Celebration of Life for Grandma

Monday, February 19, 2007

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

A Beautiful Celebration

Below is the full program from the Celebration of Life for Barbara Orndorff:

Sunday, February 18, 2006 ~ Unity Church of the Morongo Basin ~ Yucca Valley, California

~ Reverend Midge Cole Anthony officiating

1. LIFE’S CONTINUING ADVENTURE

"Chariots of Fire" - Piano performance by Fernando Buendia Laysa, Jr.

Welcome - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony

We begin this celebration of life for our friend and loved one, Barbara, with this poem by an unknown poet.
Poem by unknown poet - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony
Yield not to the illusion
Of this thing called death;
But rejoice for my release
From my body, my breath.

No longer confined
By my earthly form;
Free is my Spirit
To now be reborn.

A part of the Universe
I’m going to be
You’ll know me in the sunset,
The forest, the sea.

Removed from my shell
Like the hand from a glove;
Free is my Spirit
To feel only love.

I’m closer to you now
In this state of grace;
Yet, I needn’t reach far
To touch God’s face.

I’ll be with you always;
I’ll never be gone;
Yesterday, I was the sunset
Today, I AM the dawn!

Prayer - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony
LET US PRAY

Our Heavenly Father, in you we live, move and have our being. You who are eternal life.

Quicken in us our awareness of your Holy Spirit, that spirit of love which strengthens and comforts every heart,
that spirit of wisdom which fills each mind with understanding, that spirit of life, perfect and eternal,
which transcends any experience -- even death, and makes us all one in you.

This we pray in the nature of him who said, “Lo, I am with you always..” AMEN

‘Life is Eternal’ - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony
Barbara’s spirituality was rich and multifaceted. It drew on several respected traditions, including Judaism, the Rosicrucian Order, the New Thought movement, and others.

One of the world’s great teachers was a man called Jesus the Christ…and his words have been preserved and have come down to us through the centuries.

One of the things he spoke about with great passion was life…He said many things about life:

He said, “before Abraham was, I am.” Meaning that life, individual life, is eternal; It did not start here on earth -- nor does it end here -- on earth.

He said, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live unto him.” God IS life and all that God creates is life as well. Life is eternal.

He said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Telling us that life expresses itself on more planes than just one.

Twice he instructed mankind, “Do not worry for your life.” Telling us that life is eternal, it cannot be lost.

And on the cross, he said to the thief, “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” THIS DAY, is what he said, there is NO interruption in life.

We may move from one expression to another, but there is no time when we are not in life.

That’s what the poem that I read a few moments ago is all about. “Yield not to the illusion of this thing called death. But rejoice in my release.”

We are here this morning to celebrate the life of Barbara.

We are here to rejoice in her release. She is no longer confined by her earthly form. Our purpose today is to recognize the truth of who Barbara was while she inhabited this place and to wish her God speed as she takes her next step in life’s continuing adventure.

2. WE CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF BARBARA ORNDORFF

Now we will hear from Barbara’s loved-ones who have some happy memories to share during this Celebration of her Life. First we’ll hear from Barbara‘s cousin, Mr. Orville Hunter, followed by her grandson Steven Shultz, followed by any other guests who wish to share their memories of Barbara. Orville…

Eulogy - Orville Hunter, cousin of Barbara Orndorff (see below)

A Poetic Remembrance - Steven Shultz, grandson of Barbara Orndorff (see below)

[Steve plays recording of Grandma reciting her poem, “Smells” from her book of children’s poems published in 1950 called "Smarty Pants" (see below)]

Reflections - Others are invited to share their memories of Barbara Orndorff
[Norma Shultz, wife of Barbara's grandson Charlie, shares a wonderful remembrance of Barbara, ending by repeating the sacred Hebrew word "Shalom" three times.]

3. IN A PERFECT PLACE - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony

The promises that are made by religion and the evidence of modern research, indicate not only that life is eternal, but also that it maintains its individual identity, meaning its personality and its memories, the lessons it learned while it inhabited this place. Already, the eternal spirit which is Barbara has stepped across the threshold of THIS mansion and has entered the next.

Know with me now that in this next mansion a table is prepared for Barbara.
Her head is anointed with oil, her cup runs over and only goodness and mercy attend.
Barbara dwells in the house of the Lord, forever.

As our hearts are lifted, and we know the truth about Barbara, let us know that she is speaking to us even now, and saying---

“Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am a diamond’s glint on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

And when you wake in the morning hush,
I am the soft, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Life is eternal.

4. ‘GRANDMA’S GIFT’ - special video presentation

5. CLOSING PRAYER - Reverend Midge Cole Anthony

LET US PRAY

In the eternal presence of God we speak to the Soul of our loved one, Barbara.

We say, God bless you and love you.
We no longer bind you in our thought to this place or to this earthly garment.

We behold you in your true being, full of grace and truth, already enjoying your next grand adventure in this eternal thing called life.”

AMEN
Thank you all so much for being here. This concludes our service. Please enjoy some refreshments in the back. Barbara loved good, wholesome food. And she will undoubtedly enjoy seeing her loved-ones partake of some at this celebration of her life. Thank you for being a part of it.
-----------------
Conclusion of Program

Orville's Eloquent Eulogy

From left, Orville Hunter, Reverend Midge Cole Anthony, Norma Shultz, and Charles Shultz.

'Uncle' Orville Hunter, nephew of Barbara, (pictured at the service with Reverend Midge Cole Anthony and Grandma's grandson Charlie and wife Norma) delivered this beautiful eulogy for Grandma:

I REMEMBER GRANDMA
I remember Grandma Barbara since way back in the 1930’s. In those days, our families lived within a short distance from each other in Los Angeles, in what is now known as “South Central LA.

I have many happy memories visiting with “aunt” Barbara and her future in-laws, and the celebrations of the coming marriage between Barbara and Irving – the parents of Steve and Tony Shultz. I was on many occasions, after the age of 10, the designated “older companion” of Steve and Tony as tots (Never a baby-sitter).

All mothers want success for their sons. Tony Shultz, became a Doctor of Journalism (A Phd) and the father of Mike, Ducie, Charlie, Steve, and Krista, Barbara’s five grandchildren. She was delighted that Frieda was her daughter-in-law that made her family complete. Barbara looked after her children and grandchildren long into their mature years with advice and care and sage advice, as always.

Barbara was brilliant and unique in her own way – an insight that few have ever equaled. Fortunately, that intelligence passed along to her sons and her grandchildren.

Being a single Mom for many years, she raised her two boys literally by her wits. I remember her as a close friend of my own mother and aunt who were into all kinds of people-adaptable subjects like astrology, tarot cards and mind-enlightening subjects. Some would call it new age philosophy today.

One of Barbara’s brief professions was playing a Gypsy fortuneteller with a local carnival company. She told fortunes and gave advice to those who needed it most. She found, after a while, to apply good psychology and advice, which was self-taught. Then Tarot cards became a mere prop. Many of her “Clients and Customers” alike regularly took her advice seriously and prospered spiritually in their lives. This was all done before Dr. Phil was even born.

Her sharp mind brought many other things into her home with her sons. Barbara had a talent for games, contests, and prizes. I wondered where she acquired many of the household items, like stoves and refrigerators and furniture on her modest income. We discovered she was a constant contest winner. Another source of income was her writing – she did children’s books with great zeal.

Barbara lost both her sons in their adult years as fathers of her grandchildren. In her later years, she met Tom who has been the ultimate companion of her life. Tom had the privilege of living with a lady who will never be forgotten.

All of us who have been touched by Grandma Barbara’s life are truly blessed forever.

A Poetic Remembrance

Frieda Burdette and son Steven Shultz.

Barbara's grandson Steve (pictured with mom Frieda) read this poem he wrote about his grandparents a few years ago:

MY GRANDMA GOES TO WAL-MART
My Grandma goes to Wal-Mart
To see the military babies of many races
A life lived loudly through the decades
Husbands married and divorced
Husbands deceased
Jobs held, children reared
Two to be exact
Then a bunch of precious grandchildren
Five in the desert where she came to be near
For her sons are now gone
Cancer and a car wreck

This woman - daughter of fiery Ukrainian immigrants
Daughter of Brooklyn
Running through the streets of that now-troubled borough
In a time more innocent, when the century was young
Going home only when hungry
Back pig-tails flying
Red flame burning, even then
Inside the heart of a little girl
Beginning a long, fitful, proud life
With roots running deep
And branches reaching far

Several decades, several cities
And a few mobile home parks into the future
And Grandma is fit and radiant in her' 80s
Living life in the high desert
In love with a man, in a union stronger
Than most the world has to offer
It is her reward (and his)
For daring to live
Life on their own terms

And when they go to Wal-Mart each day
To sip coffee and see the military babies
There's no hint of tragedy
No wisp of sadness
Only the aura
Of two lives
Who have risen high in this world
S. Shultz
8/3/95-2/20/98

Grandma's Voice

A recorded poem, recited by Grandma herself, was played during the "Poetic Remembrance" section of the service. The poem is from Grandma's book of children's poems called "Smarty Pants," published in 1950. You can listen to it now by clicking: http://smartypants.podomatic.com/player/web/2007-02-01T23_00_46-08_00