In Memory of Geoff Anderson 1945-2012

Geoff Anderson

This weekend, June 22, our family had the memorial for my brother-in-law, Geoff Anderson.  He died at the young age of 67...a year older than the age my father died.  There are many great qualities about Geoff that I could write about, but this posting would be many pages long if I attempted this.  Yes, he was intelligent and had a gift with words.  Yes, he was one of the most well read people I have known (not counting my sister, Linda, his wife).  But, to me, I remember Geoff as having the ability to make each person he talked to feel like s/he was the center of his attention.  This was part of who he was....he cared about people...relatives, friends, and those he just happened to meet...even if it be for just one time.

 He was always looking out for the 'little guy'...or those who did not have a strong voice.  At his wake in November, many people told me that Geoff helped them...in many different ways...from pep talks and encouraging words, supporting them at times of despair, to writing references for them.  A group representing the Hispanic community provided tasty food for Geoff's family.  They told me that he was a major support for them when it was not 'popular'.

My sister, Linda, planned the memorial service.  It was simple, touching and beautiful.  We were fortunate that Geoff wanted his ashes buried in the small country cemetery of Ebenezer Church near Vernon, Indiana.  There are seven generations of our family buried there...and with only about 127 graves...most of them are ancestors of mine.  The pictures I will include can do more in showing the setting...country, quiet, and peaceful.  Geoff felt a connection with this little cemetery...and now there are eight generations of family buried at Ebenezer.

Ebenezer Church began in Judge James William Prather's home in 1816



Inside Ebenezer United Methodist Church




Geoff's brother, Danny digging the hole for ashes.





It may seem strange that we dug the hole for Geoff's ashes ourselves, but in seemed to make the whole memorial more personal.  Danny, my sister, my husband, Ray, and I did this the day before the memorial...well, Danny did the digging and the rest of us watched and gave advice.

We posted signs with arrows to help friends and relatives to locate the church.  It is tucked away down a gravel lane between a wooded area and corn fields. (Thank you to my niece Maggie, her boyfriend, Mike and my childhood friend since first grade, Karen for helping with the signs.  I would have never gotten them all out without your help.)  People traveled from both coasts, Boston, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee and Indiana to be part of this memorial.  Some got lost and had to call for directions.


Gravel lane to Ebenezer.  Friends arriving.



Lynn, George and Janie...and Little Gracie



Rob and Bill discussing their adventures in finding the church

 When all had arrived, Danny rang the church bell which brought  feelings sadness and joy to me....sadness, because the world lost a remarkable man...sadness for my sister who lost her best friend and husband...sadness for his children....but joy in being able to celebrate his life in such an intimate setting knowing he would approve.

The tolling bell also reminded me of the little country church we attended when I was a child, Salem Methodist.  And my heart was warmed when I saw friends from that church, Kathy, Lucia and their mother, Maxine sitting in the straight back pews of Ebenezer. How kind of them to join us.  http://familytrove.blogspot.com/2013/03/some-friends-are-really-family.html
My friend since first grade, Karen, also came. Even though we live hundreds of miles apart and rarely get to visit, we have always been a support for each other. 
I don't have space to write each person's name, although I want to.  We had cousins from across the country join us.  This was the joy I felt, seeing the web of all of us connected by Geoff and Linda.

              

Linda and Danny before the program began.

Here is the program for Geoff's memorial.

 Prelude (Geoff's favorite music)

Linda welcomes friends and relatives

An Aunt's Memories
Janet Anderson's memories read by Claudia Fladung

Claudia, Geoff's sister

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

(Rebecca Beck, Nathan Foster & Maggie Foster)

Becky, Maggie and Nathan

Amazing Grace (Arrangement by Johnny Staats)

Jackie Haworth Hoy & Ray Hoy & Colby Beck

Colby, Jackie (me) and Ray (my husband)

Crossing the Bar (Tennyson)

Read by Connie Dorval-Bernal

Connie Dorval-Bernal

Prayer of Saint Francis

Read by Tom Pflaumer

Tom before he read Prayer of Saint Francis

Eulogy

Daniel Anderson

Danny Anderson

Whispering Hope

Jackie Haworth Hoy & Ray Hoy

Jackie and Ray

Closing Remarks

Linda Anderson

Procession to Grave

Closing up the Cottage (Barn Owls)
Thank you all, friends and family, for being a part of this time of celebration in honor of Geoff's life.  Your

presence here today and support during the past year means more to us than we can express.

Linda, Becky, Chris, Nathan & Maggie

Please enjoy the following pictures from the memorial.

There is a pot belly stove next to Ray (getting camera on tripod)

Aunt Janet, Eric (Geoff's brother) and Page

Audrey and Abby passing out shells and stones to be placed in the bird bath.

Jackson and Cooper



Abby and Nathan after placing stone and shell  in bird bath

Bird Bath
Geoff loved taking pictures of birds. 

Cathy and Greg have placed stones and shells in bird bath.  Cathy is getting ready to give Linda a hug.  My friend, Karen, is not 'goosing' Greg...she is placing her stone in the bird bath. (Sorry, Karen, I had to use this picture.)

Cathy and Greg came from Iowa to join in the memorial. 

Cousins, Debbie and Gilbert Haworth, Susie Mullins and Debbie Powell

Cathy, Maxine and Lucia choosing stones and shells.

Gracie came from Tennessee

Annie lives next door to Linda.

It was hard to get a picture of Cooper.  He was on the go the whole time and helped watch over Jackson and Abby.

Abby

Bill's last good-bye




 The Becks: Colby, Cooper, Becky and Audrey

Colby made the tie dye t-shirts. 

I will end with a haiku that was written by Don Coffin a friend of Linda's from Indiana University.  He sent it to Linda after the memorial.

A small country church.
Inside, we filled the benches.
Farewell to a friend.
22 June 2013





Last Day of Challenge but... More Adventure to Come!

Ah...the last day of the challenge!  I wonder how many others will write about this...or at least think it?  I must admit...when I began this challenge I was not sure how stressed I would be...and being truthful...I did have a few tense days....wondering what to write...or searching for a picture.  Yes, I'm  glad Cathy 'encouraged' to take the plunge...and no, Cathy, I did not curse your name... ever.

I plan to continue writing this blog weekly and join the weekly group if that is possible.  I think that Ruth and Stacey have done an amazing feat in getting so many people blogging and commenting on other blogs...and doing this everyday for a whole month...and not a short month like February...but a month with 31 days in it. 

So, it is Easter Day...a day of renewal...of new beginnings...and yet this is the last day of the Challenge....but I intend to make it the beginning of scheduling a blog a week.  I had begun this blog to tell family stories....and encouraged family members to write their stories as well.  Last spring, our family began a long and sad journey when my sister's husband, Geoff, was diagnosed with cancer, spending two long periods in the hospital...30 days the first time...and over 70 days the last time...and died in November. 

Geoff

My sister amazed me at her determination to be by his side at all times...to be his advocate as well as his wife.  I have always admired my sister's strength, intelligence, humor, sensitivity...but mostly her love of family...and after spending those months together with her I know how fortunte I am to be her sister. 

I did not write any posts for the blog from April until March 1st.  Feeling were too raw. But writing that first post kicked me back into action.  My
mourning continued, but knowing Geoff's sense of humor, I know he would have appreciated some of the Maxine stories as he would encourage  Maxine to tell her stories.  So each day my writing became less of a task and more of an adventure. 

I thank those who have read this blog and I hope you continue to do so.  I will post it on Facebook for those of you not in the Slice of Life.   It has meant a lot to read your comments and to realize that some of you actually looked forward to another story.   There are still many Maxine and Rae stories to tell...and of course, a sprinkling of others.  Seems a lot enjoyed the story Water Fall with Rae and me trying to move a waterbed. 

Of course, I thank my mother, Maxine, who remains with us in spirit and who was my inspiration to begin this blog...to tell her stories...like how she and my father met...that will take a number of posts though.



Maxine(Nana) with Nathan and Maggie

I want to also thank Rae...for being a good sport and letting me tell stories about her. Those of you who know her know what a super person she is...and wait until you hear the story of wall papering her bathroom.... But that will be later post.

And, yes, I thank my husband Ray. Ray has watched me stress...has been the tech support for me, solving all my computer problems...encouraged me to take the challenge...searched for pictures I could not find....helped me title the posts and proof read the posts before I clicked on 'publish'  and...well, many more ways to support this endeavor. 

Ray and Rae on Pirate Ship in Clearwater Beach

I love doing this....love the opportunity...love those who read my posts....and those who comment which lets me know there are people out there reading.  Have I said 'love' too many times?  I can't help it...it is just how I feel right now...so I think I will listen to LOVE by the Beatles!