Lois Van Ewijk
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All of the music heard during our Remembrance was chosen from among Lois' favorites: notes she'd made at one time or another, CDs to which she was listening. As we gathered today, we listened to Enya, the Irish singer-musician, in her album "Day Without Rain". Good afternoon, and welcome. I'm Lois' brother Patrick Skelly, from Cape Cod, designated driver on our ride down memory lane. Let me start by introducing the other family members with us today ...
First, of course, on the Van Ewijk side of the family ...
On the Grier side - our mother's family ...
On the Skelly side - our father's family ...
All our music today was chosen from among Lois' favorites: notes she'd made at one time or another, the CDs to which she was listening. Please sing or hum along if you wish. As we gathered, we listened to Enya, the Irish singer-musician, in her album "Day Without Rain". Let's start our remembrance of Lois on a reflective note. First we have "Everybody's Got A Home But Me" (2:52, .mp3 format, 3.4 MB) sung by Judy Tyler in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical "Pipe Dream". The show was a flop, but certainly not because of this song, a favorite for both Lois and me. Eileen Tilton - 'My Cousin Eileen', a good name for a Broadway Musical - shares with us her reading of the "23rd Psalm", And next we listen to the Josh Groban recording of "To Where You Are" (3:53, .mp3 format, 4.6 MB) with its thought that the home is now found, in a sense closing the circle. We hear now from Lynn Beyerle, as read by Peggy Bostian. And now from Dorothy Grier, as read by Karen Whitcomb. (Kathleen, my daughter, is now offering that personal support for our Aunt Catherine, "Kit".) I'd like to read next this note sent by Genevieve Kazdin on Cape Cod. Although she's not with us today, Lois and Rudy's niece, Isabelle Van Ewijk, in Belgium, sent us this poem which is read by Rachel Arnold. We thought so much of Isabelle's poem, "Lois", that Rudy has had copies printed for each of you as you leave today. Another of Lois' favorite songs, "You're Still You" (3:40, .mp3 format, 4.3 MB), again by Josh Groban, seems a fitting partner for that poem. I knew that my sister was a bridge addict, as was our mother. But Sharon Western trumps my memories when she talks about their Bridge Club.
Kathleen Wahl, a delightful friend to both Lois and I, tells of their first meeting. In these last few weeks, Rudy could see that Lois was seeking 'closure', working her list, thinking "What's needed before I can step out?" She reminded Rudy of shopping that was needed: Boston Cream Pie and 'Lotsa Pasta', a Dutch Apple Pie from Julian, and Poha Preserves from Hawaii. The rebuilding of their house on Fairbrook Road has started within the past month, after long and careful planning. Lois will be there, in the sense that many of the conveniences and design 'tweaks' arise from her talent for organization. Coming toward our ending here today, we have two pieces which Lois wrote recently; I think of them as being her answer to all the things we've said, heard, and thought today. The first - which I'll read - shows that through it all, she's maintained her sense of humor: Lois' Letter to Doctor Batko. The second - read by our cousin Herb Grier - shows how her positive attitude comes through, and sustained her: Lois' Letter to friends and family. Rudy now has a closing thought for us:
I want to express my thanks to all of you on behalf of Lois and myself.
Special thanks for those of you who have directly contributed to making this remembrance possible. I know that Lois will find a way to continue to be present in our lives. Lois is a treasure to be cherished. I will miss her dearly. Thanks again and let's all continue to celebrate her life. There is a special song between my sister and I, sung by Danny Quinn - a friend of ours, a musician we both love. We were to join Danny on an Irish Music Cruise just two weeks from today. Lois, always looking ahead to what should happen, was confident she would be there. That is not to be, but the celebration is not to be lost. Lois and Rudy have asked that my daughter Kathleen and her husband Greg come in their place. And so it shall be. Danny Quinn sent me just this week, especially for us today, his recording of that song, "Waltzing With Bears" (3:19, .mp3 format, 3.9 MB). Let us enjoy its silliness, just as Lois did, as we leave and walk out into this beautiful day.
On behalf of Lois' family, four generations of us, here and around the world, I join with Rudy and all of us to thank you for joining and sharing with us. Current page: www.timelycomputerstuff.com/remembrance/index.html 
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