My Eulogy for Mom
Greetings everyone! We are all gathered here today in the memory of our mother, Marie Louise Domino. We acknowledge and share both our joy of her life and the sorrow of her passing. Now let us recall the love and joy that she exuded to all.
Mom was 96 when she passed away on Good Friday April 19th. While we know she is at peace, there is still sorrow. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love of family and her faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. The ways she touched our lives will always remain dear to our hearts, and I ask you all to keep those memories alive by sharing them with each other.
One of the most important things in Mom’s life was being a parent to me and my sister Jeannie. She took great pride in raising us children. Mom was so special. She always said, “I have the best children a mother could ask for.” It takes patience and love to bring kids up properly. It’s safe to say that Mom had the patience of a saint!
Mom had a kind heart. But still, how well did we know our mom? It was not until later in life when I was writing a book about the Great Depression and WWII that I got better aquatinted with her past. While interviewing various veterans, I asked mom what she did during the war. She said that she worked on inspecting radar sets for Westinghouse corporation. She worked eight-ten hours every day for three and a half years, seven days a week, with no time off. I asked mom, “Why didn’t you tell us about this before?” She simply replied, “You never asked!”
Mom came from a very religious Catholic family. Her mother almost became a nun but her father wanted her to get married and have children because her sister was already a nun. Her father and mother came from Italy and were very devoted Catholics. I recall visiting my grandfather when he was in a nursing home. I just returned from getting promoted in the Air Force so I pinned my captain bars on his pajamas. He said, “Thank you very much, Johnny-boy for visiting but I feel fine! It’s other folks here are sick.” Then grandpa got up and visited each patient one-by-one saying prayers and tending to their needs. That’s the kind of family my mother had, so gracious and kind. I decided years ago that, that’s the legacy that I want to follow.
I will now recite a prayer poem I wrote for mom seven years ago titled,
“Mother, I Can Hear Your Voice”.
I recall fond memories about our family growing up
You were calling us to have dinner and all was well
Mother, I can still hear your voice as clear as a bell.
Mother’s treats were special and we knew it by the lovely smell
You made us feel important as we gathered around the table
You always had kind words to say and a comforting story to tell
You helped me become the person I am today
Mother, I love you and miss you so
In my heart and my soul, you will always dwell.
Mom is survived by two children, 3 grandchildren, 4 great grand-children, and other relatives and friends. Her faith and her family were paramount! Throughout so many years she managed to keep her priorities straight. What’s more important than love for God and family? Somehow Mom’s strong faith throughout her life set a legacy for others to follow.
On behalf of myself, my sister, Jeannie, and rest of our family, I’d like to thank you all for coming here today. Now I will close with 1 Corinthians 13: 4- which best describes our moms’ character.
4Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails!
Mom is now on “Eagle Wings” and is in her glory!
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us a precious gift,
the most wonderful mom we could ask for. Amen!
4/20/19, John Muchael Domino
Love ya!
Jane
I hadn't thought of it until you wrote this, but my mother, 94, and in assisted living, may die before very long and I may be asked to write her eulogy. Although my sister is a fairly good writer and attends to her all the time, may write a eulogy without asking me. That's okay. My younger sister is a blessing because she's the only one of us five (four of us twin brothers) that is still living in the hometown. I have already written my eulogy and shared it with my brothers and sister, so they will not have to deal with that task. Only, trying to deal with my death a thousand miles away.
Your poem is so similar to our dinner table until I left for college. It's really too bad that dinner tables are not like that anymore except for strict parents who sometimes have that backfire on them. My mother and father were both very free to let us find our own way while setting a good example with their lives, and I'm so grateful for that.
Ron