The Eulogy of Luisa Dange - Eulogy for a mother - Eulogy by a son

Luisa Dange
 
          It is one of the greatest honors of my life to be standing here today telling of our mother’s life. Gerry, Bob, Michelle and I thank you for joining us as we say a final farewell.
 
          I know this sounds rather cliché and something people often say at funeral or memorial services, but I’ve got to say it and I say it with all honesty: Our mother was one of the best people I’ve ever known… She was the glue that held our family together for as far back as we can remember – literally half a century.
 
          Mom and dad met in the Philippines when he was there stationed at Clark Air Force Base in 19 ___. She was a stewardess for the Philippine Airlines. He asked for  her hand in marriage and then brought her back to the states and they were married for 31 years. He passed in 2003 – a devastating loss for her and all of us.
 
          They had a wonderful marriage. He went off to work every day. She stayed home raising us and taking care of the house. She was never a woman who sought confrontation so ours was always a peaceful house. To this day I appreciate the atmosphere she fostered while we were growing up and the example she set of how to treat others and how to be respectful and kind. She taught us to always do the kind thing when dealing with others… ‘Consideration’ was the word that was at the core of her philosophy of life.
 
          In Fact Mom was so considerate to others that she left us with a few stories that are both funny and sweet... When she was living with Michelle for the past few years ( Michelle- thank you so much for all you did for Mom to make her life good. We can never repay you for all the sacrifice you made to care for her and be there through all her illnesses. We'll never know all you did, but thank you).. Michelle got one of those Alexa's from Amazon for mom -- the voice activated assistant . She bought it so mom could ask it to turn on and off the lights in her room so she would not have to get out of bed each time to do so. Mom used it every night to do this . But one night Michelle saw mom asleep in her bed with the lights still on . Michelle asked “why are you sleeping with the lights on?” Mom replied that she was afraid of bothering Alexa because she also may be asleep.  
 
          Mom had several Pallilion dogs over the years. Her first was Gizmo. She named him that because his ears reminded her so much of her favorite character in the ‘Gremlins’ movies… She loved that little dog. After Gizmo she had JoJo then Charlie and Louie… She loved all of them. Actually, she loved all animals. She spent a big portion of each day watching the Animal Planet channel on TV – fascinated by the variety and how they lived and what amazing creatures many of them are… In fact, if mom was out and about (not in recent days, but earlier) if she came across someone with a dog or a baby, she couldn’t resist stopping them and talking with them – talking, too, to the dog in tow and the baby… She was a woman who brought joy to even strangers.
 
          My Mother loved her Granddaughter Melissa as much as her own children. Melissa, when you came into her life it was one of the most joyous days your Grandmothers life...and watching you grow up into the beautiful smart person you are made her aging years wonderful ones... She was so proud of your accomplishments and loved every minute she was able to spend with you. 
 
          I’d like to read a brief tribute Melissa wrote about her grandmother:
Being her only Grandchild. I know I had a special place in grandma’s heart and she had a special place in mine. Some of the fondest memories of Grandma surrounded her love of food and cooking. I remember being in her kitchen and helping her peel plantains so she could show me how to make carmelized plantains. She would often cook her filipino specialties just for me, including her Sinigang and Lumpia with potatoes and raisins. When I got older and left home for Dental School, I remember the excitement upon returning home on the weekend to find that she left me a package of garlic peanuts. I will miss her caring and thoughtful personality. I will miss her cheerful smile and laugh. My Grandma was such a giving person and she will be missed by all who were blessed with her presence.
 
          She did love to cook… If you ever sat at her table you enjoyed her preparing Pancit or Lumpia, okr Sinigang or some other traditional Philippino dish. Her joy was seeing her guest’s pleasure.
 
          After my Mom Married my dad she loved to travel. Him being in the Air Force required him to move around a lot so we all had the opportunity to see many places around the world. They enjoyed seeing the wonders God had made in different parts of the world. They loved every place they went.
 
          Mom’s faith was deeply imbedded in her heart. She attended mass every Sunday here at Holy Spirit Church for years until her health made it difficult or impossible to get out… But she never forgot how to pray or how to trust in God’s goodness. Even though she clearly suffered with her lung problems and her back pain and her diabetes and blindness, she was never one to complain. She always had a smile and a kind word. She was always positive and satisfied with whatever God presented her in life. She was, however, a very independent woman and never, ever, wanted to be a burden to anyone. I’m sure she felt distress at becoming so dependent at the end…but she knew, even then, that God has blessed her.
 
          Mom enjoyed music. She loved Jonny Mathis and some of the old songs from that era. I noticed that there was one song that she kept singing at the end. I heard her singing “Pretty Woman” several times. And that’s what she was – not just a pretty woman, but a beautiful woman… a woman who radiated peace and contentment and patience and trust.
 
          Mom- you were the best mother a man could have had - or even a daughter or sister or grandmother. You were nothing but encouraging in all our lives. You wanted nothing but the best for all of us. You taught us how to be in this world - how to care and how to face each day with courage and joy. We will always love you and remember all you were in our lives...the dearest and the best. 

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 Eulogy for a mother... Eulogy by a son