Death in the First Week of Summer

Kathy's Great Aunt, Auntie Lois passed away this week. She and the children took off to San Diego yesterday for the funeral. I, unfortunately, have been left behind to finish my summer class and to continue digging. In any event, I thought I would post a short piece I wrote about Lois to be included in the program for her funeral:

Lois Clegg Crocker was born June 21, 1927, in Strawberry, Utah, to Earvin and Ethel Clegg. At a young age, Lois moved to southern California to support herself. It was there that Lois married William Fredrick Crocker on February 21, 1953, in a double wedding with Jim and Fern Crocker. For 38 years, Lois worked for the Pacific Telephone Company. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. Among her many joys was traveling the world over, including Europe, Central America, Russia, China, and Egypt, as well as extensive travel in North America, visiting all 50 states and always seeing family along the way. Her greatest joy was spending time with others. She especially loved camping on the California coast with her extended family. She is adored by hundreds as a special Auntie, and was active all her life in caring for children, quilting, and making gifts for others. She will long be remembered for her love of company, and was surrounded by loved ones when she passed through the veil on June 23, 2009, in La Mesa, California.

I can elaborate: the double wedding occurred because Lois married Bill, and her sister Fern married Bill's brother, Jim. The two sisters and two brothers lived next door to each other in La Mesa, CA, about three blocks from where Kathy grew up. Lois was very close to all of us and will surely be missed.

In addition to Lois's passing, I had the opportunity of speaking at a funeral this week, as a member of my ward passed on. I think the sermon was well received and my friend Matt Faerber, one of our local musical geniuses, sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." My cousins Tina and Tami lost their grandfather this week, may he rest in peace, and Tina's dog also died this week. I note today is the 165th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph. The separation because of death is sad, but I take joy in the possibilities of life, and that eternal. Even still, it is well to remember.