Saturday, January 16, 2021
Thanks to all of you who attended Lucy’s wonderful service and all those who streamed it from afar. All the wonderful comments and support we’ve received that day and each day since, has been very, very comforting.
Everyone reading this loved Lucy and is sad not to have her here amongst us today. However, despite our tears, we also feel profound joy in our knowledge that she is FINALLY reunited with her beloved Son Roger, her parents and the siblings who have arrived at the party before her. We know that her amazing smile and her ever-joyful spirit is lighting up that reunion as it did every Schoborg Reunion she attended here on earth. I must express my own personal thanks to Lucy’s Schoborg & Perry families for your very kind comments at her Service, as well how you’ve made me feel like part of your families since 1990.
It’s been my privilege to share the incredible bond you have with each other and with Lucy. I have to express my Extra-Special thanks to Donnie and April for defining Southern Hospitality & love toward this Massachusetts Pilgrim since we met. I’ve tried to learn from your kindness & extraordinary grace each day.
I mentioned to Cece yesterday how rare it is to see so many sisters (and brothers) who have SO much fun together year in and year out. She said “We are close. There’s never been a time that one of us was not speaking to any of the others.” What a tribute to each of them and to their parents, Bill & Helen. If ever Merriam is ever looking to illustrate what Family Loyalty looks like in her dictionary, this family has no equal and should win, hands (and Limburger) down.
We have all marveled at the strength Lucy showed through the devastating loss of Roger, from cancer and back surgeries over the last 25 years, but the battles she fought (and won) to stay with us during 2020 as well. Imagine the following 2020 hospital stays in 12 months: 4 stays with painful and potentially deadly “digestive” issues in January & February; 1 for a stroke on her 80th birthday. (with NO loss in motor skills); a much needed trip for a hip replacement in Nov., (She was recovering so quickly, we called it “Dannaw’s Zig-Zag Swag.)
Another stay for Congestive Heart Failure in late November. A few days later, we drove back to the hospital with shortness of breath. They said she had a heart attack and installed a Stent in her main artery. STILL, everything worked, INCLUDING her unmatched spirit and dazzling smile. She said many times: “I need to be better to get back to my garden by spring. “
I know you realized she was Schoborg-Perry Strong, but unlike even Wonder-Woman, Lucy did ALLLL this with NO cape or even a whip, for goodness sake !! Each time the Lord said to her, “It’s time to come home, My Dear Lucy,” she silently said “Please Lord, not yet.”
You may feel you know how her story ended, sleeping peacefully in her bed on the 9th of January, when she finally replied to the Lord, whispering ever so quietly, “I’m ready. Take me Home, My Sweet Lord.”
As you know, Lucy has just opened a new branch of Lucyland, just across the street from here. Very much like 932 looked when she arrived, it too looks a bit barren. No trees. No perennials. But one day soon, she’ll make sure that trees are planted (probably EVERgreens) and that flowers are blooming. And just as she’s done from 932, she’ll see to it, with some help from us, that her neighbor’s property is brighter & more beautiful, as well.
Something I learned from Lucy over the years: whenever we are crying from understandable, perhaps unbearable pain, a smile and a laugh can give us strength to move on. I’ve tried to utilize that coping-tool here. Please know that I intended no disrespect to My Lady Lucy or to any of you. After all, we need all the help we can get.
Just as with all of our loved ones, Our Lucy will live on forever in our hearts, reminding us to fight on through any obstacles life may present, and to do it with a smile. I believe that not one of you, no matter how much you love her would postpone the Invitation given to her from the Lord to her long awaited family reunion, not even if she were the Love of your Life, as she is of mine.
Thanks for listening to my thoughts.
God Bless you Everyone.
Jeff T.
note. Lucy’s wonderful service given by Brother Bill Shutt and April is still available at Facebook.com. Log in and enter “Lucy Perry’s Funeral Service.” You will be asked to request a pass code. That may arrive the same day, if not the next day. I believe you will find the same comfort and inspiration from it that so many of us have.
