Eulogy for mother
		Grace Anesta Diaz Gonsalves 1924 / 2005 

	We are here today to say our final good-byes to our dear mother. 
	As we look back over the years of her life,our hearts are filled with joy
	 and happiness for having had her as a parent. The memories of her will be
	 with us forever.

	Our mother will be remembered most for her love of life and her wonderful gift 
	of humor.  Whether you knew her for a lifetime or a short time you will always
	 remember her for the way she could change a dull moment into a time of laughter.

	Her joy of life touched everyone she has been in contact with.  To her children,
	 mom was the smartest person in our lives. She did not have a professional degree,
	 but she had a PhD in Life and Love.  

	Many had said of her that she did too much for her children. It was said that
	 perhaps she loved us too much. But, I ask of you, just how can you do too much
	 for your children and even more, how can you love them too much? She was both
	 mother and father to us. Yes, we had a father there, in body only. It was mom who
	 did for us; it was mom who looked out for us, it was mom who calmed our fears.
	  It was mom who said that one-day things would get better for us, that the light at
	 the end of the tunnel wasn't an oncoming train. She was right.

	What’s indelibly engraved in my mind is the time of my terrible accident when 75%
	 of my body was severely burnt. I spent several weeks in the hospital.  What I 
	remember most was mom sitting up all night, quietly weeping, and quietly praying
	 for me throughout that miserable time night after night. THIS...was our mother. 
	I've often thought the highest praise you can give any woman is to say she is/was a
	 good mother. This being the case, our mother was the very personification of a good
	mother.

	Dear Mom, our beautiful Sunbeam, we want to express our gratitude and admiration
	 we have for you; you have always placed your life in secondary position when
	 considering your children’s needs; you have in my opinion performed magic in our
	 times of most need sometimes with little resources.  In spite of the adversities that you
	 were subjected too on a daily basis, you did a most wonderful job.

	Mom was always able to soften our pain with her infectious laughter that I swear
	 came from her very soul. This part of her character manifested itself at a very early
	 age in her life, as attested to by the nickname – SUNBEAM - that was bestowed on
	 her by our old family pastor Reverend Hedley McClelland when she was but just a 
	little girl.

	Truly she has been a ray of sunshine in all our lives. 

	Mom was the proud mother of 9 children, 7 surviving boys, one daughter, and one 
	beautiful baby in heaven, who she has always missed, even though she had all of us
	 to contend with. As men we can appear insensitive and uncaring at times but this is 
\	only an outer defense, a shield that mother taught us boys too well 
	“ Be strong Boys don’t cry”

	Thank God she was blessed with a daughter that has inherited her sense of duty and 
	caring. Hazel, we thank you for your unselfish commitment.  Gerry we thank you for 
	the love you gave to mom and the support you have given to Hazel during these very 
	difficult and demanding years.  You have unselfishly given of yourself, your time and 
	your love, and for that we will always be grateful.

	She loved us unconditionally and her entire life was devoted to us, right to the very end.
	She instilled a sense of pride and strength in all of us, She taught us how to laugh,
	 how to love, how to give comfort, how to live our lives morally. This is what has given
	us the courage and desire to achieve our goals, for this we are eternally grateful.
	She was so very humble.

	Even at the end, Mom showed us how to die.  We comfort ourselves in the knowledge
	 that she is with Our Heavenly Father.  

	She no longer suffers from the chronic pain that plagued her final years.  Today,
	 we are happy to tell you, that mom is dancing in victory before the Lord. She has
	 fought the good fight.  She was very strong to the end, and I am sure, that the Lord 
	has said to her, "WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, WELL DONE."

	Mom, we LOVE you and will always love and cherish your memory.  Mom, it’s so hard
	to say goodbye: I know we all feel that we have not been there for you as you have 
	always been for us, but we can still hear your special laughter that helps to ease our
	 pain, our sadness and our guilt.

	Finally, someday we too must pass from this world, just as we all must. By the grace 
	of Almighty God, we will enter into His Heavenly Kingdom.  We will always hear 
	your sweet, familiar voice, and we all want to say “THANKS MOM,

		FOR BEING OUR RAY OF SUNSHINE, OUR BEAUTIFUL SUNBEAM”  

	Mom, we all could not be there in person at your bead side in your finale hour, 
	but I am sure you can feel all our spirits supporting you on your journey. 
	We will not say goodbye, but until we meet again.  May you find comfort and peace 
	in the presence of the Creator?  

	Mom, you are truly our Amazing Grace

	(Play song “Amazing Grace”)