Early Sunday morning a very young lifelong family friend passed away peacefully in his sleep. No one really understood what happened only that Marjoe is now at peace. Today, Chad and I went to the visitation and consoled our lifelong family friends. Mary was our baby sitter for years, a fact she reminds us of quite frequently. Christie is a year younger that I so we were quite close growing up and worked together at Shaffer Value… now she lives in Buffalo, NY with her husband. I do not know the two boys as well as I would have liked but know that they were raised by a strong, God-loving mother. After marrying Victor, she inherited two additional adult girls to mentor.
Tuesday night, Megan and I went to see Date Night. Even I thought I was not totally myself. As always, I had a great time but Megan kept asking why I was so quiet. Only after I got home did I realize how much Marjoe’s passing had affected me. Never before have I realized how fleeting life is. Death knows no season; knows no age. We may question God’s choice in taking someone “too soon” but in reality he is in a much better place. Thirty one years… WOW!
Mary has always been and still is one of my favorite people. Not only was she able to raise 3 kids by herself, working in a factory to provide for them but she has always been there for everyone! And she herself was adopted at the age of five months by Ginny and Hinie… everyone’s grandma and grandpa. I still remember his Highness coming into the store looking for his Homemade brand cigars. My cousin, Christie, and I would always keep an eye out for him and hide them before he got in the door!
In 2005, Mary fulfilled a lifelong dream by having a book published of many of the poems she has written over the course of her life. God’s Rainbow and My Dream is not only a collection of her works but also autobiographical in nature illustrating her strong, tremendous faith. She also publishes an editorial in the town newspaper weekly.
So… although his life was too short… may Marjoe find peace in his new home.
I saw him in the paper and immediately knew that you would have known him. May you and his family have peace in grief.
VERY special family! Thanks!
My condolences. I pray for God’s comfort to the family, which He has started already through you and others (but by no means has finished).