For some reason, this memorial for Mom was very difficult to get started. There are so many good things I could say, so many good times to recall, but none come to mind. All I can think is how I miss her. But I will try my best to provide something.

I mean, what can one say about any stepparent, except that they must have so much love that they can step up and care for children who are not their own. This is an incredibly selfless act for anyone, but particularly for a stepmother, who is the nurturer and basic caregiver. In our case, Jean, as we called her for some strange reason, as she was never anything but our mother, willingly and without hesitation or reservation took on two young children, on top of her own three. An instant family of five would have been a tremendous shock to anyone, but she met the challenge head on and with all of the love a mother gives to all of her children.

She cared for us through good times and bad, when we were easy and when we were very difficult. She loved us unconditionally. She was always there for us. She made us into the people we are today, and as far as I can see, all of her children, all six of us turned out pretty great. No bragging, just a fact and the result of her love and care, of her discipline, of her life lessons, and of her example. She was a very special person to all who knew her. I have always been very thankful that she was willing to care for me and raise me as her own. I have loved her since the beginning, and will love and cherish my time with her, forever.

Not many anecdotes about Mom come to mind, although I am sure many will in the days following this writing. But I do remember one, seemingly silly thing, that she taught me at a very early age, and which I have never forgotten, and it has served me well through my entire life. Once, when we were having a bit of Mother-Son time, I had the hiccups. I asked how to get rid of them. To her credit, she did not quote the old cliches of, Drink water while holding your breath, or have someone frighten you. No, she said that a sure-fire way to stop the hiccups was to just not hiccup. Sounds strange, and maybe a bit flippant, and I don’t know if it is something that she had mastered, but I trusted her advice so much that I took it to heart. To this day, I never hiccup more than a couple of times, before I simply stop hiccupping. A seemingly small thing, but it has been a blessing my whole life.

I am sure that seems to be an odd memory to share, but it’s the little things that have the greatest impact on our lives, sometimes. She certainly had many such things that shaped my life, and some very major ones as well. All I know is this, I am who I am because of Mom. I would not wish to be anyone else, or have any other Mother, than she. I love her, and I miss her. If there is no other good that comes out of her passing, other than she gets to go home to the Lord, I have reconnected with some of my siblings, and I am so very happy about that.

Goodbye Mom. I love you and miss you. And I will see you in Heaven, when it is my time.

One last note. Through our wonderful mother, I have had the very great honor of being a member of a family of siblings who are the best brothers and sisters for whom one could ever hope or dream. I love you all so much. May God continue to bless each and every one of us, as he always has.

This is what I wrote to be shared at the memorial an Barbara's church on March 25, 2023:

A few years ago I learned that mom’s favorite movie was “The Rock,” which stars Sean Connery. In the movie 'The Rock', Sean Connery's character John Mason tells his daughter, “Your mother, well…she was very special.”

Though I know she would never say it about herself, that line applies perfectly to my mother - she was truly special. She touched so many lives, not just with a smile and a warming welcome - she made a difference and the world is a little less bright without her.

Honestly, I’m both flooded with memories and feelings and at the same time numb and having problems recalling specific moments to share. I think that is because mom was ever present. She was always available - a steady rock. I know that when I was growing up there were times when she worked, she had friends, and she had errands and appointments like any other adult. But I can't recall a single moment when she wasn't there for me. She was a constant presence in my life, always available to offer support and guidance, whether I was a child or an adult.

I missed a lot of school as a child. One of my favorite things we would do on those sick days was play games. The games we played weren’t the usual “Life,” “Monopoly” or other things like that - though we played those as well - the games we played were a combination of several of those, all at once. I’d spend time making up rules for how the games work together and then we would sit and play - her patience was remarkable. Of course, I didn’t really know that until I became a parent.

Mom didn’t specifically teach me about parenting but I am a better parent because of her example. She modeled the power of patience in parenting. She showed me how to balance a servants heart and still discipline and hold high expectations.

When each of my sons were born, she was there for us. She didn't intrude on our special moments, but instead arrived like a hero just when we needed her most - usually after a few sleepless nights. She would come in and insist on taking the night shifts claiming that she could sleep well during the daytime and the solitude of the night would give her time for reading or her crafts. I’m not sure how much of that was true, but as a new parent it was wonderful to have. I remember coming home with my first born - it seemed like he never slept - which meant that we didn’t either. It seemed like it lasted forever and I wasn’t sure I could make it, but Mom showed up and her help made all the difference. Her support and encouragement gave me the strength and confidence I needed to be a good parent.

Through my conversations with my mom, I know that many of you also experienced her timely and selfless help when you needed it most. You know how she could show up just in time, during your time of need. She would help out as much as you needed and would never be in the way…and then, she would gently let you know she was leaving when she knew you had things under control. You wouldn’t want her to go, but you knew you’d be okay…and when you needed her again, she would be back.

That isn’t the case anymore. In time, we will all be okay, but she will never be back and our world is a little less safe because our rock is gone. She touched so may lives. Although I will always deeply miss her, I find comfort in knowing that her legacy of kindness, compassion, and selflessness will continue to inspire me and others for years to come.

Mom, I love you more than words can express, and I am grateful for every moment we shared together. I hope to honor you by living my life with kindness, compassion and selflessness, just like you did.

Granddaughter Chelsea (Chelsee) memoir of Grandmother

I have so many fond memories of my grandma and her sweet smile, many of which involve cooking and crafting with her. She was the most creative person I ever knew and she passed that creativity on to me.

Grandma made an impact on the world around her spreading warmth and kindness everywhere she went. There was no limit to her generosity. She was quite literally the best grandmother a girl could want.

From her oldest son's view piont,..

We have a young lady barely out of her teens, gets married and births three children, one being my brother who passed shortly  after childbirth,her first marrige didn't make it and also her second marriage after a birth of a daughter. Mom then moves back to my Grandmother's basement who converted it to a small apartment ,it was Grandma , Mom and my two sisters,  sharing great times, we had little material wealth but the closeness  we  shared was heavenly treasured.  Mom remarried, her third time , adding two more children from her fiancé first marriage ,now a three children  unit  becomes a five children  unit, later another son being born from that marriage. We moved a few times from state to state both doing what they could to provide us a home. All us children grew up to become outstanding citizens. During this time when  I was barely a teen  Mom insisted I ride along to the drugstore with her , I  not knowing why but she told me in on our ride she was worried about me having so many dad/father figures in my life and no matter she'd be there  for me no matter what .Mom  gave of herself daily to us kids,  everyone of us.  Never had I ever  heard her say I can't do this ,with all the things put on her she never complained. Love you always Mom.

[Received from Elizabeth Ford]

I first met Jeannine when she became my older brother Pat’s Temporary Aide while I worked.

After state services started for Pat, I asked Jeannine to stay on for weekends and later to look after him when I just wanted to get away. She became a part of our family. We just loved her.

She loved coming to our house. Sometimes, I think, just so she could spend time with our herd of goats, she loved them. She took Pat out so he could feed and water them while she loved on them. The goats saw her and came running for head scratches and treats. During fair time Jeannine came year after year to the State Fair bringing Pat with her while I and my Granddaughter, Jordyn, showed the goats in competition.

Jeannine and Pat would sit and talk , watch TV, help him with straightening up his room, and she knew exactly how talk to him to remind him to do things because of his dementia.

She was instrumental in encouraging me to get back into crafting that I gave up many years ago to raise my Son. I find it relaxing in Retirement.

I Don’t know what else to say except that she was a beautiful person inside and out and we will miss her terribly.

Elizabeth Ford - employer/friend