July 16, 2014

Dear Tom and family,
 
It’s mid-July and little more than a week after Aunt Kitty’s funeral. I like to share
some of my thoughts about Aunt Kitty that I didn’t share that day.
 
In case you didn’t know, Aunt Kitty was a loving and good friend to my mother. As you do know, she was a very
loving, caring Aunt to my children Elissa and Ross, with whom she relished their conversations in person, over the phone,
and in writing. 
 
Aunt Kitty made a person feel like you were the only person in the room and I think, everyone in a room felt that way.
Elissa described so beautifully, in her loving and moving tribute last Monday, how she felt in her presence,
with Aunt Kitty’s unique expressions of acknowledgement, love, and joy. Aunt Kitty deeply loved both my children. 
 
Over the past 15 years or so, I came to know Aunt Kitty, not only as a deeply religious person, but also as someone who was highly spiritual. Sometimes, during our conversations she’d grapple with the mysteries of life, with the idea of…‘not knowing.‘ I loved hearing her thinking about it. “Human beings are often, she would say…‘in mystery.”  
 
Aunt Kitty noted that if she reacted, at those times, “with fear and anxiety and impatience or arrogance,” she’d find herself “in trouble.”   “I’ve learned to always, think think think,” she would say with emphasis, “about what to do.” I never really knew if she was teaching me or talking about herself. 
 
Having grown closer to Aunt Kitty over the past 15 years or so, I discovered, valued, and loved her refreshing, clear-eyed way
of looking at life – both the joys and sufferings. Once in the summer of 2010, she observed, “my intention is to live my life in purpose. That’s what I want. I’m not ready to die yet. I need my brain to work, I need it to keep learning…” She was 95 years old. 
 
“…because I have more to do…to give. We are truly happy when we give. We’re not in this world to take. This happiness is inside you. It’s not about  things you buy or own. You know this, but we forget. That happiness is momentary – the pleasure of something new.”  
 
Aunt Kitty also talked of Gratitude and Treasure: “I want to feel good. I feel good. Thank you for making me feel good,” she’d say.           “Thank you for the treasure of feeling good.”  
 
”Treasure each person you love,” she’d instruct me. “Spiritual energy is your life. You are spirit. Spirit is in you. In each of us. When we feel fearful, unhappy, or depressed we are disconnected from our Source. When we’re disconnected too long we become sick.” 
 
It was November 15, 2011. When I called that  afternoon, Aunt Kitty just got back from mailing a letter and said, “tomorrow morning I leave early to volunteer at the Mennonite Relief Center to prepare kits where people stitch material and sew them into bags. These bags are for pencils, composition books for needy students to use for school. Hundreds of these get sent overseas. We also bind quilts. There are farming people in this country who can’t work their farms anymore and have no income. I was once in a position in my life where I had no money. Nothing, but I stayed close to God. I had no money in the bank. I know what it is not to have.” she said, “…and I feel so good doing this work.”
 
Aunt Kitty just got back from a xmas party shortly before I called. That was December 2012. She said “ this year was most fun.” She loved singing and told me that singing lifted her vibrations…and then she broke out in song…God’s wisdom lives in me, God wisdom lives in me, radiating through each soul God’s wisdom lives in me” (to the melody ‘farmer in the dell.’)
 
This past January (2014) Aunt Kitty asked if I knew that everyone [where she lived] called her… Smiley.? “No I didn’t,” I said. “It started with one person,” she explained, …“then others did it too.” Some people asked her, “Do you smile when you’re sleeping? And she said to me… “I’m doing it for me too. I’m human, and am sad about somethings, but I don’t want to spread sadness. So I smile. I smile for you…and I smile for me. When I leave here i like to think they will remember my smile.” Hers was a radiant smile that lit up a room. I think we’ll all remember Aunt Kitty’s smile, don’t you?

July 09, 2014

Dear Tom and Family, 
         I am sorry I was unable to get to either services as I  had hoped , I had a letter I wanted to share with you as I thought about how much of an insperation Catherine was and how meaningful her life truly was towards everyone. ..she loved getting written letters. ….so I guesss you can say this is my final letter for you Catherine. …
                                       I Thank You Catherine. …..                                                                     For your faithfulness towards our Heavenly Father. ….For your Trustworthy friend ship. …For your kind hearted spiritual life. ….For your BIG sweet loving, gentle heart. …For your BIG BRIGHT SMILE. ….For your everyday perky laughter. ….For your encouragement and words of advice that was so dear……For your guidence and support and love you gave daily without hesitation. …For your patience and understanding when we would run out  of your favorite baked oatmeal  and you woke up early just to get it…..For the joy and excitement you would get when you knew we hsd Mint Choc. Chip IceCream…….For you gettting your hair done everyweek to keep that youthfulness instilled in you so that I to this day tell my mom  that no gray hair you will get your hair done just like Catherine did and feel and stay youthful ……lol.. For just being an AMAZING lady,  God has brought you into my life and expecially My daughter’s cause for your guidence and encouragement is why she will start her second semester in Nursing school this fall,,,,Catherine I was honored and thankfull to have gotten to know you and take care of you and love you with my whole heart ,,,, I will miss you but God has you in his arms now and I will keep you in my heart forever. Your loving Friend,                                                                                                                         Andrea…..

July 05, 2014

 
To the Stringas and Jones families.
Were so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Mother, Mother-in-law, and YiaYia. I will alway  rememberOur Love, thourghts her beautiful smile and personality when I saw her at the Mennonite Home at lunch time after church 1 1/2 weeks prior to her passing.  
Our Love, Thoughts, and Prayers are with you at this time.
May your Mother’s memory be eternal
Carl and Mary McCluune
 

July 04, 2014

To the family of dear Catherine,
I moved into Woodcrest only last October, but became acquainted with your mother shortly after moving there.   I enjoyed spending time with her and listening to remininsence about her time living in New York.   She was a delight to know with an infectious smile.   what a treasure and I will remember her.   May you find peace at this sad time in your life.    Peggy Hanzelman

July 02, 2014

Dear Tom and family,
Catherine was so special to all of us at Woodcrest Villa! I will miss her precious smile and cheerfulness! She tried so hard to teach me how to do the cha-cha-cha! Her spirit was infectious! Our love and sympathy!  Nan Rush

July 02, 2014

I work at Mennonite Homes in food service & was blessed to have known Catherine. She was such a joy to be around, always happy, and in great spirits. She will be sadly missed.
LuAnn Royer

July 02, 2014

Dear Tom,
This is Phil Heesen of B 414 who has lived a few doors up the corridor from your mother’s apartment for the last five years.  I want to tell you how much I will miss her cheerful smile and uplifting words inspired by her deep Christian faith.  I am sure that Catherine is now smiling down from heaven on you, her ever attentive and loving son.  She will be looking after you for the rest of your days from her heavenly home where one day you shall be together with her for always. 

July 02, 2014

Wishing your family that our Lord blesses yuor  family with peace and comfort during the loss of a beautiful, Mother and Grandmother.  May her memory be eterntal.
Family of Stella Mountis-Saxinger