ask how Eva was doing. I responded to her question and then I ask her
“Should I know you”? She responded “no, but I have met your mom here at the nursing
facility, and she really is special”. As she walked pass me I stopped and turned to ask
her a question as to how she had met mom but I was stopped in my tracks by what I
read on the back of her shirt: “live, love, heal”….she did know mom.
In closing I share with you a tearful joy in her passing, a thought for our family and a
messge for mom.
Tearful Joy
I learned over the last few weeks, by way of my wife and confirmed by conversations
with mom, of a hole in mother’s heart---a hole that had been opened over 65 years ago,
and never closed ...that of losing her baby Patricia Anne. This past Sunday, the great
physician came and healed mom of that pain, as at this moment today she sits in the
magnificent Kingdom of our Lord, with Patti Anne in her arms and all of her grand kids
that had gone before her are gathered at her feet. Mother and child…….
For the family:
As we leave Eva today in God’s grace, and we, her children and grandchildren,drive out
in our new and modern automobiles to our cool and comfortable homes, let us not ever
forget that we do so in no small part because of the love, spirit and perseverance of this
orphan girl from Perry County.
A messge to mom: PLEASE JOIN HANDS
Mom, we ask you to be comforted by the fact that we, all of your family, will be fine as
we have each other. For the witness you gave us:
to live, love and heal......... has been well received.
We love you..............
On behalf of my sister Mary and her husband Ron, my five brothers and their spouses
Rick-Kathy, Ralph-Theresa, Bill-Teresa Mike-Susie, my wife Jennifer and brother
Chuck , and two additional generations of over 30 family members-----we thank you for
attending this Mass for mom. A Mass of celebration of her life, of her commitment to
and reward from, our Savior Jesus Christ, and a Mass to heal our own hearts together
as family friends, as she would have wanted it.
This will be a most challenging task today, to attempt to control my own emotions and
grief—which I would anticipate failing-- and at the same time, the most honored task
that will ever be laid before me, attempting to express our families and friends good bye
to a light, a spirit, our mom.
Although never one wanting to be the center of attention, I believe the words contained
in the poem read earlier would be what she would have to say.
Why does this poem speak of mother
To the point- I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone
mom would share her thoughts. Not hidden, no icing, just her honest thoughts. If you
acted in a way contraire to that thought, all she would do is support you, love you, assist
you, and heal you if you fell.
Independent- When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years
Raised herself from the age of 12. Over her last 27 years on earth, 25 of them was
spent living independently, on her own. She would not call, or ask for help, your life she
left alone accept at a moment’s notice, she would be there to help.
And lastly..............
Happiness- I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
The joy she had for all of the children was in the center of her heart. Usually the first
question out of her mouth was inquiring as to how one’s children are, are you keeping
them warm and her favorite I haven’t seen them in a while………
We all have heard from so many their condolences and words of comfort, often ending
with “she was so blessed to live such a long life”. Those words are appreciated, but you
know, I believe it all of us that have been blessed by her spirit of unquestioning care and
love.
What made her such a loving and caring person, never to put herself first? Mom chose
to be guided by the spirit. The spirit as addressed by John to the Galatians…chapter
5….verses 22-23:
BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS,
GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL. AGAINST
SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW.
This spirit, this gift, was visible until the very end.
We were all aware of her failing body, and so many times that she fought back to gain
her health and continue a love of live, Wondering where this spirit of life came from, the
answer maybe found in scripture, in Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter 1, v. 21-25.
Read Phillippians 1, v. 21-25......
Perhaps mom was torn as well. Torn between helping us on earth and the reward and
relief she would have by being with Christ. Her love of family kept her here regardless
of the the pain.
But in typical Eva fashion, we witnessed her strength, humor and spirit during her final
days of “helping us on earth”. Allow me to share a few a few observations at the
expense of a few:
Her time was short within Castleton Rehab and Nursing home, but we were amazed at
the number of care givers that would come in to sit and talk with mom, those not
assigned to her room, those that worked with her a few months earlier, those that
wanted to read and talk with her, sing with her, sit and watch television with her and
finally two wonderful aids that would argue over which one was first in asking mom to
promise to be their personal angel. I did explain to them that they are in a line that has
been forming for years. People were attracted to her spirit.
Humor, well those of us in her room will never forget when a Priest came by to administered to her the Sacrament of the Sick the previous weekend.
Weak and with a faint breath, mother
repeated all of the words to the prayers. She whispered to Father if she should know
him. Father explained his relationship to her family, how he had a part of many
Masses she had attended. Father then ask if she now remembered him to which mom
replied as bold and loud as she had spoken that evening “Yes Father I remember you
and you are getting fat”.
The same morning of her passing, not an hour after she had left us, my brother Bill
attended mass and announced to the congregation mother’s departure. Following
mass, a girl approached Bill, a stranger to him, to share a story that involved mom.
“Your mother had a profound influence on my life”. She explained she worked at Sears
for Eva when she was in high school and was flooded with memories when she heard
the name Evangeline after so many years. “Eva not only kept me there when others
wanted me fired, but she was one of the first people to encourage me to go to college. I
did, and it has made all the difference to me”. “I remember her as being calm.”
An account of when one of our family’s dear friend, Mary Margret Conway attempt to
get mom’s receipt for her renouned chicken and noodles…and I quote Mary…. “On one
of my last, most recent visits, I tried to get the recipe out of her again, and when I asked
about specific measurements ,eyes closed and all, mother said, "yeah, that sounds
close".
And a final story, one evening after visiting with mother, I girl that I did not know stopped
me and ask how Eva was doing. I responded to her question and then I ask her
“Should I know you”? She responded “no, but I have met your mom here at the nursing
facility, and she really is special”. As she walked pass me I stopped and turned to ask
her a question as to how she had met mom but I was stopped in my tracks by what I
read on the back of her shirt: “live, love, heal”….she did know mom.
In closing I share with you a tearful joy in her passing, a thought for our family and a
messge for mom.
Tearful Joy
I learned over the last few weeks, by way of my wife and confirmed by conversations
with mom, of a hole in mother’s heart---a hole that had been opened over 65 years ago,
and never closed ...that of losing her baby Patricia Anne. This past Sunday, the great
physician came and healed mom of that pain, as at this moment today she sits in the
magnificent Kingdom of our Lord, with Patti Anne in her arms and all of her grand kids
that had gone before her are gathered at her feet. Mother and child…….
For the family:
As we leave Eva today in God’s grace, and we, her children and grandchildren,drive out
in our new and modern automobiles to our cool and comfortable homes, let us not ever
forget that we do so in no small part because of the love, spirit and perseverance of this
orphan girl from Perry County.
A messge to mom: PLEASE JOIN HANDS
Mom, we ask you to be comforted by the fact that we, all of your family, will be fine as
we have each other. For the witness you gave us:
to live, love and heal......... has been well received.
We love you..............