Mom's Memorial Service

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As a native of Labasheeda who knew our family well, Father Tom was the perfect choice for Mom's memorial service. He was casual and personable, very warm. Mom would have loved that her cousins Joe, Peggy and Nell McMahon attended to pay their respects and visit with us. Mom's ashes were scattered on the family plot where her brothers, parents and grandparents also lay inside an open roofed old Augustine monastery dating back to the 12th Century. Mom's name and dates have been added to the family headstone so as to make her mark official.

It is no mystery why Mom wanted to return here. Having fallen into a state of disrepair, the monastery has lost its roof though its thick stone walls still stand, covered by a heavy layer of vibrant green vines. Within the walls of the monastery is a sheltered silence, punctuated only by the sing song of birds as they flitted in and out of the vines throughout the service. As Steve recited Mom's favourite poem, I could clearly hear her reciting it in chorus and acting it out exactly as she used to when we were kids. From the headstone is a direct view through the regal archway and down the rolling green hills out onto the Shannon Estuary. The blended aroma of Irish lushness and sea air are so fitting. Mum has come home.