Mary Ellen Jennings
born May 1, 1930
called to Heaven October 4, 2004
Here is Mary
Ellen Jennings singing one of the last songs she wrote called "Little Flower of
Jesus"
And here is the song "She Says" written by
Jennifer Jennings in memory of Grandma Mary
Remembering Mary E. Jennings.
The eulogy delivered by her five children.
“On behalf of my family and myself, I’d like to thank everyone for being here today, and I’d like to thank everyone for the wonderful stories and the kind words and thoughts that we’ve enjoyed so much over the last few days. To write this eulogy, we sat down together for hours around my parents’ kitchen table, and we shared our own stories, and we laughed and we cried as we remembered our mother. So in a few words we can’t begin to express what she meant to us, but we wish to share a few thoughts with you now.
My mother had an adventurous spirit. She loved music, dancing, people and parties. At every wedding reception you’d find her on the dance floor or circulating table to table talking comfortably with everyone there. She always had a warm and welcoming smile. She always had that smile. And it seems that she had this love always because she’d tell us that back in Ireland she’d stay too long at the dances and have to run back through the fields so as not to be seen.
My mother had a genuine interest in people. Of course she wanted to know how we were doing, but she’d also ask us about our friends and the families of our friends. She’d say, “How’s Nick? And how’s Nick’s father doing?” and follow by saying, “tell Nick I’ll pray for him.” She believed strongly in the power of prayer and as a result so do I. I don’t think I’ve taken a test without asking her to pray for me.
My mom would take every opportunity to invite people to her home for dinner, or a bite to eat, or just a cup of tea. She’d say, “It’s no big deal” and for her it was no big deal because she really loved to do it.
She loved having company and was happiest when we’d all be around. She’d say, “bring the kids and come on over and I’ll fix you something to eat.” And when it came time to leave, she’d be asking when we could come back.”
“Becoming a parent gave me a fuller appreciation of the hard work and sacrifices my Mom made for all of us. Looking back on my childhood memories of my Mom managing the daily efforts of feeding, cleaning and looking after the five of us, I now often wonder how she was able to do it.
The answer of course was the unconditional love she had for all of us throughout her life. Just thinking back when we were kids about an almost daily trek to the grocery store with five kids in tow, must have taken the patience of a saint. Even with life's daily struggles and many trials, Mom's love and devotion went above and beyond our basic needs to give us every opportunity in life whether it was learning piano, swimming lessons, ice skating, Irish dancing, or a top quality education.
Mom's greatest joys were derived from seeing our own happiness and success within our lives and the love and closeness within our families.
The stories we shared this week triggered a memory in me of my first high school admission meeting with St. Viator's principal and my Mom. As Father Render and I discussed the schools programs I looked over at my Mom and saw tears streaming down her face. Even as a 13 year old boy I understood the mix of emotions caused by the realization that her baby was growing up, but my thought at the time was "Oh boy, This is embarrassing."
As I grew older and particularly this week I have grown to understand and appreciate the depth of Mom's love for us and many others and am able to say without any embarrassment, I love you too Mom.”
“Through our Mother's life, we learned about courage. After the death of two children and the near death of her husband, she found the courage to raise her children with distinction. Our memories of our childhood are wonderful and happy.
There are many thoughts and remembrances in the back of the booklet handed out today, including this next story, which I thought was appropriate here.
I was a picky eater in the second grade and would only eat bologna sandwiches. We were out of bologna, so Mom said she would bring my lunch to school. I was reminded recently that the she didn't have a car and didn't drive, so why she made this promise, I'll never know. At lunchtime, the other students pulled their lunches out of their desks. I started to get upset because I had nothing, but the nun had the other students share with me, and just then, my Mom came running into the classroom, out of breath, with a dozen Dunkin' Donuts. She didn't have time to go to the store, walk home, make the lunch and then walk to the school, but she wanted to make sure I had something. The other kids got a donut and I was a hero.
People often ask me, "How did my Mom do it?” "How did she raise 5 kids so close in age?" Part of the answer is she simply did the best she could do. Another part of the answer is that she responded to life's challenges with courage.
As I look around the church today, I see so many people touched by my mother’s selflessness. She lived her life in a state of grace that many of us can only hope to achieve. Admittedly, many of you that were at the wake last night saw pictures of my mom in her younger days and you may have noticed that she had about 150 pairs of pumps before she married my father. But those of you that knew her now know that she was not a materialistic person and that she was extremely giving.
Reflecting on her giving nature, a story came to mind of me as a young girl. I wanted to be the Virgin Mary in our Nativity play at St. Linus School. Sr. Mercita had explained to me that my hair was too short and that I would make a much better Angel Gabriel. So I went back home and cried to my mother cursing my Pixie haircut. Thank God, she had the where-with-all to not mention that Gabriel was a boy. She took out her wedding tiara from her jewelry box and said, “You can wear this as your halo.” I went to school the next day and everyone as in awe. Everyone else had tinfoil wrapped-coat hangers and I had a tiara on my head. Sr. Mercita was astonished that my mom would give her wedding tiara to a 1st grader for her school play.
You see she lived sort of a Spartan life. We used to say she was the greatest re-gifter. Some of you today may have received some of her re-gifts. On Christmas morning she would receive gifts and by the next day she had donated them to every charity.
Her greatest gift to us was her gift of time and I know this better than anyone. As many of you know, my mom helped me raise my two beautiful sons, Freddie and Brian. When people ask me how I have been able to balance my career and family, I say that I have been blessed with the greatest gift and that is having someone that loves my children as much as I watch them every day.
When the doctor told us that mom wouldn’t recover on Monday, I prayed to our Lord, please give me just a couple of more years. I knew that she had led a perfect life and that she would go to heaven but I needed her here with me, because you see I am not so selfless. But God had greater plans for my mother and as the week progressed, my prayers have evolved. I ask our Lord to give me the grace to live my life in a selfless manner, so that I can try to fill the void that is left here on earth by her death.
Through our mother's life, we learned about faith. Our mom made sure that religion was a strong force in each of our lives. Our parents lived modest lives, which made a private, catholic education a reality for 5 children. We said the rosary each night as a family and we were taught the miracles of just about every patron saint, in particular, St. Anthony (our mom was a regular customer).
But, it was actually how our mom lived her life that taught us the most about Gods love. This is exemplified by the many stories told to me last night as I met the hundreds of people who came to bid their final good bye. People, from varied walks of life, shared how our mom reached out to them, inspired them, prayed for them, and genuinely loved them. One woman tearfully told a story of how our mom welcomed her at her very first prayer meeting. Our mom sensed her shyness, her loneliness, and her sadness. While everyone was praying, our mom got up and sat next to this woman at the back of the room. Afterwards they sat and talked for hours. The woman said that, within moments she felt a connection with our mom because she seemed to understand her pain.
Our mom had a sincere interest in people and a kind heart. I know it would make my mom uncomfortable to hear this comparison, but these stories reminded me of the unconditional love Jesus has for everyone. Our mom embraced the word of God and embodied his message of "love one another as I have loved you".
She was always confident that what ever our problems were, it was in God's hands and what will be, will be. As a result, we believed that if we tried our best and just put our faith in God, everything would be ok. We have had a wonderful life because of our mom, because of the sacrifices she made and the constant reminders to each of us that this life is simply preparation for our eternal life in Heaven.
Our mother had an adventurous spirit, an unending love for her family and friends, she was a selfless and courageous person with inspirational and unshakable faith. Our mother believed with all of her heart in the power of Gods love and his promise for life everlasting. While it is overwhelming painful for us to say goodbye today, we stand here confident that our beautiful mother is in the arms of God. And, in that, we have faith.