Switch to a Graveside Dedication

After much discussion and concern for those who had to travel, and a couple of calls with Mike at the mortuary, who was slipping and sliding in the snow trying to get to work, Joy decided and we concurred to cancel the funeral and move to a graveside dedicatory prayer. So we went to the mortuary to say our final goodbye and then went across the street to the cemetery. Here is Sara and Jamie in the lobby. Isn't see a doll!

When we got to the cemetery.....look who was there waiting for us. This is the whole group who came......it was so nice and thoughtful of everyone. We know so many couldn't come who could not come out in the snow.

Here are the beautiful purple flowers that Alicia graciously put together for us.

We ended up with a nice program and it made for the perfect good bye.

Jonny Johnson conducted and shared a story of getting a call from Pat asking him to help her by coming out on a snowy day and remove the snow off her awning. Saying that this snowy day was perfect.

Joy shared a couple of thoughts, about when Pat told her that she was ready to go and how they assured each other they they were both okay with it; that Pat was her best friend for all her 51 years; and that Pat has such a strong testimony of the gospel and a great love for her family; how Pat probably left this life running with arms open to scoop up her little David who left this life at three years of age and to put her arms around Rick who left in his 40's.

Dan, Pat's grandson, played Come, Come Ye Saints on the harmonica....how perfect was that? He learned it as a scout and now he is 25.

Owen dedicated the grave and honored her service through her many talents.

The day was beautiful.

Grandma Pat and family

Joy called last Sunday night (1/25) to say that Pat wasn't doing well and the Hospice nurse said she should be put in a skilled nursing facility. Joy said she was quite confused so we didn't know what would happen. On Monday, Joy said that Pat was weak and confused but recognized them, so we decided to go down to see her. Greg hadn't seen her since he left and I knew that it was important to him to do so, so we flew him in from St. George and Barrett and I went down to meet him.

When we got there, Sarah and her darling baby Jaime were there from Washington and Dan followed us in from Tahoe City. We all went and ate at Brandon's Diner (great place) and caught up. Joy has a great family with the best kids!

It was a good time for the cousins to catch up.

When we saw Pat she recognized us all and asked the boys about school, mission, etc. and told them to be "good boys". We visited with her several times over the couple of days we were there. We were glad that we went to see her again.

Pat is ready to go home. She is anxious for Dad to come and get here. She will be missed but she will be happy.