State Funeral

For Michael's benefit just wanted to post something about Aunt Melmarie's funeral. The priest who said the Mass said that if this funeral were in Nigeria, it would be a state funeral. There are 4 million Catholics in the 2 diocese of Nigeria and over 1 million of them were influenced by schools and works of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Aunt Melmarie was the first SSND to go to Nigeria!

The other thing remarkable thing he said was that in Nigeria, people name their children after people who have influenced their lives. He said Aunt melmarie's name "would not be obliterated in all of history." Pretty awesome.

Take care all.

Love,
Lel

Arrangements

Uncle Jim called this evening with final arrangements:
The casket will be taken to the chapel at 1pm on Friday for a "Welcome Home" service.
The wake service is at 7pm, Friday night, the funeral is at 10am Saturday.
Burial is at Notch Cliff- the same place as Aunt Doris Ann (not the exact same place), followed by a reception back at the Mother House.
Uncle Jim didn't think there were viewing times per se, just the prayer service and the wake. I will check the paper to make sure this is accurate- not that I don't trust his memory.
More later.
LTAQ

Aunt Melmarie Died Last Night

Sorry for the sad post, but I wanted to be sure Michael got word. Uncle Jim called Quinn this morning to let her know.

Jim and Bob took Mom out to lunch on Monday and then they all went for a 3 hour visit with Melmarie. It was her birthday. She had a bad day that day, but Uncle Jim said she was much more peaceful yesterday. The plan was to take her back home to the Mother House today, but she passed away during the night.

No funeral plans known now but it could be as early as Friday.

I'm going to miss her! She had the cutest face and the best smiling eyes. And every time I try on a navy blue outfit and look in a dressing room mirror I would always say, "dang, I look like Aunt Melmarie" and then put it back on the rack. Not really a disparaging remark on Aunt Melmarie. I just don't want to dress like a nun.

Love you all,

Lel

K...so that didn't go over so well....

Megan, Paul, Danny and I visited Mom today. It's gorgeous weather here in Baltimore so we decided to convene on the screened porch. Everything was going swimmingly until the topic of Tommy Mooney came up. Mom asked if there was movement on the houuse and Danny told her it was sold. To try and lighten the blow a little, he mentioned that it was a young couple with a child. The father was a carpenter. He didn't go so far as to say his name was Joseph....but you get the drift. Mom was morose about it and sat quietly tearful. Eventually she got up and left us. Turns out she locked herself in her room and isn't answering the door. So Megan and I left Danny and Paul (her favorites), but she not talking to them either. Danny told the desk and the 3rd floor med staff that she was upset and gave them the heads up. Should be a nice visit next week. ;-)

Love to all - Levelle

BTW Quinn said that she visited Aunt Melmarie today and she didn't seem as perky today, but not as bad as she'd been. Tomorrow is her birthday.

Update

Leland and I visited with Aunt Melmarie today. She seemed to be having a pretty good day. They were just giving her pain medicine as we arrived so that they could turn her and clean her up. She dozed a lot, but would wake up pretty easily and watch T.V. or participate a little in conversation. We had to wake her up for lunch, but she sat up and fed herself! All in all, a much better day than yesterday.
I guess everyone got their text that an offer of $300,000 for yarmouth was accepted. I'm sure Danny will have more on that.
Peace,
Q

Aunt Melmarie

I just stopped in to see Aunt Melmarie at St. Joseph's (not my favorite place). Joanie was there and has apparently been there everyday this week so she was filling me in. Luckily I didn't have to deal with Nurse R.

Aunt Melmarie is not doing well - today she has taken a precipitous turn for the worse. She's on a morphine patch, so she's not awake, but she still appears to be in pain at times. I had to leave for a few hours while the IV team tried to put in a pic line for anibiotics. The nuns are making all medical POA-type decisions.

Joanie said that even yesterday, she was awake and having conversations at times. Her favorite one this week was trying to convince her that Ellen Degeneres was a woman, which blew up when Ellen brought out her "wife" Portia deRossi.

I know Quinn took Mom over earlier this week, after some coaxing. I don't think there was much interaction but Aunt Melmarie was sleeping peacefully while they were there which gave Mom some peace of mind.

All I can say is thank God for Quinn and Joanie! I'll go back over in an hour or so and post more if there's anything else to post.

Love to all,
Lel

FYI

Just wanted to let everyone know Aunt Melmarie is in the hospital and pretty sick. I saw her today and she was pretty out of it. She woke up briefly and smiled and said a few barely comprehensible words. I am going to take Mom to see her in the a.m. rather than try to explain her condition to her.
I'll keep you updated.
LTA, Q