Blog Post 08-03-2025 A Close Friend's Wife Died

 

Dear Rich,                                                                                                      August 1, 2025

Please accept our [Joanne & my] prayers on Betty’s sudden death. I want to share a few thoughts with you. I believe your beloved Betty is “in the land of the living,” although unorthodox in her manner of believing, she did, in fact, believe in God. God’s mercy is beyond our comprehension, but I think when God calls someone home to be with Him, their mission on earth is completed although it is only known to God and them.

This story reminds me of Betty; it is ordinary and extraordinary. An Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden played her best role for the Make-A-Wish Foundation portraying Snow White for Bonnie, a little girl dying of cancer. Snow White was Bonnie’s favorite movie, and she wanted to meet Snow White, so the date was set. As Marcia was preparing for her bedside Performance, a casting agency called her to audition for a new Olive Stone movie. The auditions were scheduled for the same day as her Snow White performance. Neither could be changed, her hospital performance for Bonnie or her chance for the Oliver Stone movie.

After a sleepless night and many tears Marcia decided to keep her promise to the little girl. Marcia as Snow White entered Bonnie’s room - her face lit up. After the performance Bonnie asked Snow White, “When I die, will the prince kiss me and then I’ll wake up again?” The room fell silent as Marcia tried to think of what to say.

Finally, she said, “No, Bonnie, It is even better. When you get to heaven, God will kiss you and then you will wake up again.” On July 23^rd her work here on earth completed, God kissed Betty and thank her for her good life, for her good deeds especially the love for her family that accompanied her to the heavenly realm. Years later, Marcia reflected: “At that moment in the hospital room with Bonnie …. I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be, playing exactly the role, I was meant to play.”  [Connections, April 2008, pg2]

Betty lived her life fully and God showed her - the life you and your sons Jason and Andrew will live until God calls you home and every tear will be wiped away. St. John of the Cross-wrote, “The Lord measures our perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them.” Betty’s manner was filled with love.

St. Francis de Sales said, “Let God gather from His garden what He has planted, He takes nothing out of season” and “What is the prize if it is not Jesus Christ? How can you take hold of him if you do not follow him?" Betty now has hold of Jesus, and she won’t ever let go. Eugene Kennedy observed, “Heartbreak is impossible unless there is great love. Without love, sorrow and tears would disappear.” One day God will turn your tears into joy, and all sadness will be gone. Until that day, good friend, thank God for the gift of Betty and the wonderful memories she has left with you.

Love, 

Joanne & George

May God Be Praised