Sunrise Presbyterian, Sullivans Island, S.C.
Gene could pack a house until the very end and was sent off in a way that would have delighted her. Friends from the theatrical world, Dragon Boat paddlers, church family and fellow nurses filled the church on Sullivan's Island this afternoon.
Gene's close circle of friends remembered that she claimed she wanted her funeral full of women in colorful prom dresses and facebook has been buzzing with messages posted from dressing rooms in Goodwill stores around town. Party City had pink boas. One gal wore her Mother of the Bride dress. One squeezed into her pink junior prom frock. I held out okay through the service but the sight of these loving women who have been feverishly distracting themselves from their sorrow by shopping to please Gene in this last request almost did me in.
Joan, thank you so much for filling Gene's request for pictures. And please thank "Gene's team" for wearing their "prom" dresses. Wish they had taped the service so I could see it. I know they gave our grand lady Gene an absolutely fine farewell.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute to a remarkable woman. Thank you for letting us share a little in the adventure that was Gene.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a wonderful person, and you've given her a beautiful tribute...
ReplyDeleteGlad a picture of the paddles was captured...that gave me goosebumps!-kandi
ReplyDeleteAnon - It was the perfect send off. The speakers were wonderful.
ReplyDeletebrattcat - You would have loved her. She was quite a character.
Madge - She deserves it. Thanks.
Kandi - I agree, felt a little odd taking photos at a funeral but it was the right thing to do. Y'all did great!
Fancy PINK boas! Fun foto!
ReplyDeleteReally want to thank everyone for this last tribute to my Aunt Gene. There are some BIG smiles from Heaven this day. I know she is beaming with happiness :)))
ReplyDeleteShe spread a lot of love, and it looks like she got it back in spades.
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Olivia - what a special send off. I've never been in a funeral service with so much laughter and applause. I agree, she loved it.
ReplyDeletelowandslow - that is the truth.
Leif - there was pink fluff floating everywhere. Made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteWhat are the first three letters of the word funeral? FUN Gene's sounds like it was just that what which she wanted!
ReplyDeleteThe entire service was incredible! As soon as I saw the first prom dress, I knew Gene had something to do with it. Thank you, ladies, for honoring her request...I KNOW she enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with the love that is simply oozing from this post. Gene, you touched a lot of friends. Gene's friends, you are the best.
ReplyDeleteAnon - It was!
ReplyDeleteRamona - She did indeed. I remember her saying it.
Jack - True. These nursing friends had a special bond.
If there's such a thing as an excellent funeral, this looks like IT. Not to mention excellent friends, which are essential.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this post quite a bit since I first saw it. Makes me both sad at her loss and happy at the way her friends celebrated her life.
ReplyDeleteMarcheline - It was an excellent funeral.
ReplyDeleteKate - The girls think she made the request on purpose to keep them busy and distracted. She liked to organize and the courageousness of the request kept our minds occupied instead of grieving.
What a marvelous send off for someone who was obviously so well loved.
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