This was the eulogy I posted on Facebook: Ken Williscroft’s Mom, Lorraine, died Friday morning …sad day…lovely, wonderful woman…I loved her sense of humor and her dry wit…Her stories of earlier times and her opinions about the events of the day were always refreshing. (We didn’t always agree, mind you!) She was a straight shooter; which I always admire and try to be myself. I truly loved getting to know her over the past 8 and a half years. Lorraine was willing to listen to me talk about my problems…not always offering advice, but always reminding me that patience most often wins the race.
Lorraine also had a deep impact on my family. My girls, .Allison Davidson and Amber Davidson , enjoyed our family dinners and think the world of both Jim and Lorraine. Their sense of humor and stories also amused and delighted our daughters. (I say ‘our’ because Ken thinks of the girls as his daughters, without hesitation and wholeheartedly…one of the reasons I love him so much!) Our granddaughter Jade will really miss being spoiled by Great-grandma Williscroft. She was always excited to know we were going to visit. Ken loved showing Jade off to his Mom because they now had moved into a new stage of Mother and Son Bonding…. a bond as grandparents.I know Jade will continue to bring joy into Jim’s life because our family dinners will continue, just as you would have wanted, Lorraine!
Ken and I are especially grateful to have held our wedding in time for Lorraine to be there. Unbeknownst to me, Lorraine had been prodding Ken to marry me for the past 2 years or so. Then, when Lorraine fell ill so unexpectedly, Ken was moved to ask me to marry him in his Mother’s presence at the hospice. I asked him if it was for “real”…that he wouldn’t renege as soon as Lorraine passed away! At that point Lorriane piped in saying, “No, he won’t. I would really like to be there for your wedding.”
And, so, on Oct 17, 2015 just 10 days later and 13 days before her passing, Ken and I were married at the Southwood Hospice so his Mom could be there. She told me it was one of the happiest days of her life! I told her I felt the same way…not just because I was marrying the love of my life, but because she had helped it to happen! (In fact, I said so at the ceremony, to Lorraine, in front of all the guests!) And, even though Lorraine was dying; and, even though I only had 9 days to pull my first and only wedding “off”; and, even though I was married in black so I could wear my wedding dress to the funeral; I had one of the best days of my life. The joy was everything.
To know my husband’s Mama, his defender-to-the-end, totally had my back and showered blessings upon us was a wonderful gift. Thanks Lorraine. We will miss you and think of you often. If you get the chance, look up my Dad, my Grandmas, my Aunties and my Grandpas. I think you’ll get a kick out of my family on the Other Side. Maybe as much as you did with the ones still here!
Addendum: Jim, Ken and I are praying for peace of mind for you in the coming days and weeks. We know how much you’ll miss your wife of 63 years…actually we can only imagine because that is a lifetime of companionship! We both want you to feel free to spend as much time with us as you need or want. We want family dinners to continue and the occasional prime rib dinner at the casino to still be a favorite outing. We hope to have many more sports games to watch and for Jade to keep on enjoying your company.
