I was at a memorial service yesterday for a former teaching colleague of mine Roxanne Klassen. Roxanne died of cancer. She was a few years younger than I am. Roxanne was a wonderful musician who played the organ in the church in Steinbach we attended for several decades. She was the organist for my mother's funeral, incorporating all of Mom's favourite pieces into the prelude music.
Mitchell School Staff - Roxanne is at the far left in the first row and I am fourth from the left
Roxanne and I taught at Mitchell School together for many years and I remember her as a caring colleague and dedicated professional with an eye for detail and unmatched organizational skills.
The funeral for my former neighbour Reg Penner was also this month. Reg died of cancer. He was two years younger than I am. Reg was a very successful businessman who contributed to the local community and his church in all kinds of ways.
Our children often played together since our houses backed one another on Westwood Street in Steinbach and there was no fence between our yards. Reg and his wife Ingrid set up the swing set for the kids in their yard and my husband Dave built the tree house and sandbox for them in ours.
Dinner with Reg and his family on Prince Edward Island
We moved to Eagle Place in Steinbach later and Reg and Ingrid were our neighbours again. We enjoyed drinks in summer on our respective decks, occasional golf rounds together and once spent a few days together on Prince Edward Island.
Last month I attended the funeral of my former pastor John Lemond online. John died of cancer. He was just a little older than I am. John was a teacher at a Lutheran seminary but also served as the pastor at Tao Fong Shan the church we attended during our six years in Hong Kong. John and his wife Barb became good friends of ours.
Visiting John and Barb in Florida
We enjoyed going to movies together, going out for dinner and visiting one another's homes. John was a great listener. His sermons were always short and never failed to make you think. We were fortunate enough to pay a visit to John and Barb in Florida a few years ago where they had retired.
In the last two months, I've attended funerals for three people around my age who lost their lives to cancer. Reg and John and Roxanne were all people of faith who lived rich and meaningful lives and blessed their families and their communities with love and care.
But in my mind, each of them was too young to die and their passing makes me stop and think about how fleeting our lives are and how important it is to make the most of every day we are granted on this earth.
Other posts..........
In Praise of Church Organists
Historic Churches Continents Apart
He Made Things Tick
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