To quote, or rather paraphrase, a few words from our friend Jamie:  “I’m going to begin by saying my sister, Maureen is the strongest, most beautiful person I know.   There is a red heart on her bedside table that says:  “You are beautiful inside and out.”  This is Moe.  In every picture you see of Moe, no matter how many people are in the picture, it’s her radiant smile, lighting up the world that becomes the focal point. 

She was and is even more beautiful inside…. There are many ways to describe Moe.   She was compassionate, selfless, and thoughtful.  It didn’t matter how ill she felt, if you mentioned an ailment, like a headache – IT became her focus and off she went to find a remedy in her medicine cabinet or stash of herbal medicines.  Just two weeks ago when I went shopping for groceries, she asked me to get a least 6 boxes of Kleenex. She saw me bring them in the house and said, “Great, you got the Kleenex.  Can you put one in every room?” I didn’t realize until later that she was thinking of everyone else who would come to the house, after she died, and how much that Kleenex would be needed. 

Moe absolutely loved life.  She was easy-going; nothing ever bothered her.  I’m sure her motto was, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  She was witty and fun loving.  Even in life’s most challenging moments, when John Strong died and we were planning the celebration of his life, she said, “YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! I want all that too!  I want T-shirts, a website, buttons, bookmarks and fridge magnets.”  Well, Moe, we got the website and bookmarks done but we’re still working on the rest!

Wherever Moe lived, that was the “Moe-tel.”  She loved big crowds and good food.  She felt at home amidst the chaos.  She believed that “Relationships are all that is!”   We all loved going to see Moe, John and the boys despite the fact that she would have a long list of jobs to do around the house as soon as we arrived.   When she knew you were coming, she would think of your talents and make her list accordingly.  Dad always had a ton to do around that 100-year-old house from instructing Jamie on how to paint the exterior of the house to removing the cement sink in the basement and on and on.

Many people sought guidance from Moe.  She genuinely loved to talk to people, which is why people loved talking with her so much.  If you went to her with any kind of problem, which I’m sure some of you have, it was her wisdom, her intuitiveness, and her wit that would always make you see there was really nothing to worry about at all.  She was a master of putting things in perspective and helping to find a solution to the problem.  She loved to give advice about bringing up kids, which is something she did so naturally and so well.  One of her favourite lines was, “Sugar highs and sugar lows!” warning us of the dangers of treats. 

She used to call herself the “step-monster” instead of a stepmother.  But I think Corey would agree Moe was a pretty cool step-monster who loved him tremendously. 

Moe never complained.  There were points when she was so unbelievably ill, but she never complained.  She was always so thankful for what the doctors and nurses could do for her. They loved her, and fought with her, and for her.  In their reports they always referred to her as a “lovely” woman or lovely young mother. 

She was unbelievably strong and determined to live.  She had so much to fight for – She had Christopher, Connor, John and Corey.  So, she never complained, instead she set her focus.  She believed that cancer is a flaw in the bodies’ ability to heal itself.  She decided to focus on “healing.”  She took a holistic approach and fed her heart, soul, mind and body.  All were equally important.  She read veraciously about healing the body with nutrition, all the while becoming quietly more spiritual. 

Fr. Lynch in Connecticut spent some time with Moe in her last few weeks and he, too, was amazed at her wisdom and grace.  He felt she was in the “thin space” between heaven and earth.  He asked her what she saw when she looked back.  She had no trouble looking back and she had no regrets.  She wasn’t afraid to look ahead either.  She was at peace in the end.  He asked her what she learned in her life, and she leaves us with a bit of wisdom:  She said, “If you are drawn to do something, DO IT!”  She believed in divine intervention or at least a signpost saying, “this is the way to go.”  And, she said, “You always think you have more days, so say the things you need to say, and do the things you need to do.”

I know at the time she was writing thank you notes to my siblings.  She had the time to thoughtfully write out messages to Kelly, Catherine, Christina and myself.  She started writing to Ray but she only got a few lines done.  You could see she was intending to finish her note to Ray and carry on to Carolyn, Mary Anne and Tom.

But, I know what she would say to you guys.  She would say she loved you deeply and she couldn’t have done it without you. Ray, she would have thanked you for all the fix it jobs – you know the light to the garage, the phone system, the garb orator, and the endless plugs and switches.  You made her life a little easier.  And Sherri, for spending those difficult days with her, comforting her.

Carolyn, there is lots to say here.  But, I know she would gush about the two monkeys you knitted for her.  A few weeks ago, she hopped out of bed so excited to show me something.  She rummaged through the closet, and pulled out the two monkeys.

Connor and Christopher, when she pulled them out of the closet she said, “I wanted the boys to have something to hang on to, when I’m gone.  I want them to know I love them and I’m still with them.”  Just like Fr. Lynch said, boys, your mom will always be with you in your hearts.  She’ll be with the gentle breeze running through you hair.  So, Chris, you don’t need to be afraid of the wind anymore.  Your mom will be with you.  And when the wind blows hard, it’s just you mom giving you a great big hug.  So, don’t be afraid, she’s there to protect you and help you. You can talk to her.

Connor, there was a day just a few weeks ago that your mom came downstairs and sat on the floor in front of the front door screen watching you play baseball.  I don’t think you knew she was there.  She is so proud of you every time you hit that ball.  Now, she will be there every time you hit that homerun.  She will be the one jumping up and down and screaming the loudest because she is with you always.  As Chris points out, she doesn’t even need a ticket to the game.

Mary Anne, I think Moe would have written you far more than a note – she would have at least filled a legal pad.  You helped her with tons of legal beagle stuff and you continue to help John.  But more importantly, you are there for Chris, giving him all the hugs he needs.  But I still think I’m the favourite aunty, right Chris?

Tom, I hope you know how much Moe appreciated and loved you.  You disrupted your life to move to Connecticut to try to fill the void left by John Strong.   You were always there making Chris and Connor feel secure, taking care of the mounds of recycling, the gardening, AND filming precious moments of Moe and the boys, all the while answering all of Chris’ many, many questions.  Tom, you made Moe feel at ease, knowing you were there to step in when she and John could not.  Thank you, Tom.

My heart goes out to Mom and Dad.  We all know it doesn’t follow the natural order when parents outlive their child and, here you are, having to go through it all again.  It’s not right but there are many more children, grandchildren, and future great grand children that will need to learn from you.   You know you need to stay in your hearts and not in your heads. 

John John, I want to you know that Moe loved you fiercely.  But you already know that – especially when you look at all the pictures of her hugging you.  You were her rock when things got tough.  She would not have been able to do it without you.  You helped her with some of the toughest moments in her life and I know you lengthened her life so that she could be with her boys and build the foundation upon which you will continue to build.  I know she was the “glue” in the family- she was the organizer, the bookkeeper, the vacation planner, the spiritual guide, and a caregiver; but, I know you can do it and there is no one better – She picked you.

Connor and Christopher, do you know how much you Mom loved you?  She loved you this much (arms outstretched).  Connor your mom used to rush home from work just to see you.  She’d run in the kitchen door and into the old playroom pretending she was a monster taking great big steps, chasing you around and scoop you up to give you the biggest hug she could.  Then, Christopher you were born. Do you remember that picture we looked at together the other day?  Your mom was holding you in the hospital and Connor had come to visit you for the first time.  You were just tiny.  That was one of the happiest days of her life. 

Boys, your mom wants you to know that its okay to be sad, to be angry, and to be happy.  But most of all, she wants you and Daddy to be as happy as you can be.

Moe wants us to celebrate her life today.  She and I worked on her memory book.  If you haven’t had a chance to add a story or happy memory, please do.  She enjoyed working on that and she wants it to be a keepsake for John and the boys.

Moe spoke fondly of Fr. Brunet.  She asked that Father preside over this day, because he was very special to her.  Thank you, Father.

And, you should know that today is John Strong’s birthday.  He would have been 30 years old today.  Moe and John Strong are in our hearts, and yes, John Anstis, they are free.  Let’s celebrate the life of Maureen Anne Anstis!

Colleen Strong, Sister