We are here this morning with mixed feelings and emotions. On the one hand we are filled with sorrow and grief because one whom we had known and loved and who has meant so much to us has died. On the other hand we are filled with thanksgiving. We are grateful for the many qualities which Wendy displayed in her life. We are thankful for her long life, we are grateful for all that she meant to each one of us here. We are grateful too that for Wendy illness and suffering has come to an end and now she is at peace.

If you love someone, not only should you show it but you should also tell them as well. Last Monday I told Mrs. Swan she was "a wonderful and gracious lady". Her response was "If only I could believe you". I think we can believe it, for it is only what everyone else says - that Mrs. Swan was "a perfect lady" and a wonderful mother.

Wendy Swan was brought up in England in a family with all long tradition of service, for both her father and grandfather were clergy. In her young days she had practical experience of caring for the parish poor in the times before the advent of social services prior to the second world war

She also went to live in Sudan in the early 1930s where she experienced the hardships of Africa including being separated from her husband for the seven years duration of the second world war.

She told me that she had led an adventurous life including riding camels in Sudan. When I expressed misgivings about this form of transport she said "Mr. Kingston are you not an adventurous person? " My response was - I like to think so, but I draw the line at camels.

Her quality of life had become diminished for at least the last four years as she became confused, and was unable to enjoy her many interests. Yet she was very patient throughout. For the last two years she experienced great care and attention in Quarry Banks Nursing Home Carlingford were she was greatly admired and held in great affection. She never complained, she never asked for anything.

The last few months have not been easy ones for Wendy as she gradually grew weary of life. We are thankful for all the nursing care which has been shown to Wendy by the staff in Carlingford right to the end. We have all benefited from her friendship. We remember Wendy with much gratitude and express our sympathy to her sons LAURENCE and MARCUS daughter in law ANNA grandchildren TRISTAN and ALICIA and all the family circle who cared so much for her.

Three words sum up her life. Wendy was gracious, generous and genuine. She was a gracious lady who was always interested in what was going on and had a loving concern for family and friends.

Wendy was a lady of genuine christian faith which was expressed in the ordinary things of life. She was a person of vision, tolerance and wisdom. She only had good to say about her neighbours and equally they only had good to say about her. She was also generous in her outlook. She had a breadth of outlook and one special gift - she never gossiped about anyone. We thank God today for this wonderful and gracious lady and for a long life well lived.

Now we are met to take our leave of one who has been so much a part of our lives. As we do so, how will we leave this service? Will it be with heavy hearts, with sadness and grief? In part the answer will be yes - for those are all human reactions and human experiences from which we are not exempt. Yet I hope we will leave this time of worship with the sense of confidence, well being and peace as well. For we have come to worship the Almighty and Eternal God who was also the God and Father of Jesus Christ and who is our Father too.

EVA LILY RAWSON 1905 - 2002

Today marks the end of one life and the beginning of another! It is a sad occasion and yet one of thanksgiving as well.

The last few years have not been easy for Lily as she encountered deteriorating health and increasing deafness and was not able to do those things which she would have liked. For some while she has felt weary, more recently she has been poorly with the frailty and weakness of old age. Even so, there were the good and memorable days when we have been rewarded with Lily’s marvellous smile and that glorious twinkle in her eyes.

And during this time she has been upheld by her Christian faith, by the care and love of those around her and those who nursed Lily with so much devotion. She has been encouraged by those who visited her and she knew the blessing of the many prayers of the church.

In a way we have been prepared for Lily’s death. But that has not taken away the shock or made us immune to the blow. Despite the activity of making all the arrangements, still death takes its toll. In the death of Lily something of us has departed as well. There is a gap in our life for Lily was so much to us and even though separated by distance, she had a special place in our lives.

So today is a sad occasion. One whom we have known and loved has died. We have lost one who had a valued place in the family. We have lost a friend. We have lost a respected member of the church, a fellow disciple, a traveller along the pilgrim way.

Yet today is also a triumphant occasion. It is triumphant because suffering has been met and overcome. And I believe that Lily also triumphed over it. Now she is more than conqueror. She has fought the good fight and now the prize is hers and she inherits the garland of God’s glory. The victory has been won - that is what we celebrate today.

Perhaps it is hard for us to appreciate this at the moment. But in the coming days its truth will dawn upon us. We will be thankful that suffering has come to an end and that through death has come release and peace as Lily has entered the closer presence of God where there is neither pain nor anguish and where all tears have disappeared. For now there is only the joy of worshipping God with unceasing praise. Even in sadness and grief we have countless memories to sustain and cheer us:

One of the things I had to learn was the knack of leaving before Mrs. Rawson told you to go. On one occasion after a prayer she opened her eyes and said "THANK YOU DARLING!" On my December visit she blew me kisses as I was leaving. She is the only lady in Ballymascanlan who does such things. 96 year olds are allowed to do what they like! WE REMEMBER HER WITH GREAT AFFECTION.

Lily Rawson was a most independent and private person. While confined to her home for over 25 years she always had a cheerful and lively outlook. It was always a pleasure to visit her and you came away having received more than you had given. There were times I am sure that she could be sharp and would not accept instructions easily, yet she was always alert, jolly and good fun. It isn’t everyone who can do their own income Tax Returns and the Irish Times Crossword everyday at the age of 92.

Lily was able to stay at home for so long because of the long term care of her home help MAY MCNULTY and gardener VINCENT REILLY, on whom she depended prior to going into hospital. Since moving to Ardmaine Nursing Home she has been well looked after by the staff, where she a great favourite. We are grateful for the care she received there and for the last two weeks in Daisy Hill Hospital.

Lily was above all a devout and spiritual person who used the Book of Common Prayer, as it is meant to be used, for her daily personal devotions. She was also someone of great kindness and generous in spirit and outlook. She loved Ravensdale and Ballymascanlan and was for many years a member of the select vestry of this church. Now she will be laid to rest beside her dear husband Benjamin who died in 1963. We remember Lily with much gratitude and express our sympathy to PETER and JULIAN and the family who visited very regularly and showed their practical care and concern in so many ways.

Now we take our leave of her and, as we do so, we turn to God again. For in His keeping Lily is safe and secure and no harm shall ever touch her. Neither will God desert us. He will give us strength and courage. His love and compassion will surround Lily and us. Nothing will force him to release his claim on us and nothing will take us away from him.

Jesus has shown that God stands by those of faith. In the presence of suffering and even in the face of death God remains faithful. He has brought about a new life, the resurrection life, which death shall not overcome. For the life we have in Christ is eternal. For this we say. Thanks be to God!