Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Dear Family and Friends,
I regret not being present with you today, for I too would like to honour with you, our Aunt Rosemary - who is so dear to our little family. We have dedicated three masses to her intention as of July 11.
Aunt Rosemary, I can't thank you enough for the interest you have always taken in me, especially from the moment I arrived on Arjay Crescent, for my ninth birthday. I could look out of my bedroom window and see the coming and goings of your beautiful cars on our shared driveway. You took special care of me, like a Mother, during what for me was quite a lonely period. You opened my eyes to your way of life. You were marvelous at receiving people, and you showed great temperance when others were not respectful. But if one thing stood out as a constant, it was Sunday mass. You never missed it. When you came to visit in Georgian Bay, I drove you to mass , a forty minute boat ride away. I went inside with you a few times, but not frequently. I know you prayed for me and all of us.
In 1998 I became "A born again Christian" - also taking the Catholic faith. What a joy for you! Charlotte and Martha were 6 and 4 years old respectively. This gave us a very large area of "entente" where we could share the Catholic faith that was such a part of your education, of your person - audience with the pope with your father when you were a teenager.
You were very kind to me, Fabienne and our girls, as you were with all of your family. From your floral paintings, to your passion for clothing - I will always remember you dressed tip to toe in Rose - I should say pink, and what a treat to visit you at Chickcharney Bahamas, where you were really in your element!
You did a wonderful job as Grandmother, Rosemary. We loved you every bit as much. You were Rosemamy from the very first visit, thank you for so many memories. You are an inspiration for our girls for your strength of character, education, fantasy, and audacity.
You told me walking on the beach at Lyford Cay, "That I am going to die with my boots on". Well I remember a saying, attributed to General MacArthur, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."
God bless you Aunt Rosemary
Love,
Tommy xoxo
