Chantal Witchalls' Funeral
It was an honour for us to care for mum at home and share many beautiful loving and joyful moments.
Mum lived as on a retreat these final weeks - most awake and present for the moments of prayer. Radiant smiles. A highlight was daily rosary and singing around her bed with the families. Claire and the family were also able to be present by video call. At the foot of her bed a large statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus and an image of the Divine Mercy. Aletheia (her 13yr old granddaughter in US) drew a picture of the Good Shepherd for her which was also at the foot of Chantal's bed. A copy of it went into the coffin and onto the prayer card.
Fr Bruno made Chantal's coffin and Pascale Mary calligraphied the Word of God onto it. Chantal's grand-daughter Rebecca made the flower bouquet for the coffin. On Friday morning the mothers and children decorated the bicycle hearse and Chantal's grandsons Joseph and Dominic rode the hearse along the familiar route to Church, with a solemn procession in tow. Many dear friends were involved in the service; reading, singing, playing the organ, serving... In the afternoon mums, dads and the teens prepared and served the canapes for the reception. Our French cousins Jeanne and Christian made several hundred Gougeres and had all the Chablis brought over from France so that we could celebrate in true French style with produce from Chantal's favourite region. There were many more meaningful and personal touches that made the day and these final weeks truly special.
All in all we are thankful to each and everyone for sharing in mum's life and this day of farewell... Adieu!
Mum lived as on a retreat these final weeks - most awake and present for the moments of prayer. Radiant smiles. A highlight was daily rosary and singing around her bed with the families. Claire and the family were also able to be present by video call. At the foot of her bed a large statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus and an image of the Divine Mercy. Aletheia (her 13yr old granddaughter in US) drew a picture of the Good Shepherd for her which was also at the foot of Chantal's bed. A copy of it went into the coffin and onto the prayer card.
Fr Bruno made Chantal's coffin and Pascale Mary calligraphied the Word of God onto it. Chantal's grand-daughter Rebecca made the flower bouquet for the coffin. On Friday morning the mothers and children decorated the bicycle hearse and Chantal's grandsons Joseph and Dominic rode the hearse along the familiar route to Church, with a solemn procession in tow. Many dear friends were involved in the service; reading, singing, playing the organ, serving... In the afternoon mums, dads and the teens prepared and served the canapes for the reception. Our French cousins Jeanne and Christian made several hundred Gougeres and had all the Chablis brought over from France so that we could celebrate in true French style with produce from Chantal's favourite region. There were many more meaningful and personal touches that made the day and these final weeks truly special.
All in all we are thankful to each and everyone for sharing in mum's life and this day of farewell... Adieu!
