In Loving Memory...Reva Maxine Moulton Owen Webb

It is a hard thing when your Mom dies.  The Mother's Day after she left us was a rough one.
 
I don't think one is ever really prepared for the death of a parent. Even though she had been on Hospice care for 14 months, I don't think you are ever "ready" to say "good-bye".

Born 92 years ago, Mom completed her earthly mission on April 24, 2015. 

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:21)
 

Yes, it helps to to know I will have the warm, loving memories forever, but there are crazy things that pop into your mind at odd moments  to remind you that she is gone from this earth.

The nine children of James and Maxine Owen, youngest to oldest.

It was a great blessing that six of her nine children were able to be there as she "crossed over".  That Friday afternoon we were able to Facetime in siblings who weren't able to be at her bedside.
We sang hymns and watched as the physical body shut down and the spirit left her frail body at 12:08 p.m. on April 24th.
Was it chance that it just happened to be my sister, Louise's, birthday?  As primary caregiver, Louise was relieved of her heavy responsibility as a gift from her mom.

David and Michelle Owen.

Mom had pre-arranged a funeral plan with the MacDougal Funeral Home many years ago.  She also requested that there be only a graveside service.   "No funeral" she said, but the children all decided it was a gathering that the family needed.  It turned out to be a great Owen Family Reunion and one that Mom didn't have to organize.

It is a difficult thing to get pictures when there are so many different photographers!

One card I received counseled:

In times of tears, remember the laughter,

In times of sadness, remember the smiles,

In times of loneliness, remember all you shared.

The display at the funeral home.

It was wonderful to see how all the family members worked together to get the many details taken care of:

• the phone calls and emails to extended family
• the travel arrangements to gather family
• the obituary for newspaper and mortuary website
• the grave opening at the cemetery
• the etching on the stone
• the slide show at the viewing
• the photo display
• the flowers
• the dressing and makeup
• the printed program
• the musical numbers
• the talks, the grave dedication, the family prayer
• the pavilion
• the luncheon
• the thank you's
• the cleaning out of the house 
• the legal notifications 

A loving Heavenly Father took good care of the weather and Saturday, May 2nd was a glorious day in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Maxine was buried by the side of her husband, James Austin Owen.

Mom is buried near her own mother and father, Lillian and Hyrum Moulton.

The amazing thing was that all nine of her children were able to be there!  Thanks to Ralph's children, he was escorted from Washington to Utah and able to join the rest of us for a very memorable day.
 

It has now been three weeks since Mom's passing and two weeks since the funeral.  The flowers I brought home from the funeral have almost all faded.  It is still hard to think that Mom isn't still there at her house waiting for us to stop by and visit.

 It was a great Family Reunion on May 2nd but I think there was an even better reunion that took place in the spirit world on April 24th.  It had been 36 years since Maxine saw Jim alive.  Of the eleven Moulton siblings, six were there to greet Mom.

The great-grandchildren sing a Primary medley.

Our family can be "together forever" because of the merits and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ.   We know the death is not the end of our relationship with this grand woman.   How we praise His holy name in providing a great Plan of Happiness.  Mom knew she was going "home".

Mother's Day this year was one week after Mom's funeral.   Nine children, 2 husbands, 56 grandchildren, and 68 great grandchildren: that's quite a legacy of love.   Thanks, Mom, for your unconditional love.  We hope to follow your faithful example.

Character Traits of 12 More Ancestors

Character Traits of 12 more Ancestors

Because I am on a roll, here are 12 additional character trails of 12 more ancestors.  Details about these family members can be found in other blog entries as well.

Service-John Griffiths
For fifteen years John Griffiths walked all over Lancashire County, England spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was the President of the Rose Park Branch for 15 years.  Then the PEF (Perpetual Emigration) Funds became available and they moved with many in the branch to become part of the Martin Handcart Company.  He lost his two sons on the trek and died the day after arriving in Salt Lake Valley.  His two daughters survived him, both faithful to the end. 

Education-Max Leslie Weiss
Max grew up in a home where education was important.  He did well in high school and went to college first at Princeton, graduating in Math Science.  He obtained his Master's Degree at Cornell. He did further graduate work at Reed College in Portland, Oregon and then received his Doctorate at the University of Washington.  He worked at the University of California at Santa Barbara for many years as an outstanding math professor and as Provost. 

Activism-Ralph Eugene Owen
Alcoholism had destroyed the family of Walter Bruce Owen. Ralph had to protect his mother from his alcoholic father.  His mother eventually divorced her abusive husband in 1909 because of "the bottle."  As a direct result of observing his father's addiction, Ralph joined the Anti-Saloon League and went around the country trying to teach about the evils of alcoholism.  


Sacrifice-Reva Maxine Moulton Owen Webb
She instantly became a "nurse" when her 31 year old husband had polio. Maxine would travel by bus to the Veterans Hospital to feed her husband while he was in an iron lung.   She worked to help him through Chiropractic School in Portland.  She later became the office manager and insurance biller during the days at Willamette View Chiropractic Center.  She was the legal transcript composer and always supported her husband in his "freedom fight".  She was the unofficial general contractor of building a home in Leeds, Utah.  She returned to her role of nurse and ran the dialysis machine in Leeds.  She acted as an editor to help her second husband publish his writings.  She brought into the world nine children who honor her for her many sacrifices during her 93 years on earth.  

Hope-Marilyn Ballegooie Weiss
Marilyn was clinging to "hope" for many years.  She raised her family with good values.  She supported her husband as he grew his business.  After 40 years of marriage, her divorce caused her to look to her own spiritual growth.  She prepared to receive her endowments in the Portland Temple.  She served faithfully in the Relief Society.  She always hoped for greater happiness and contentment. 

Teaching-James A. Owen
Jim frequently found himself as "the teacher".  He taught in the Army Radio school during WWII.  He taught seminary for 3 1/2 years in Burley, Idaho.  He taught as a Stake missionary in two different stakes.   Frequently he was called to teach the Gospel Doctrine classes.  He loved to teach the nine children in his family and besides regular Family Home Evenings, he held special "Ask Gospel Questions" sessions with his children on Sunday afternoons.

Desire to Learn-Clarissa Dean Chase Weiss
Claire was married at 18 years of age.  She was always a great student and extremely well read in the classics.  She loved discussing philosophy and took great pride in her ancestry, especially being related to one of the Mayflower Pilgrims (John Alden) and the early LDS pioneers of 1847 (Isaac & Phebe Chase).  She encouraged her three children in their pursuits:  her daughter who became a school teacher, her first son who became an inventor and businessman, and her youngest son in his academic pursuits.  

Hard Work-Ida Ellen Fish Owen
Ida was left as a widow in 1938 after being married to her husband, Ralph, for 19 years.  She started a boarding house for students and later worked as a cook at the Weslyan University to support her family.  She moved from Nebraska to Oregon to be closer to her two children. 


Cheerfulness-David Simon Weiss
Dave was a great salesman because people liked being around him.  His native cheerfulness made people happy.   He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.  He enjoyed sailing, flying, and restoring his 1941 Packard.  His playful personality endeared many to him and he was well respected in the RV Industry and among those he worked with the in the Boy Scouts of America.  
 
Spiritual-Annie Wahrhaftig Weiss
Hannah (Annie) was a devout Jew.  As an Orthodox Jew, she found it difficult to live on the frontier away from a synagogue.  When she came to America, she was uncomfortable until she lived in the City of the Great Salt Lake and could attend the newly built Montefiore synagogue during the High Holy Days. Her husband worked in Vernal and commuted by train to his home in Salt Lake City. 

Being a Helpmeet-Hannah Eastman Clegg
Hannah was the mother of two sons.  In faith she crossed the ocean with her husband, Henry Clegg and anticipated the joyful day when she would gather with the Saints in Utah.  Unfortunately, her journey ended near Mormon Grove in Kansas where she died of cholera.  Her young son was buried in her arms. 


Devotion to God-Phebe Owen Fish
Phebe was one of the founding members in the Liberty Church in Norman, Indiana.
She loved singing from the old Methodist hymnal and did until her death.  She was a gardener and kept a lovely garden. She was loved and respected by her neighbors and family.