the loss of a great woman

As part of a psychology class segment on death, dying and loss, I had an assignment to write my own eulogy.

I would like to thank all present this afternoon. It brings me great pleasure to look out amongst this crowd and see so many kind and gentle faces. While I have been very close to dear, sweet, Mo for countless years now, seeing all of you gathered here today in this celebration of life truly warms my heart and reminds me of how many lives Mo touched.

Maureen Lynch Driscoll was born the second child of Charles and Elizabeth Driscoll, and was later the beloved child of her step-parents Michael Delay and Jennifer Driscoll. Maureen, or “Mo” as we playfully called her, is survived by all of her five siblings, Patrick, Christopher, Sean, Kyleigh and Molly. We are also joined today by her many loving children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. It seems like not long ago at all, indeed just last Spring, that we mourned the loss of her husband “Mr.Right” (Role yet uncast) and as terrible a loss as this has been, we can rest easily knowing that Mo and Mr.Right are now happily together again.

In this time of mourning it is easy to become preoccupied with saddening thoughts of loss. But as I know Mo would have encouraged, we must remember how even in this time of pain we are still capable of loving one another. When I recall Mr.Right’s final days I am moved to tears by my memories about how Mo gently cared for him day and night until he peacefully passed away, sleeping beside her in the home they had built together for their children and family nearly forty years before.

Witty and sharp well into her last days, even as Mo was dying she seemed more concerned with helping her children and family mourn the loss of her husband, than nursing to her own quietly ailing health. But this was Mo's way; always sensitive to the needs of those around her. For me, it is the memories of Mo’s inspirational grace, peace, and humanitarianism all throughout her life that still fill me with joy, and now ease my pain.

It may take me a great while to realize how much I miss Mo. First, I noticed her absence at the local shelter. A dedicated volunteer with our communities less fortunate and a pioneer advocate on behalf of the disadvantaged, I already wonder who could possibly fill her shoes. It is almost impossible to walk through this town and see a non-profit organization or social service agency which did not directly benefited from Mo’s tireless altruistic efforts.

Mo truly was the greatest worker for peace and social justice I have ever had the pleasure to know. But this fearless work ethic was one of Mo’s defining characteristics, and something we now see reflected in the many significant accomplishments of her prolific children.

Mo left us so many meaningful legacies, but one of my favorite has got to be her published writings. I cannot tell you how many times I have laughed myself nearly to tears reading and reareading her poignant memoirs about world travel, relationships, love, and life. Reading her books invited so many people, all the world round, to reflect deep within themselves and live fully. There is no doubt in my mind that today we are mourning the loss of a free and creative soul.

As you mourn the loss of this great woman, I hope you also celebrate the accomplishments of her life, and hold one another dearly and gently, as Mo would have wanted it that way. On behalf of Mo, I would like to thank you all of you so much for the love and laughter you gave to Mo’s in her living, and cherish dearly in her passing.