Sandi posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
A EULOGY FOR ANGELA
How do we attempt to define the outlines of Angela’s life? The collective memories of her from all gathered here would literally fill a textbook. In the short time we have here this morning, we can barely scratch the surface.
She wasn’t just a vibrant, loving wife to John, a devoted daughter to Josephine, a loyal sister to Anthony but she was also a creative, smart and funny person. She was fiercely protective and faithful to all those she touched. She had flaming hair to match her flaming personality. This was our Angela.
If ever a name reflected the essence of a person, then Angela was so aptly named; for angels are creatures of good, spirits of love, comforters, protectors. She protected her family above all else. She was kind and embraced everyone, delighted and touched us with thoughtful gifts, personal notes, and phone calls. For her it came easy.
Everything Angela did was grandiose. She couldn’t just buy one pair of shoes, it had to be the same shoe in every color. There was always an abundance of family, an abundance of friends and an abundance of food. A small gathering would become the party of the year with family and friends and more friends and friends of friends and so on. Angela took breaking bread to a whole new level! And all were welcome and how we loved those parties.
The size of Angela’s heart is without measure and was only matched by the size of her infectious laugh. When Angela was in your presence, you knew you were going to hear a juicy, elaborate story that would have you howling with laughter. No one told a story quite like Angela. Her warmth and sincerity naturally drew people to her like a moth to a flame and she made friends wherever she went. Simply put, to know Angela is to love her.
Angela lived her life based on very strong principles and she treasured tradition. She was uncannily insightful, meticulously thinking out every word before she spoke. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you could not fool Angela.
Throughout her life Angela faced adversity head on with resolute determination and she had more than her share. Yet to the very end she drew strength from God above, her family and the memory and the words of her father and grandmother.
It just seems so unfair to lose one who was able to bring so much joy to those around her. A light has gone out without so much as a flicker and we are left with the precious memory of how brightly it burned and the warmth it gave us.
She leaves behind the wonderful legacy of a close-knit, caring family and we owe it to her to carry on supporting and looking after one another, showing the same love that she did, so that our memories of her grow brighter and in turn strengthen us.
Angela though we will forever miss you here on earth, we can find solace in the fact that you are now with God and in the arms of your beloved father and grandmother and all those you love and cherish.
