My Speech at Lee's Service

Lee’s health decline came hard and fast and it caught all of us off guard. Lee was surprised that people would take the time to wish her well and while people did that she always showed concern for them. Lee believed that living and dying was not just about the individual but it was about the whole circle of friends, family and colleagues. When we realised she was in for a rough ride we made a decision to approach the process with gratitude and celebration. So when Lee was told “You have cancer” on March 2 we were grateful Lee had no pain and she continued to be pain free. What she experienced was shortness of breath. A cocktail of oxygen and drugs was the answer. Lee immediately mourned the loss of her working life, the cancellation of a U of St. Andrews masters level course, colleagues and cherished volunteers. She loved learning and she loved challenges and she loved relationships. Our 8 circle the wagons treasured friends stepped forward and agreed to walk through this whole experience with us. We could not have done it without you. And Lee loved to laugh at herself.

Lee had some secrets. About a week before she died I helped her settle into her big easy boy chair and asked if she wanted anything else. She said “I’d like a rum and coke” I didn’t think I heard her right. I said OK. I sent out an email to my circle and some neighbours and in short order Dan Dennis showed up fresh off the plane from Cuba with a 26 of rum and a case of Pepsi under his armpit. When I asked Lee later why I didn’t know she liked rum she reminded me that 20 years ago I made it quite clear to her I had no intention of being involved with an alcoholic as I had been there done that.  On the Saturday after she died a group of friends gathered at our home and I told this story. Her sisters piped up with more info. While Lee stayed in Regina during the week with them she enjoyed a rum and coke every night!!

I remember the day I came home with Mom and 2 sheep in Lee’s van one a black faced Suffolk and the other a Cheviot. I wanted to name them Diana and Fergie as I saw a resemblance. Lee wanted to name them Hey you and You too. We had to settle this. Lee always claimed she hated bread pudding. I figured she just had never eaten really good pudding like my Mom would make. I told her if she could eat bread pudding she could name them her names. Well she couldn’t swallow one bite. l

Lee did not have any kids of her own so took Sasha , Marisa and Claire under her wing. Lee’s downfall with this was that she could never understand Why? When it came to kids. Why did Marisa put silly putty in her armpit ? Why did Claire lock Marisa in the rabbit cage and then forget her there only to be rescued an hour later because Lee heard her screaming Get me out of here! As a parent I know there is often no suitable explanation for why. Lee never got that there’s no point even trying to figure it all out.

Lee was capable of swearing like a trooper especially when frustrated in the barn yard. I often heard her up at the house taking the Lords name in vein. She would get herself deep into trouble because she often bit too much off like replacing the hydraulic cylinders on the tractor, overestimated time like how long it would take to round up uncooperative sheep. Yet she had no end of patience when she did her chaplaincy work or re building her saddle. Her horseback riding provided a good balance for Lee with her work and I know she always felt close to her God when riding.

So now that I’ve shared some secrets let’s celebrate Lee’s life.