Tweet
Saturday evening, The Queensway Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They came from near and far to pay their respects to, and to celebrate the life of, a woman some of us had never met, yet whom we felt we knew and embraced as family. This was not a funeral service. There was no casket, no long faces, no sad music; just a coming together of family and friends to give thanks for the life of one who in her life, and even in death, had touched the lives of many. She had obviously made the parts of the world she occupied a much better place simply by being there, and that was reflected in the diversity of those in attendance.
Amidst the hush of the sanctuary, they tried to contain their excitement. Huddled together like a group of football players, was Marcia's online family, the jamaicans.com family, renewing acquaintances and greeting for the first time. The pews they occupied were a buzz of excitement, as even in death, Marcia brought people together. This was a true reflection of our community's motto: out of many, one people online.
The altar of the Church was beautifully decorated, with pictures of Marcia gracing the altar. The strains of "Amazing Grace" could be heard in the background as the Rev. Wayne Russell brought us together for greeting and prayer. Another musical piece, "Jesus Loves Me", was beautifully done by the pianist, during which was the lighting of the Candle of Remembrance by Marcia's sisters: Cherry, Faith, and Audrey. It was a touching moment sharing in the family's grief as the sisters struggled to maintain their composure. It was the way Marcia would have wanted it. There was the magnificent playing of Michael W. Smith's "Breathe", followed by a glowing tribute by Marcia's best friend who recounted the many years of friendship they shared.
Other tributes included musical renditions of "Lean On Me" and "Can't Feel At Home In This World Anymore", the latter which was a personalized tribute: "Oh Lord you know, she had no friend like you / If Heaven is not her home, then Lord what would she do / The angels beckoned her from Heaven's open door / And she did not feel at home in this world anymore". Very beautifully done by her nieces.
The eulogy offered by her brother was the most moving part of the ceremony. Noel, a former coworker of mine and fellow Computer Science major, a guy who was never short of words in the time we worked together did not leave a dry eye in the house as he eulogized his sister. Ignoring his 4-5 pages of notes, he spoke from his heart and recounted many stories that demonstrated the strength, integrity, fortitude, and determination of the person whose life we came to celebrate. What was obvious was that Marcia was all about family, and given the way she was the "mother" of jamaicans.com, we now understand this part of her just a bit more.
The service rounded out with words of comfort by Rev. Russell and the congregational singing of "Oh Happy Day", which was rather appropriate. It was indeed a happy day as we thanked God for the life of such a beautiful person, and the chance to have been a recipient of a part of who she was.
So from all of us, "Thanks for the memories", and from those of us who believe, "See you on the other side."
Amidst the hush of the sanctuary, they tried to contain their excitement. Huddled together like a group of football players, was Marcia's online family, the jamaicans.com family, renewing acquaintances and greeting for the first time. The pews they occupied were a buzz of excitement, as even in death, Marcia brought people together. This was a true reflection of our community's motto: out of many, one people online.
The altar of the Church was beautifully decorated, with pictures of Marcia gracing the altar. The strains of "Amazing Grace" could be heard in the background as the Rev. Wayne Russell brought us together for greeting and prayer. Another musical piece, "Jesus Loves Me", was beautifully done by the pianist, during which was the lighting of the Candle of Remembrance by Marcia's sisters: Cherry, Faith, and Audrey. It was a touching moment sharing in the family's grief as the sisters struggled to maintain their composure. It was the way Marcia would have wanted it. There was the magnificent playing of Michael W. Smith's "Breathe", followed by a glowing tribute by Marcia's best friend who recounted the many years of friendship they shared.
Other tributes included musical renditions of "Lean On Me" and "Can't Feel At Home In This World Anymore", the latter which was a personalized tribute: "Oh Lord you know, she had no friend like you / If Heaven is not her home, then Lord what would she do / The angels beckoned her from Heaven's open door / And she did not feel at home in this world anymore". Very beautifully done by her nieces.
The eulogy offered by her brother was the most moving part of the ceremony. Noel, a former coworker of mine and fellow Computer Science major, a guy who was never short of words in the time we worked together did not leave a dry eye in the house as he eulogized his sister. Ignoring his 4-5 pages of notes, he spoke from his heart and recounted many stories that demonstrated the strength, integrity, fortitude, and determination of the person whose life we came to celebrate. What was obvious was that Marcia was all about family, and given the way she was the "mother" of jamaicans.com, we now understand this part of her just a bit more.
The service rounded out with words of comfort by Rev. Russell and the congregational singing of "Oh Happy Day", which was rather appropriate. It was indeed a happy day as we thanked God for the life of such a beautiful person, and the chance to have been a recipient of a part of who she was.
So from all of us, "Thanks for the memories", and from those of us who believe, "See you on the other side."
Comment