A Grand Lady.... A Great Couple

Christine and I were able to go to Aunt Medalou's Funeral Today.  It was a wonderful day of celebration for Medalou and Bob and their whole family.  I wanted to pass along some of the notes Chris and I took at the funeral for you if you are interested.    

 The funeral was held here at the Berg Mortuary Building, an official Utah historic site on Center St in Provo.  It was an elegant place for her funeral..so cozy, warm and beautiful inside, with gorgeous stained glass windows.   

Who was there:  Aunt Joanne, Uncle Ray, their daughter Chris Gunn.  Aunt Caroline and two of her daughters...I should know their names.  Uncle Richard and Aunt Joan, one of Aunt Elma's daughters was there(lives in Orem..should know her name)  and ofcourse the whole Bob Petty clan.   

Chris and I gave everyone hugs from all of you...especially Mom and Dad.  I hope they could feel the love of the Crowley family ...still want to send them all a card.

They began the funeral by telling about how Medalou always had a smile for everyone, even if she couldn't talk or didn't seem to know you.  But, then she had a stroke about three months ago and her smile was gone.  She said she wanted to go to her Mother and Father.  

Then last week, they gathered around her bed as her life was slipping away.  And when she did pass away, they all cheered for her..!  It is a celebration!  She lived a good, wonderful life.  

Jim Petty gave the life sketch told some great stories about how "tough" and adventurous his Mom was.  She never shrank back from any opportunity and looked at all things as a challenge!  She loved to ski and camp and do outdoorsy adventurous things.  She was a cub scout den mother for 7 years!  She was raised in Montana and Idaho and was a tough farm girl in some ways.  She was not afraid of toads and spiders and those things...she was a brave mother, one that every boy was proud of.   (in Jim Petty's own words)  

The three girls, Cynthia, Janice and Debra did something so cute.  All three stood up and told everyone more about their mother from a daughter's perspective.  They each wore a vintage outfit with some of their mom's jewelry.  They commented on their mother's great sense of style, how she was always well groomed, especially her eyebrows and the wearing of lipstick.  She had an eye for detail and made her home beautiful doing very nice things and always adding a bit of whimsy here and there. 

 They talked about her cooking, her degree in Home Economics, sewing of Halloween costumes, how she was sensitive to the needs of each of her children, how she made everything fun.  They spoke about her as an amazing cook and how adventurous she was in cooking and how she made food that not only tasted good but was always presented beautifully with lots of color...the presentation was so important!  She was just a wonderful, loving mother and wife in every way.  

She put together amazing birthday parties and made holidays so special.  

She taught them all to clean a house...they did their jobs and she inspected making sure they did a good job. 

She was a tutor for the prince of Saudi Arabia.  He loved her ..they had small display of some of his letters that he wrote to her.  

They had a display of the many missions and other adventures that Uncle Bob and Medalou went on.  

They talked about how she was on the board of community concerts or something or other like that and how she spent individual time with her children at these concerts.  

Doug told a funny story  how one time his mother asked him to do something and he answered in not so kind a way.   First he saw the hurt in her eyes and then the anger and he knew he was in trouble, so he headed out the back door and began to run for hislife.  He looked behind him and couldn't believe his mother was still coming after him, so he took off toward that  side park area next to their house.  He was running and his mom was running after him and he couldn't believe it.  Then he started to laugh.  She was wearing one of those skinny pencil skirts and was having a hard time running more than a waddle.  He laughed so hard, he tripped and fell down.  And suddenly she was upon him..He looked up into her face and saw that she was laughing too.   He got up and they walked back to the house arm in arm.  He never forgot this and always thought twice about how he treated others after that.    

His dad would say to the children, "live to bring honor to your mother."  

They treasure her because she treasured them and made home and family a priority in her life.  

She was solid in her testimony and served beside her husband in many capacities, in the London Temple twice, and in the Switzerland temple and then a lot in Saudi Arabia establishing the first branch there.  

They mentioned how she loved them as adults and allowed them to make their own choices and be their own people.  Even when she didn't agree, she still loved us and eventually we came back ..because she loved us. 

She sounds like our MOTHER!  They sound like our own Mother and Father.  And we love you Mom and Dad.

They were good, humble people.  

And, we can't forget that because of Aunt Medalou and Uncle Bob's courtship and marriage, Grandpa Petty found Whitefish!!!  And the rest is history they say....  especially for our family.  

One thing I didn't know....or forgot was that Uncle Bob and Aunt Medalou lost a baby.  Her name is Kathleen.  She was their first child and lived only three days.  About 18 years later, they were celebrating Mother's Day.  Cynthia was asked to say the prayer.  After the prayer Aunt Medalou said, "did you hear her? Did you hear her?"  She went on to explain that she had seen Kathleen a young woman with long brown hair in white robes who said in a mature voice, "don't forget that I too am part of your family."  She said that three times.  Aunt Medalou is with Kathleen now....  and what a sweet reunion that must have been.  

We met a man named Dave Olpin as we were chatting with people after the service. He told Chris and I that because of Uncle Bob his son went on a mission.  He explained that when the time came for his son to go on his mission, his business was failing and he didn't have the money to pay for the mission.  Uncle Bob heard about this and offered to pay for his son's mission.  He said, "Bob, how can I repay you?"  He said, "I don't want you to, just do the same for someone else when you can."  A few short years later, this man's business took off and he became very wealthy and has now sent 500 missionaries out of missions!!  He also said that ofcourse this story wouldn't be mentioned at the funeral because the Pettys weren't like that...instead they are quiet about their service to others, humble and unassuming.   They are an outstanding family. 

It was a sweet day.  I miss seeing all these great people.  Aunt Caroline looks just like Grandma Petty.  Uncle Richard reminds me of a brother I know.  Aunt Joanne looks so much like Mom.  It was a great little reunion.  And, I look forward to the big reunion in heaven.  That will be a great day.  Can you imagine it?  These people are just wonderful, quality people. And, I love to be around them.  

I love all of you....had to share ...

I have so many good memories of our time with the Petty cousins.  What are some of your's?    

I remember Thanksgivings, General Conference weekends, overlapping vacations at Whitefish,  Timp Lodge Thanksgivings....what great people!

Mom and Dad, we were thinking of you... but we know you are in the best possible place you can be and we are proud of you.