Speaking for myself, the year of 2018 has been very difficult with the number of significant deaths that have occurred within my own faith community and within my own immediate family (just heard that one of my healthier ordination classmates was diagnosed with liver cancer on Thursday. My other remaining classmate is very ill, too.). It has been a weekend for grieving losses, and perhaps this is why the death of Marilyn on Sunday has had such an impact on me.
My heart sunk when I heard of her death yesterday, Monday, August 20th. Equally, my heart is very heavy for her children who lost not only their dad to death so very suddenly, but now their mother. I began composing the piano composition above on Sunday night. I finished it at 10 am this morning.
Tom was a longtime educator in the New Prague School system. He was my son, Luke’s, advocate when Luke was in high school. I told Tom on many occasions of how thankful I was to have him watch Luke’s back during Luke’s high school days. Tom died suddenly in January of this year from a coronary. He was 70 years old.
When I was assigned to St. Wenceslaus I really got to know Marilyn through the BeFriender program. A woman of great compassion and insight, Marilyn was the quintessential BeFriender. She is a good friend. Tom’s sudden death shook their entire family. As good families do, they have supported each other as they grieved the death of Tom.
Marilyn was diagnosed with cancer in the Spring. Surgery and chemotherapy could not suppress the spread of the illness. She entered into hospice several weeks ago and died this past Sunday surrounded by her children. She is an incredible woman of faith and there is no doubt in my mind that she and Tom are dancing in heaven, hence, the waltz I composed for the both of them.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Psalm Offering 6 Opus 10: For Tom and Marilyn Hudspeth. (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.
Thank you for writing this and composing a song for my parents. What a beautiful tribute! They will definitely win a few dance contests in heaven with this piece. Thank you for the support you have given us this year. As my mom always said, “There are blessings all around us. You just have to open your eyes and look.”
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your kind words. As your mom knew so well, accompanying others during times of duress is a great honor and privilege. It is a very sacred time. As this year continues and into future years, if you and your family need any help or support from me and others in the parish, let us know. We are here for you.
Bob