The Eulogy of  Therese McCoy - Eulogy for a Mother - Eulogy by a daughter

Therese McCoy
 
            I’d like to start off by expressing my deepest appreciation for all of you who have come today to say a final farewell to my wonderful mother. Your presence today and all the phone calls and visits and cards in the past couple of weeks have meant so much. Thank you.
 
            Tom and I are among the most fortunate people in the world. We have had a mother who, from before we were even born, loved us completely. She nurtured us and encouraged us and implanted in us the values and faith we hold to this day. To me, mom was my best friend, my confidant, my moral compass. When I needed help she was always there. When I needed someone to listen she was there. When I needed someone to share my fears and anxieties and uncertainties with, mom was just a phone call away. She was my everything.
 
             Mom and dad were married for sixty one years. I’m pretty sure there were a few difficulties along the way, but theirs was a love that lasted and grew stronger over the years and has been an inspiration to all of us. They met at a CYO dance at the Crest Haven Country Club back in 1955. I’m sure dad could tell you all the details of their first meeting and their courtship… but I know that for the next six decades they always took care of one another in a wonderful way. They loved to travel whenever they could. They loved vacationing with family and friends every summer at Dellwood Acres in Pennsylvania and Woodloch Pines… such wonderful memories we all have of those days.
 
             Four grandkids: James, Alanna, John, and Corinne. The four of you gave your grandmother four of the most joyous days of her life – the days on which each of you were born. Then, for the past twenty some years she has watched each of you grow up into the amazing people you are. She loved you tremendously. I know that time and distance made it difficult to see her often, but I know she thought of each of  you every day and that she no doubt prayed for  you – that God would bless you richly. I hope that each of you will take some of her character and the qualities of her life and allow those things to define your own lives…
 
            Mom was one of those women who is super organized. She spent most of her life making sure things got done. She was an Administrative Assistant for CCS when she was younger (she worked in her most favorite building of all time – the Empire State Building). She worked at CBS and then, after we were raised and out of the house she became a legal secretary on Long Island. Wherever she worked, she loved what she did… bringing in some money for the family and making new friends at each place… She was the kind of organized that we used to joke with her that she had an active file for everyone she ever met. …and she may have.
 
            Mom loved to always be in the know. I remember one time she was at the ER with Tom for some minor injury. The waiting area was packed and they were, of course, taking the most serious cases first. Tom’s wasn’t so they had to wait a while. They watched numerous people come and go. Mom knew each one had a story. At one point a man was brought in by the police. He wasn’t a very cooperative patient and was making a scene. Tom was called in just then. Mom asked the attending nurse if it was possible for them to skip over Tom – just until whatever was going on with the abusive man played out. She wanted to see how it ended.
 
            Another time – again at the hospital, this time with her being the patient, the surgeon came in with a sheaf of papers for her to sign. She quickly asked him whether he was holding her surgical instruction manual. The doctor, quick of wit himself, replied, “No. I don’t need a manual. I’ve learned everything I need to know for your surgery on YouTube.” Mom loved it… a surgeon with a sense of humor….
 
            All her life mom was all about helping people – at work – at home – here at St. Gregory’s. I’ve often thought that she was the epitome of what the Christian faith is all about – serving others – loving others – putting others before yourself – loving God.
 
            Mom would be here at St. Greg’s every Saturday evening for the 5:00 mass. She never missed. She was involved in the Rosary Altar Society and the Our Lady of Victory Rosary. Outside of the church she was the former president and VP of the Junior League, Involved with the Homemakers Club, GNYR car club (she sent hundreds of get-well cards, condolence flowers and birthday wishes to members). She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Long Island Quilting Club… She was an active lady – always giving of herself.
 
            Mom loved vintage cars. If there was a car show in the area, mom always put it on her calendar and made plans to attend. I don’t know where she got her love for the old autos but I suppose they reminded her of seeing those same models when they were new and on the streets. Seeing them again gave her a sense of nostalgia for her earlier life.
 
            Mom loved to quilt and sew. Some of the things she made are in all our homes and we will always treasure them because each item was made with love.
 
            Mom was the kind of woman who always made you feel you were the most special person in the world. She always gave you whatever time you needed, she never rushed anything, she never made you feel like she had something she needed to get to or someplace she needed to be… When you were with her, she was yours… Probably the two people who know that best are her sister, Joan and Bestie Jean… She talked to one or the other or both on the phone every day. They were best friends. The two of you will certainly miss mom. She SO loved you…Thank you for loving her the way you did.
 
            Mom loved the song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from her favorite movie, “The Wizard of OZ.” I think she loved it because it is a song of hope and dreams and the wonder of what the future might hold. I think its words are appropriate for today. It says:
Someday, I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me…
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
 
            ______ and I took mom and dad to see the “Lion King” a few weeks ago. Mom commented on a song in that movie, too… And it suits all of us:
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
With all its living things.
 
Can you feel the love today? It’s ours for mom and her’s for us.
Mom – you were our everything. You were a warrior throughout your life. Throughout you were brave and trusted in the God you always worshipped. You inspired our love – you shaped our lives… and we will love you forever.     
 

 Eulogy for a mother... Eulogy by a daughter