Memorial Service Reception Pictures

I did not get photos of the memorial service, but I did get some at the reception afterward. This was sort of late in the fun, as I was nursing Lily earlier and catching up with folk. Many people had already gone home, but I was so glad to get these pictures. My awesome sister-in-law, Tara, helped to take them with my camera. She rocks!

A large group of the family also went out to dinner at Famous Dave's that night. Mom's dear friend Lesa took photos of that and I will post them as soon as I have them.

Brett (Elizabeth's other half), Allen (my husband) and Lily (my daughter)

Dad and Bryan

Folk in the Fellowship Hall

Brass Messengers! They're awesome!

Will (my son), Bryan (my uncle) and me

Me, Grandpa, Dad

Me, Marilyn, Gramme

Me, Marilyn

Me, Marilyn, Gramme....what a great picture of Gramme!

Ian (my brother) and me

Patrick (my brother) and me

Ian, Patrick, Me....being serious (lol)

Me, Elizabeth (cousin), Marilyn (aunt)

Me, Elizabeth, Marilyn

Grandpa, Dad

Me, Elizabeth, Eric (uncle), Marilyn

Me, Rev. Gloria Roach Thomas of Camphor UMC

Me, Rev. Gloria Roach Thomas

Me, Lily, Allen

Gramme, Lily, Allen

Me, Gramme, Lily, Allen

Lily and Allen. Lily was ready to eat. LOL!

Me, Sharon (cousin)

Me, Bryan

Allen, Lily, Me, Will, Bryan

Tara, Me

Lily playing on the floor in the fellowship hall.

Lily and Marilyn

Lily and Marilyn

Patrick and Lily. This photo was at Famous Dave's later that night.

A Few Kid Pics

Lily on her first plane ride: 2-24-2011. She slept the whole way after nursing!

Lily all dressed up for Mom's memorial service: 2-26-2011

Will all dressed up for Mom's memorial service. His first suit!

Will on the plane ride home. He was playing with a plane toy from aunt Marilyn and uncle Bryan. Fun!

Brass Messengers at Mom's Memorial Service

From the time I was very little, Mom told me that she wanted a dixieland jazz band at her funeral. After she died, the first thing I did when planning her service was to search high and low for the perfect group. Cousin Elizabeth and her other half, Brett, recommended the Brass Messengers. After seeing their videos on YouTube, I knew they were perfect. They played three pieces during the service and then played while we ate after the service. I got this short clip of them working their magic, right before they packed up. Their music was such a huge blessing during Mom's memorial service and I hope they know how much it meant to us, our family members and friends. Mom would have been absolutely thrilled!!!

 

Updating Soon

I wanted to let everyone know that I will be posting updates about Mom's memorial service weekend over the next few days. We had an *amazing* time and good safe travels, which we are grateful for. Mom would have loved it! I am a little slow updating because Delta lost Lily's suitcase with all her belongings, including some outfits from Mom and some of Will's books that had her handwriting in them. We've been dealing with replacing all of Lily's stuff and finding new books for Will and I've also had some exhaustion induced vertigo the past few days, which has thankfully seemed to pass now. Anyway, enough on that stuff. Look for updates and pictures this weekend. Can't wait to share!! :-)

Memorial Service Reminder

Just a reminder that Mom's memorial service is tomorrow, February 26th at 2:00. The service will be held at Camphor UMC, 585 Fuller Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103. Looking forward to seeing everyone!!  :-)

Overwhelmed

Things are really picking up here with Mom's memorial service coming up in a week and I am feeling very overwhelmed with way too much to get done. If you want to know more, you can read about it on my other blog at this link. Otherwise, please give me until Sunday before calling for more stuff. I need tomorrow with my family. Also, please understand that if I'm not getting back to you, it is not personal at all. It's just that the demands are greater than my abilities at the moment. Thanks and love you all much!

Mom's Urn Box

Our cousin Sonia in Key West painted the most beautiful urn box for my Mom. It arrived today via FedEx while I was having brunch with friends. Here are some photos for your enjoyment:

Audio frm Eric -- So Neat!!

When Eric was visiting with Mom, Gramme and Grandpa at Duke Hospital, they recorded this on a book that Eric got for Will for Christmas. It's really neat to hear everyone's voices, especially Mom's. Will is going to love the book!

Link to Star Tribune Obituary

I've got the link to the Star Tribune obituary. It is the same as the one that ran in the Fargo Forum, except it includes memorial service information, too. If you're in the Twin Cities area today, pick up a paper, otherwise you can view it online here: Karen Johnson's Obituary

Star Tribune Obituary

Mom's obituary will be running in the Star Tribune tomorrow, February 13th and will include info on the date/time of the memorial service. If you're in the Twin Cities, pick up a paper. You can also view the obituary online and I'll post a link as soon as I have it.

Mom's Memorial Service

We have a date! Mom's memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 26th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, 585 Fuller Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103-2246 - (651) 224-0341. We hope that you can join us in person or in spirit to celebrate the life of my Mom, Karen Johnson. She was such a special lady and this will truly be a home-going celebration to remember.


If you would like to be involved in Mom's memorial service somehow and are not already included, please call me at 704-706-7037 or send an email to OnEaglesWings927@hotmail.com.

More information to follow on the date and time for Mom's Concord, NC memorial marker placement. We are still working out the details for that.

Obituary in Fargo Forum TODAY

I wanted to post this last night, but Blogger seemed to be having some technical issues and I couldn't make a post.

Mom's obituary is running in the Fargo Forum TODAY. Marilyn wrote a beautiful obituary that truly fits my Mom's life. So, if you're up that way today, pick up a paper or two. If you're viewing online only, here it is: http://www.inforum.com/event/obituary/id/303982/

I'll also be running the obituary in the Star Tribute and Charlotte Observer at a later date. Right now I'm trying to nail down a memorial service date, so I'll run those after that's been set, likely later this week. I know everyone wants to have a date so they can plan, etc. I promise, I'm working on it! A little overwhelmed over here right now, but I really am making progress. ;-)

Mom on Her Birthday

I was going through my computer the other day, looking for stuff about Mom and I came across this video from her birthday this past year, August 21, 2010. I made her a cheesecake at her request (she loved it!) and our family enjoyed a nice relaxed day together, followed by dinner at the Flying Biscuit Cafe. I thought that many of you might enjoy seeing this video. I had totally forgotten that I'd taken it so I was very pleasantly surprised to find it!