Monday, June 5, 2023
Dearest Alex Family:
I've been thinking of all of you all day today, sending you lots of love and kindness during this day of loss and heartbreak. A great light went out when your mom left us yesterday. Aunt Jean was such a force in the world - so strong, kind, giving, honest, authentic, loving - and so many more adjectives that just begin to scratch the surface of who she was and what she contributed to her family and the world. I can't describe what she meant to me throughout my life. She was the prime example of a loving mother, wife, neighbor and teacher to me.
She provided a safe haven and loving home-away-from-home when I was at Colby. The last time I saw her in person, in Maine at Uncle Joe's memorial, she said to me, "And, Becky, you just became part of our family when you came to Colby!"
And I remember seeing her and your dad together as a couple, still in love after so many years, when I was a teenager and thinking to myself, "That's the kind of marriage I hope I have someday."
Perhaps one of the greatest things I will always remember about my Aunt Jean is her acceptance of all people; her deep interest and curiosity in everyone and how this came through in her conversations and unconditional love. But most of all, I will always remember how she always started off the conversation with, "I am so blessed!" No matter what life threw at her, she felt gratitude. All of these parts of Aunt Jean are what I will always remember, carry with me in my heart, and try my best to emulate, and so, in that way, keep her spirit alive.
Much love to all of you,
Becky
