In Memory of Marie

Service of Remembrance

garylerude — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:17:06 +0000

Last night the family and friends of Marie gathered to honor her life and share memories.

The sanctuary at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua was full, a heart-warming reflection of how Marie touched so many lives, the embodiment of the pebble in the pond metaphor that Rev. Steve Edington used in the service.

Thanks to Steve, Cynthia Schroer, the Hospice Singers, and Jed Holland for the service, and to the book and covenant groups and other individuals who prepared the food for the time of fellowship following the service. It was good to hear laughter in the dining room, to help balance the tears and deep sense of loss we all feel.

If last night provided some closure, it also began a new and uncertain chapter for Henry, Zach, and Jon. But they will not walk the journey alone, as this community of friends has shown.

Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
- over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
— from Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Marie’s obituary

lorilerude — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:52:08 +0000

Marie’s obituary was published in today’s The Nashua Telegraph. You can read it here.

Henry, Zach, and Jon want everyone to know how touched they are by the outpouring of support.

Service of Remembrance

lorilerude — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:46:34 +0000

A Service of Remembrance for Marie Keifer will be held this Friday, November 6th, from 5:30-6pm in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua. Following the service, from 6-8pm, a reception/calling hours will be held in the adjoining Dining Room, sponsored by Marie’s UU Book Group and Covenant Group.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua is located at 58 Lowell St. across from Margarita’s Restaurant in downtown Nashua. Parking at Margarita’s (at east end of the lot, past the jersey barriers near BAE) is recommended due to limited parking on one way streets surrounding the church. The restaurant will be open for business and will tow non-patrons.

A sudden and tragic loss

garylerude — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:30:43 +0000

Sometime Thursday afternoon, Marie Keifer had a sudden and massive stroke. She died last night.

Words can’t adequately describe the shock and grief we feel, nor the deep concern and sympathy for Henry, Zach, Jon, and the extended family.

This blog is being created to help us all, to recount and capture our memories of Marie, to express our condolences to the family, to offer our assistance in the coming days and weeks, and to provide an efficient channel for the family to relay news and needs to this community.

Please actively participate by posting your thoughts, offering your services, and following the news.

Update

garylerude — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:05:35 +0000

Henry, Zach, Jon, and the extended family are at home now and working through all the arrangements that need to be made. We don’t yet know when the memorial service will be held.

Henry said he doesn’t mind calls, however don’t expect a long conversation. Understandably, he just doesn’t know what to say.

He would appreciate meals, so they don’t have to worry about cooking over the next few days and weeks. You can drop meals at the house; if no one comes to the door, just leave the meal in the basket on the front step.

A sign-up sheet for meals is posted as one of the links shown on the right-hand side of this page. This will allow us to better coordinate when and what everyone brings.

A flickr group for Marie has also been created, allowing us to post and share photos.