Friday, December 22, 2023
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A eulogy I wrote for my Aunt Mary:
I just wanted to say a few words about my aunt because I loved her very very much and feel lucky that she was such a big part of my life.
My aunt was strong. She was as tough as nails, even after all the struggles life threw at her, she never gave up. She put herself through nursing school, finishing and earning her degree, despite her breast cancer diagnosis midway through. She fought a 20 year long battle with cancer, time and time again surpassing the doctor’s predictions. This tireless battle, i think was one she fought so hard in part so she could be there for every single one of us.
And she was always there for everybody, especially her family. Raising her daughter Colleen and her son Kelly Jr. alongside her husband Kelly Sr, was one of the greatest joys of her life. And whether it was a party, a day at the beach or even just a highschool sports game, she was always there for all of us. She loved to stop by her old street, Russell Ct to pay a visit to her siblings, hearing stories from her brother Michael or swapping book recommendations over tea at her sister Melissa’s house. Spending time with her sister Terry and both of their grandchildren was one of her favorite things to do. She also enjoyed many days on the boat with her brother in law Frankie and Diane as well as many other fond memories with all of the Larsons.
No matter the occasion she always had a way of making everyone feel special.
She liked to give people gifts to remind them she was thinking of them. Often times she’d spot something at a gift shop while travelling the country with her husband Kelly Sr. or with her friends Lorie and Darlene, and bring something back that showed she had been thinking of you.
She also loved special occasions, be it a birthday or maybe just a backyard bbq with her friends and family in Salisbury, she always made sure to make a memory out of it. Whether it was lighting the birthday candles on a quickly melting homemade icecream cake for her nephew Zach or making sure to snap photos of people she loved, having them pose just so to capture that moment perfectly.
She was always up for fun and a good time. Sometimes that meant a crossword puzzle at the beach or Words with Friends vs. her daughter in law Michaela. Other times it was a game of scrabble with family at Thanksgiving or seeing musicals and plays with me at the Boston Opera House. Another great joy of hers was watching her grandson Michael, filling her backyard with a kiddie pool and toys for him to enjoy.
She loved the movie Jaws, which is funny because she always reminded me of the captain of a ship. Whether it was giving people assignments or roles or simply being the calm within the storm, she always knew what to do making sure everything sailed on smoothly.
There’s so much more I can say but these are some thoughts I wanted to share with you all. She always made me feel like she was my biggest fan and I enjoyed every moment I was around her. She will be remembered as a treasured aunt, loving mother, devoted wife, caring meme, and thoughtful friend. Simply put she was the best, she was a light, and she will be missed dearly.
I wanted to end with this poem that reminded me of her and our time spent on Salisbury Beach called “Footprints” by Robert Longley
Few things are as fleeting As footprints in the sand;
Sometimes we walk alone
And sometimes hand in hand.
Both paths tell a story
That waves may wash away;
As long as we have the memory
They live with us each day.
Come to the beach and remember;
Make some footprints of your own, And think of days now absent And the memories we've known.
