I was happy to be raised as the ninth of ten children here in Alpena. Our family started in the late 1930’s when my parents met, fell in love and married. They were committed to hard work because that is how they were raised. And if they were going to be happy and healthy, they would have to choose to be clear and awake to all that life would bring; and they also chose to see the glass half full.

My mom and dad’s choice of each other was divinely inspired as their individual lives were fed by their Catholic faith. Never a theological storehouse, they were raised and exhibited a deep faith in Divine Providence, they would have had to, after all, they had ten children!

A stay-at-home mom my mother worked feverishly and happily always faithful to the journey she and Dad embarked on. In those days a married woman could stay home and tend to the household and family. Today’s economy and societal values make a stay-at-home experience for females and males much more tenuous.

Although my dad was a truck driver and my mom was the Monday through Friday decision maker, they had an agreed upon division of labor and decision making borne out of living life and not set out in a book or learned in a class. Life was learning, and learning was life; this works, that doesn’t. Books (especially the Bible), and conversations would give input, but there is nothing like the lessons learned from the living experience. A bit of wisdom is contained in the adage, ‘Those who don’t learn from the mistakes of history are condemned to repeat them’. Thus, it is incumbent for us to go to the people and events of the past (near and far) and listen, read, and learn. Or we’ll waste precious time relearning a better way to live…and die. We, therefore, still consider my mother’s life and the graciousness of her passing that reteaches the wisdom of the ages.

At 67 years of age my hindsight, though not 20/20, involves better seeing, and indeed immense gratitude for the choices made by God and others that collectively have corralled me into a better place; especially the choices made by my mother.

At this point it is appropriate to consider some of my mom’s choices and attitudes in her 86 years of life, and how they affected my formation. Although my mother never went to school beyond eighth grade, she was very intelligent, and curious as well as wise. As an example, she never missed Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC giving us the nightly news. (not 24 hours) And she watched the Watergate hearings, and bemoaned President Nixon with more than a few expletives.

In her mid-twenties and having their three children watched by relatives Mom chose to visit my dad at boot camp in Georgia. My dad was drafted in the closing days of World War II. While there on a bus mother courageously gave up her seat to a pregnant black woman. This pretty young blond, white woman with a northern accent was then met with loud swearing by the white people on the bus, male and female. Although in a very dangerous situation, Mother stubbornly did not change her decision.

In 1973, we tragically lost my dad in a traffic accident. My dad was 58 and my mom was 54. She still had 4 children to raise. I was 15 … She never remarried, continuing their deep love from a distance until fully reunited with the love of her life, 32 years 93 days and about 11 hours later. The strength of her faith in God and in herself was seen that day; although deeply hurt and broken-hearted she never flinched in her resolve. Her tender trust loved us, as a family and as individuals, forward.

She always prayed, especially the Rosary. One of my older brothers was a Capuchin-Franciscan brother. His habit was adorned with a large Rosary that he wore daily. I don’t know if I saw the Rosary on my brother’s habit more than when I saw a Rosary in Mother’s hand. She prayed when she was alone or with somebody, whether awake or asleep; in other words, always. Other than grace at meals and in the responses at Mass her prayer was silent; conversations between her and God.

To conclude that my mother was a very strong woman is absolutely correct. She, too, was part of what Tom Brokaw called ‘The Greatest Generation’. I am sure many parents are described in the description of my mother and dad. Let us learn from the past …

February 14, 2026, is the 20th anniversary of Mom going to Heaven. The way she lived her life, and the way she was, there is no doubt in my mind, heart, and soul that she looks on the face of God and continues to watch over and pray for us kids and her ever-growing family. “Thanks, God, for my mother. I love you both…”