Do you need an obituary or eulogy  written in a limited amount of time? I have 20+ years experience as a writer and offer this service with excellent rates. Please get in touch via milnerwriting@gmail.com (monitored for new emails with notifications enabled) or at 506 639 3738 (Cell/Text).

Provided here is an obituary written for a client within 24 hours:

Portrait of a Life

Karen Smith

 

If you knew Karen Smith, then you will not be surprised that we have already celebrated her life.

 

When Karen found out that the cancer ravaging her pancreas was terminal, she spent her remaining time planning and throwing a memorable party where she could enjoy the company of her family and friends one more time. Her philosophy was always – ‘Why come to my funeral? Make time to visit with me when I am alive!’

 

So it came to fruition that three short weeks ago, we all gathered to share joyful reminisces, look through photos of days gone past, and sat down to a delicious dinner - with Karen at the centre of it all.

 

This past Tuesday, May 6^th, was Karen’s last day with us. She passed quietly just at twilight but the welcoming she received when she passed on was surely celebratory beyond imagination with the harmony of choruses sung by the Angels.

 

Our broken hearts at her loss will be mended knowing that she is free of the pain that kept her from doing the many things she loved and that her soul lives on for an eternity. We will all continue moving forward with Karen watching over us.

 

Karen graduated from Mount Garrauount High School and went on to earn a degree in business administration. She spent the entirety of her working life with BLK Communications climbing her way from a receptionist to the head of human resources.  

 

She championed the importance of respect between co-workers and made it a priority to settle workplace conflicts expeditiously which often required accommodations for those involved.

 

Outside of her employment, she continued her talent for dispute resolution whenever an issue arose. Her advice was always appreciated and she used ‘common ground’ to develop her many personal relationships. Karen carried no prejudices and always went by the adage, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.’

 

Karen’s life was chronicled by her many adventures shared with family and friends. From her senior high school year class trip to New York City to the many vacations with her husband and children, Karen was far from a home body. Visits to places nearby her home as well as overseas gave her a chance to experience how the locals live. When she was still single, her and her traveling companions would usually forgo the usual organized excursions and set off on their own to explore the area. She said the locals always knew where to find the best restaurants and the phenomenal hidden gems.

 

Both her family and friends were the building blocks she used to create an extended support system that was important as she faced her last few months in excruciating pain and the weakening of her physical and mental abilities.

 

Karen leaves behind a memory of her in the heart of everyone she loved. These remembrances will get them through the tough times ahead.

 

We thank each person who made Karen’s final days comfortable. We will not post a list identifying you all as we would surely forget to include someone.

 

Left here to carry on her legacy is her husband of 48 years, Kevin, and her children, Amanda (Gregory Townsend) and Alexander (Orillia). She also leaves her sister, Maryann (the late Shawn Cavet) and her brother, Curtis (Susanna) and their children, Rory and Lacy Townsend and Sara Cavet.

 

Karen’s family that went on before her time were her parents, George and Mabel Garnett, her infant sister Diana along with several aunts, uncles, and extended family members.

 

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held June 6^th at 2:00 PM, Fairfield Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow at The Gathering Place on Rosewood Avenue.

 

 Would you like to write your own obituary/eulogy where you choose the last words left for your loved ones after you pass? As a writer with over 20 years experience I can help with this task. Please get in touch via milnerwriting@gmail.com (monitored throughout the day with notifications enabled) or via cell/text using 506 639 3738. 

Here is a eulogy I penned for a client: 

Adieu

By: Katherine Watson

 

        If my beloved granddaughter, Grace, is reading this memoir aloud then I have seen my last tomorrow. This is my final journal entry, my own eulogy, saving everyone the anxiety of figuring out what to say now that I have passed on to whatever comes next.

        My promise to every one of you, given at different times – I could not vow that I would be here for the rest of your life, but I pledged to be here for the rest of mine.

        I knew five months ago that the diagnosis of Glioblastoma would ensure that I would not live to comb my grey hair. Please understand that I did not share this with you earlier as I wanted the time I had left to be normal and without my loved ones starting to grieve before my time here was over. Before my symptoms became most troubling, I did give you time to say your last words before I slipped into a coma then gently drifted away.

        Instead of plying you with memories of our time together, I will share only a couple where we were all together and decidedly not at a funeral or wedding. Words of wisdom and advice that were present throughout my life here is a better way, I think, to say my farewell.

        It was July 22^nd, 2015 and we were all enjoying our family reunion. Planning that special weekend was made all the more sweet because everyone who wanted to be there were able to attend. Those five days filled with BBQs, playing washers and horseshoes along with the entertainment of you all belting out your favorite tunes via karaoke made memories, well documented with photos and videos, that will last all of you a lifetime.

        On September 1^st, 2019, we were able to pull off another reunion where our family and friends spent a magical 10 days at Disney World. We put on a lot of miles park-hopping, enjoying shows and rides inside air-conditioned buildings, and were even able to score two nights where all of us could eat together. It has warmed my heart to look at all of the photos taken by Disney photographers. They truly documented our Disney adventures so we didn’t have to see one another from behind a camera lens. I am sure you all remember and smile, or even giggle, when you think about the epic water blaster competition that took us in and out of the resort. It was awesome that the staff left everyone one of their own to soak their opponents.

        Over my years as a resident on this planet, I have learned a lot about our species when it comes to being a happy and productive citizen. As well, I have taken advice, given in kind, that has made life easier and more enjoyable. Here, I give you bits that I have used that made me a better person in addition to helping me become acclimatized to this often challenging time we have here on earth.

When you are pregnant, don’t find out if it will be a boy or a girl. There are few surprises that are truly fun so take advantage of this one. You know it is going to be a boy or a girl so wait until the moment of their birth to find out. It makes the birth exponentially more exciting! Sure you can have a much anticipated ‘reveal’ party, but make the balloons and cake yellow and tell everyone they will find out whether it is a boy or a girl when you give birth.

Please do not practice what John Steinbeck described as ‘inactive kindness’. When you tell someone you will be there if they need you or that you will visit more often, make good on those commitments. Many times, people already have an excuse ready, in regards to why they can’t help, before they are even called on for their assistance. Consider your priorities carefully and reorder them if needed. Being there when someone calls on you trumps the errands you were planning to do that day or the two hours you were going to spend reading.

Always engage your brain before you speak – in any situation. You can apologize for saying words, but they can never be unsaid. Also, note that the phrase ‘forgive and forget’ is inaccurate. You can always forgive someone but you can’t forget what they did.

Be careful of what makes its’ way into your brain. You cannot ‘unsee’ an atrocity shown in an online video nor can you ‘unhear’ a blood-curdling scream in an intense horror movie.

Give your loved ones ‘unconditional love’ and guard their secrets. Everyone needs someone in their life that they can trust that will not turn their confidences into gossip. Be that person.

I will conclude with a bible verse, poem and, song that you can use to help you through your grief – yes THROUGH your grief. There is no way around allowing yourself to grieve. You cannot outrun it as it will be nipping at your ankles no matter how fast you run away. Let yourself heal both mentally and physically as grief can drain you of energy and rob you of sleep. Look forward, not back, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

My faith is strong and I am there, just beyond the veil – nudging you forward when life gets tough, perched on your shoulder and stroking your cheek when tears flow, and being your best cheerleader from the other side.

Until we meet again…

From the Bible, Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

A beautifully written poem by Mary Lee Hall:

 

Turn Again to Life

 

If I should die and leave you here a while

be not like others – sore, undone – who keep

long vigils by the silent dust and weep.

For my sake – turn again to life and smile,

Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do

something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.

Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine

and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

 

A song to get you through those hard times:

 

Be Not Afraid

John Michael Talbot

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr4udSiEew