Florence A. Leaver 1927-2013
I'm assuming most people reading my blog know that last Saturday my grandmother Florence Leaver passed away. The outpouring of support over the past several days--through prayers said, Massed offered, food platters brought to the house, cards sent, hugs given, and memories shared mean so much to me and my family.
Since coming in from Rome on Monday night, my Aunt Janet and I have been working on the eulogy that my father was to read today at Grams' funeral Mass. After we finished writing it though, it was decided that I should read the reflection instead.
I strongly believe that even if I expanded the reflection below for the blog post that it wouldn't paint the full picture of who my grandmother was, so I hope that our reflection helps you to see a small glimpse of the woman I was blessed to have for 28 years as my grandmother.
My family and I also thank you for the prayers that have been promised over the coming weeks and months as we begin to adjust to life without Gram.
Since coming in from Rome on Monday night, my Aunt Janet and I have been working on the eulogy that my father was to read today at Grams' funeral Mass. After we finished writing it though, it was decided that I should read the reflection instead.
I strongly believe that even if I expanded the reflection below for the blog post that it wouldn't paint the full picture of who my grandmother was, so I hope that our reflection helps you to see a small glimpse of the woman I was blessed to have for 28 years as my grandmother.
My family and I also thank you for the prayers that have been promised over the coming weeks and months as we begin to adjust to life without Gram.
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| Florence A. Leaver 22 July 1927- 21 December 2013
Who was Florence Leaver? For those of us who knew her, no 5
minutes in the world can accurately sum up who she was to us, or the life that she
lived, but I’ll do my best to paint a small picture of her for those of you who
didn’t know her.
Florence’s childhood was largely shaped by her close
relationship with her parents Ella and George and her three sisters Helen, Euni
and Gert. It was in this household that she learned how to love and respect
unconditionally and that judging others is not her place. It was here her faith
was tested when her father died unexpectedly two weeks before her wedding day.
She persisted and spent 57 years with the love of her life, Gerry.
Florence and Gerry met while working at the Strand Theatre
in Dorchester, and married in 1950. Florence worked as a Psychiatric Social
Worker for the Metropolitan State Hospital until April 1951, when she and Gerry
welcomed their first child, Janet, and their family began to grow. They went on
to have a total of 6 children, 4 boys; Jerry Jr., George, John and Paul, and a
second daughter, Virginia who was mentally retarded. Having seen the conditions
the institutionalized lived in at the time, and being advised to put Ginny in
an institution, Florence decided to keep Ginny at home and raise her with the
rest of the family.
Florence taught her children by example. She lived the life
she preached. Her children knew their mother was always an ear to listen, a
shoulder to lean on, and a friend to depend on. She never passed judgment on
your situation, but rather did what she could to support you. After her
husband’s retirement, they worked for the Department of Mental Health
inspecting group homes for the mentally retarded, ensuring they were living in
proper conditions. They were daily communicants who also served as Eucharistic
Ministers for patients at the Goddard Hospital.
Gram took great pride in her 8 grandchildren Colleen, Joe,
Kevin, Rob, Chris, Mark, Corey and Julianne. At her 70th birthday
party, she was thrilled to lead the revival concert of McNamara’s band, even
if only for that day. The smile it brought to her face to parade around the
Knights of Columbus Hall in Canton with baton in hand lasted for days. Great sources of delight for Gram were the
summertime pool parties. Whether it was a summer birthday, the 4th
of July cookout, or just the family gathering for a swim on a hot day, the pool
at the Leaver Estate was the place to be.
Everyone experiences loss and heartache, and Florence was no
exception. She and Gerry leaned on each other for support and comfort when they
had to bury their daughter Virginia at the age of 29, and then six years later
when they had to bury their son Jerry at the age of 39. However, the hardest
loss for Florence came in 2008 when she lost Gerry, her best friend, the love
of her life, and her soul mate. The person she had physically leaned on was no
longer there, and so, as always in her life, she took solace in her faith.
And now we who are left behind have lost our listening ear,
our supportive shoulder and our dependable friend. But, like Florence we can take comfort in
the promise of the faith she loved so dearly.
Clarence, George’s Guardian Angel in “It’s a wonderful life”
says something that describes how we feel today: “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches
so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”
Though Florence’s death leaves an awful hole in our hearts,
and our lives---she lives on. Florence will live on in her children and
grandchildren and great grandchildren who learned from her how to love and
respect others unconditionally, how to give second, and third and fourth
chances without passing judgment, and how to entrust themselves to the
protection of the Blessed Mother, whom she loved dearly.
No gram, you’re not gone—you will live on in us. We will always
love you and will always keep you in our hearts and prayers. And we trust we
will meet you again one day. Rest easy, gram.
----
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on her. May Florence and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Love you, gram. Missing your face, voice, hugs, stories and wisdom already---but I trust I'll see you again "One Sweet Day".
--kpl
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