Easter Weekend 2008

A sad but glorious weekend. Dan was playing golf with 2 of his sons Good Friday and started feeling bad on the 9th hole. He told them he had better go on home. Jeb called me to tell me he was bringing Dad home. They were pretty far away because Grant lives in Athens and they were playing at a course between Snellville & Athens. As they traveled, Dan said he had better go to the emergency room. Jeb called me and told me to meet him at Northside with Dan’s nitroglycerin. By the time I arrived, Dan was there and Jeb was in the “Quiet Room”. He actually died on 285 at the exit of Peachtree Dunwoody where the hospital is. No heartbeat or breathing. Poor Jeb. He was trying to keep him alive until he could make it to the hospital. What a shock.

Thank goodness all of my children and grandchildren and Patsy came and really, along with all of the tears was a lot of joy as we celebrated Dan’s life. Gosh he was so loved. We all went to Mass Sunday morning – Easter – and the funeral was Monday. I’ve never been to a more beautiful, joyful funeral. My church choir sang the songs we selected and the music was absolutely the most beautiful and just perfect. They even did the Meditation song as “Danny Boy”. Our wonderful friend and previous pastor, Fr. Paul Fogarty presided along with our current pastor, Fr. Patrick Kingery. Two other priests just showed up and vested and served. They were good friends in years gone by and one had married Jeb and Kathy 21 years ago. What a wonderful surprise and tribute.

Three of our grandchildren (Kelly, Claire and Andrew) served as Altar Servers, 5 grands (Nicole, Danny, Eric, David and Fiona) brought down the gifts, Ted did the first reading, Grant the second reading. Jeb did a witness talk – funny and tender, and Bob (Carol’s husband) did the 2nd witness talk and was just great. He knows how to make people laugh as he told some of the crazy stories about Grandaddy. Michael was too young to participate, but was such a good boy all during the service. He seemed to understand that he needed to be good and he definitely is sad that grandaddy died.

Jeb put together a great slide show with all of the pictures of Dan with family, he was always cutting up with the kids and grands. We had tables of memorabilia – pictures and all sorts of stuff. I can’t guess how many people came – but at least 500. Dan’s siblings were all there – Margie, Jack, Kay and her daughter Kathleen, Bob and his kids, Anthony and his wife Ashley, Bill, John and Tyler., Eleanor and Chris, Edward’s children, Milette and Victor and their children Charlie, Elliot and Meg. Of course, my right arm, Patsy, was here the whole time, and her girls Laurie with John, and Debbie, Betty Claire, Elizabeth and Robby represented Betty.

The Women’s Club served a luncheon in the Parish Hall for everyone who wanted to come and the food was delicious. They had tablecloths and it looked so pretty. I was so proud.

I’ve never hugged so many people and felt so loved. We have had so much food brought by – fed so many people here at the house. Patsy, Carol, Kathy, Jami, Susan, Nicole and Patsy’s girls, Laurie and Debbie, kept the food rolling in and out. Our family is so close and each one just did the right thing. Yesterday afternoon until 10 last night we had an “Irish Wake”. We started with bloody mary’s and each person here toasted Dan and told a story about things they remembered. It was great. My family is so loud and fun and we just laughed and loved each other all day. Dan, I know, is proud that we were able to celebrate with so much joy.

Now life goes on, but I know Dan will do wonders for all of us in Heaven. I’m sure he arranged yesterday that Grant got a contract on one of his houses for asking price. Let’s all write down the things he’s doing for us from Heaven. It’s nice to have a direct line.

I love you, honey, and all of the rest do, to.