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Eulogy for Charlotte Staab Eulogist: Rev. Harold Porter Date: October 19, 200 3 |
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It has been said:
When you are young you get blamed
for wrongs you never committed. I don’t know how it was when Charlotte was very young – none of us were alive – but we all know that the virtues Charlotte possessed have been very real and constant throughout the 102 years of her life. Yes, with Charlotte, what you see is what you get. She was no pretense. I first met Charlotte a little over twenty years ago because she was a member of this church’s Pastor search committee. The committee asked to meet with us, so Betty and I flew down from Wisconsin and the meeting was held in Charlotte’s home. I remember that evening vividly – and some how she agreed with the committee to nominate me. She was gracious to us then and, there after, hers would be a home we were always welcomed in. True, Charlotte was the oldest member of this church, but more importantly she was an active and supportive member during those 67 years. She served God through this family of faith in countless ways. It is noteworthy that in 1945, when this church for the first time in its history elected women to the Board of Deacons, Charlotte was in its first class. She would be elected to that board to seven three year terms. The word Deacon means one who serves and she certainly did. She also served on the Board of Trustees and taught as well in our church school. During my tenure as Pastor and before, Charlotte was the financial recording secretary. This was no easy task, recording by hand all the offerings by each member and giving each person their receipts and providing envelopes for all. She did this meticulous and as the church grew it became a substantial effort. It was only a few years ago that she ended this task and, you know, it took a computer to replace her. But, that of course, was less charming. Everyone who knew her was captivated by that certain radiant look she had. No one can deny that Charlotte was outspoken but you wouldn’t give her the more strident label as opinionated. What I have always liked about her was that she was always up-front with me, as with others, about her concerns. I know personally that no pastor ever satisfies everyone. But Charlotte knew that and could live with that because she always could see the whole picture beyond her own private desires. But how often would I hear from her, “Dr. Porter, I want to have a talk with you!” And year after year we had our little private sessions and she told me openly and frankly what was on her mind – in the similar straightforward way she did during the time of the joys and concerns during our worship services. What I really appreciated was that having gotten her concerns off her chest, or asking the questions that she needed answered, she then would be satisfied. She never tried to be divisive. She only wanted things to go well and she never wanted to prevent that, only to help. No one loved this church more or sought to increase its mission and effectiveness as a church of Jesus Christ. But openly outspoken she was. I remember once asking another member what her first encounter with Charlotte was. The woman replied that she had just become an elder and had assisted in the worship service. She said that after the service Charlotte said to her, “You know dear, I think your dress was little too short!” She said this with a touch of sweetness but that did not mellow her candid objection – and she said this to a person, I know she admired, as did we, Camilla Warrick. But Charlotte was always a pleasant parishioner to visit. She enjoyed the company and I know that for you who did visit her, you received more that you gave. Charlotte was born in the first year of the 20th Century. Just think about how many dramatic changes in our society she witnessed. Of course, many of these changes may not have always been welcomed but, again, what was good about Charlotte she didn’t live in the past. Truthfully, her life was not easy but by hard and frugal living she always made the most of it. Eventually she owned and operated her own business, the Queen City Cleaning Service. She lived most of her life alone until after her 100th birthday. Her father died when she was young and, after her mother died, there was no immediate family but certainly there were many loyal friends. I like what Bette Davis, the movie star said. “Old age is not for sissies.” How true! And, you know, that’s even harder for those who live alone. But Charlotte was no sissy, but a gallant lady of courageous faith – a genuine person that we all found so easy to love. I suppose Charlotte’s age, so far out ahead of most of us, made her more special, but not really. She was really precious all along. She indeed was young at heart, had a tidy soul, and she was hardly wasteful of the resources of her life. Her last act of stewardship was to donate her body to the University Medical School for what ever worth it could be to them. Many of you have told me about the calls you would get from Charlotte, and especially about a caring note you would receive from her – and she was doing this even up to a few months ago. Frugal as she was, those notes always came from cards she had herself received which she re-cut and pasted and recycled into messages of love.
A couple of years ago, having had
surgery myself and, on one of those down days wondering why I wasn’t
yet able to dance about, I received such a card. It read, “O,
Dr. Porter: The church bulletins have been telling me you aren’t up
to par. Are you rushing your healing? Remember you ain’t as young
as you once were. Hugs, in absentia,
Charlotte.” It
was just what I, or anyone else, needed. The last time she called me she said that “you don’t have to hurry my funeral, just find a good time when all my friends can be there.” Well, we are here, Charlotte, and we hope you are feeling our “Hugs, in absentia.” Yes, thanks be to God for the signature of Charlotte’s soul. Amen. Rev. Harold Porter
Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church
October 19, 2003 |
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Eternal God, Creator and Sustainer of Life,
We gather in your name and give you thanks for this day.
We are grateful that we can meet here in this space so loved by our friend, your servant, Charlotte, to remember her and to share in mourning and in celebration.
We are grateful for your gift of life, its beauty and its challenges.
We are humbled and inspired as we reflect on one life, a life of service and dedication.
We praise you and give thanks for your spirit that sustained Charlotte through a long life, and will sustain us all through the measure of our days.
We are grateful for all gathered here who were touched by our friend’s spirit, your spirit, through her teaching, her service, her companionship.
We give you thanks for the ministries of love and justice that brought Charlotte to this church nearly seventy years ago, that attracted her to serve, that comforted her through life’s challenges, and that embraced her with the fellowship and love of Christ.
And, we give you thanks for our memories and for the time we were privileged to spend with one who was pure in heart and who trusted valiantly in you.
Alleluia.
Amen |