Homily: Marjorie Crowe’s Memorial Service
By Pastor Dennis
13 October 1999
Several years ago, shortly after I had purchased my pager, I was taking a guitar lesson in East Windsor when I received a page. I went to the phone an answered the page — it was Marge. She asked if she was bothering me. I replied, "No, I was just finishing up a guitar lesson." She said with a sly smile in her tone, "Good. Please call me back later. And go back to practicing. You need it!" I hanged up the phone with a smile on my face.
At that point in time I believe I met a part of the true Marjorie Crowe.
From all accounts, and pieces of her life which I have heard, Marjorie did not had an easy life. But like so many of her generation, hardship did not give reason to complain and gripe. But hardships were endured and a person moved on with life.
Marge had no time to complain and gripe because she wanted to be happy. This could mean simply smiling, cracking a joke, or using a pun or a bit a sarcasm, Marge was going to let people know she was joyful. And she was going to try to make others joyful too.
The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5 — ". . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. "
We are not given full insight into the manner of God’s judgment. But we are given hints as to what God is looking from us. The fruits of the Spirit are key to the evidence of a mature relationship with Jesus. Marjorie not only had a bushel of joy, but she had the other fruits too. With as much assurance of any person’s eternal destiny we can know, Marge will live again in the Kingdom prepared by Christ.
Members of this church family have learned that I love to read biographies. Visiting with Marjorie was exciting because it was a biography lesson of this congregation. The joy Marge carried in her heart was the full and assured knowledge that she was not alone. She had a church family which cared for her. And she cared deeply for you. Her favorite topic of discussion was you. Yes, Marjorie was constantly talking about you behind your backs — but never, ever was their a word of malice, nor critical tone in her voice. She spoke of all of you; made inquiries about you always in tones of love and concern.
She spoke of her birthday and how Brooks would make brownies for her. She talked of golf with Glenn and Don. It was from Marjorie that I learned how Emeka during the worship services used to take charge of his brothers and sister. She often spoke of the children when Elaine brought the Western Gospel Production to Wintonbury Convalescent Home. Everyone could receive a compliment from Marjorie. Her life was filled with joy for this church family, and her friends.
Another fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. Part of being faithful is having hope. And Marjorie had hope in her heart. She had hope of a better life in eternity. And she always carried hope in her heart for a better life here. How many times did we all hear Marjorie say, "When my foot gets better, I am going to do this . . . I am going to do that."
Peace and Patience are some other fruits we saw in Marge. Vividly I witnessed this on display just two weeks ago as she waited in the emergency room of Hartford Hospital. Hours upon hours she laid there. No one was giving her any real answers concerning her condition. During all this she spent time talking to Gloria, Judy, and then to me there was not one complaint. She was so peaceful and patient, that at one point in our conversation she stopped herself mid-sentence, and told me she was going to nap. And with that she went to sleep for a half-hour. Everything would be worked out in the right time was her attitude.
Finally let me talk about the fruit of spirit which is first on the list — Love. It was not difficult to see Marjorie’s love for people, in general, and her deep love for this church family, specifically. I do not believe I am disrespecting anyone by saying that Marjorie’s special love was for Gloria.
Gloria, you have let it be known that you are proud that you are from the island of Jamaica. Well the lady born on Fishers Island, New York, loved the lady from the Island of Jamaica. You both ended up in living in Bloomfield and both ended up going to church in Hartford, and then here in South Windsor. But the most important location for Gloria and Marjorie is that they lived in each other’s heart.
Gloria, because of Marjorie’s health over the past several years her needs have been great. And you were there for her. Always. Period!
Gloria, I want to remind you of something — [you don’t mind if every one else listens, do you?] — I want to remind you — even though you both came from Islands; even though you both lived in Bloomfield; even though you both ended up going to church together in Hartford, and then here in South Windsor; and even though you lived in each other’s heart — I want to remind you that we all are going to share the same home again.
One day we are going to start to hear the faint tunes of a brass instrument. As the sound increases we are going to recognize the sound as the sound of a blowing trumpet. The sound of that trumpet will ring in our ears like a sweet melody and the source of that trumpet blast will then speak with love, power, and great authority, and Marjorie is going to hear that voice. Her tired broken body will be reformed and she is going to leap into the sky to thank our Lord.
Marge’s days with a walker are done. Pushing her wheel chair is through. Problem’s with her hip replacement are over. Those who sleep in Christ will be raised first. Marge is going to have a head start. When Marge awakes from her sleep we are going to have to chase her to catch up to her. This family she loved so much will gather together again. And we will rejoice in the fellowship of Christ’s amazing love and grace.