She was a wonderful person. It is impossible to put into words how she affected the lives of the people who were fortunate enough to have known her, but the tribute which was paid to her in her death spoke volumes about her life. Her funeral was attended by over 500 and many more visited at the funeral home. She leaves behind a husband, a daughter and two sons,a daughter-in-law, parents, brothers and sisters and friends in unknown numbers. I have never known anyone who touched the lives of so many in so few years.
She battled this dreaded disease, valiantly, for over three years, never giving in to the pain she was suffering or outwardly letting it get her down.
In the many years that we were friends (from the time we were little girls), we shared joys, sorrows and lots of adventures, of which the memories will remain with me forever.
I have had my share of heartaches through the years, from being diagnosed with breast cancer, having my daughter diagnosed with thyroid cancer and losing my father and mother, but I have never felt a loss or such pain in my life, as I felt over facing the rest of my life without my special and dear friend, Judy.
If you have someone in your life whose friendship you value, cherish it, and let them know regularly how much they mean to you, because inevitably, the time will come when you will have to part.
With God's help and the help of my other good friends, life goes on and someday Judy and I will meet again and this time, we will be together for all eternity. Until that time, I will hold in my heart all the precious memories of the things that we shared and will try to live my life in her example.
This is a poem that I wrote shortly after her death which I call,
"MY FRIEND" Very many years ago, When my life was fairly new, God looked down upon me, and said, "I have someone for you. You won't recognize her right away But as the years unfold She will come to mean much more to you Than much silver or much gold. A friendship will abound with you The likes of which is rare; And as the years go quickly by You'll learn how much you care." But much too soon, the time arrived, For the two of us to part, And now the friendship only lives Deep down, within my heart. And as the years go quickly by, Only time will ease the pain; And then one day, my time will come, And we will meet again.- Lillian Murray
I am including on this page some poetry and some quotes which I hope that you may find to be a comfort, if you are experiencing the loss of someone you love.
"Remember Me Here" I feel you here inside my heart Asking me, please, not to cry, Just remember all we shared together, There's no such thing as good-bye." The courage you showed throughout it all As the battle raged on inside You never stepped down or lost your ground You fought with dignity and pride. And it's pride I have for all you are For everything you gave You never questioned the way things were You just kept on, true and brave. You graced me with your friendship, And you honored me with your love A better friend I couldn't have had You were a blessing from above. So I say "so long" until we meet again, And I wipe away a tear And I hear you whisper inside my heart Saying, "Remember me here." - Author Unknown
"What She Would Have Wanted" It's what she would have wanted Are the words they all convey As they try to give me comfort Each one, in their own way. I know I must go on with life And learn each day to cope, But it seems it just gets harder And the future holds no hope. I will not see her face again Or secrets with her share I find I'm asking God, Why?" It just does not seem fair. She never wanted sympathy, She never wanted tears, So I'll have to keep my chin up And keep going through the years. And one day soon, the time will come, At least, that's what they say, When the pain will not be quite as bad And I will see a brighter day. So if you see me laughing, Remember in your heart, It's what she would have wanted, For the time that we're apart. It doesn't mean that I've forgot Or there is no longer pain, It's just my way of getting by, Until God calls my name.
- Lillian Murray
"Miss Me - But Let Me Go" When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little - but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared Miss me - but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone It's all a part of the Master's Plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friend we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me - but let me go.
- Author Unknown
I wrote this poem to commemorate the first anniversary of Judy's death.
It’s been a year, since she was here, And things just aren’t the same. What I would give to see her face And hear her say my name. The snow still falls and the sun still shines The flowers bloom and the days go by But how much nicer those days would be If we could sit and chat, just her and me. There was still so much to talk about So many things to do. Already things have changed so much There is so much that is new. She has a little grandson I wish that she could see. I wish that she could hold him And bounce him on her knee. She’d have been an awesome Grandma She’d have showered him with love. But I know she’s watching over him Each day from up above. I could not wish her to come back Just to suffer so much pain Where she is, there’s only sunshine And not one day of rain. I know Heaven is a perfect place That someday I will see. And when I do I know that she Will be waiting there for me. But until then, she will be alive Deep down within my heart. And the next time that I see her face We will never have to part.
"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die."- Thomas Campbell "Memory is the gift from God that death cannot destroy."
- Kahlil Gibran
"We enjoy warmth because we have been cold. We appreciate light because we have been in darkness. By the same token, we can experience joy, because we have known sorrow." - David L. Weatherford
"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say." - Author unknown
"In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, And it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it,will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement." - Abraham Lincoln
Cancer is limited. It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul. It cannot reduce eternal life. It cannot quench the Spirit. It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. - Author Unknown
This little verse was posted on Judy's refrigerator throughout her illness.
