On her way home

In the evening hours of this day, we celebrated the life of another of the family of faith who has now completed her earthly journey and entered the house of the Father.  Tomorrow, she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband and her cherished son, but first we took a moment to thank God for all that we have known and lived with her.

Funeral homily for Marilyn (Marney) St. James

The parish family of Saint Peter the Apostle gathers this evening along with you Nancy, Tom, Greg and Brittany and with other siblings of our beloved sister Marney to accompany her on this final leg of her earthly journey.  Tomorrow, you will lay her moral remains beside those of her beloved husband and her cherished son, but first, we have a precious moment to reflect on the life that Marney lived and the many ways in which our loving God has been present to her and now welcomes her into eternal rest.

Marilyn Hodgson was the first of six children to be born to Hamilton and Lila Hodgson.  In the lumbering community of Goward, she and her siblings learned their first lessons about life, about giving and about loving at the knees of their parents.  It was in the church of Saint Elizabeth in the nearby town of Temagami that Marney was baptized and began her life of faith.  This relationship of faith was also evidenced each time she celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation, every time she received the Eucharist, on the day when she was wed to her beloved husband Gail and each time she in turn brought her children to the font to celebrate the faith that was being passed on to them. 

The relationship of faith that begins at baptism is strong enough to support us in times of struggle, such as the tragic death of her son Gregory, and the later physical struggles that Gail faced as he confronted the increasing challenges imposed by the progression of Alzheimer’s.  Like them, she now stands at the threshold of heaven, where she can experience Saint John’s vision of the new heaven and the new earth for herself (cf Rev 21:1).

In the final hours of Gail’s life here on earth, he no longer knew Marney by name, but he was comforted by her presence, he knew her voice and welcomed her loving touch.  In a similar way, Marney is now enveloped by the Lord’s presence.  She recognizes his gentle touch and hears the words he speaks with tenderness and joy: Come, you whom my Father has blessed; take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34).

After Gail’s earthly journey was complete, Marney was able to dedicate lots of time and energy to spending time with her brothers and sisters, and with her cherished grandchildren.  The memories of her unfailing commitment to bringing joy to those she met: in gestures such as flipping burgers and catering lunches, or spending time with Greg and Brittany at the hockey rink are part of the treasure she leaves for each of you.  She found great joy and pride in all your accomplishments, and there was no greater joy and motivation for her than to be part of your lives.  Cherish these times; remember them always with great fondness.

Marney’s soul is now in the hand of God, and no torment will ever trouble her again (cf Wis 3:1).  From her place in heaven, where she is reunited with Gail and Gregory, she watches over us, helping us to experience the grace and mercy which the Lord reserves for his holy ones as he watches over his elect (Wis 3:9).