Celebration of Life Memories For My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider 2-7-11

The Colorado funeral that took place today for my mom is over. Although it was a sad day, it was a great celebration of my mom's life. Rabbi Don Levy from Temple Beit Torah (where we are members) ran the service. After some prayers and readings from the rabbi, my dad shared some of his memories of my mom. My brother Billy then shared.

Daddy shared how my parents had been together for over 60 years and inseparable throughout life. He took the poem "Annabel Lee" (by Edgar Allan Poe) and changed part of it to "My Darling Edie."

Billy had wonderful memories to share too. He talked about how he took for granted all the things my mom did for him when he was a kid. He talked about how she made sure that he got to where he needed to be and ate right. He talked about how she made sure all he needed for skating competitions was ready. He talked about how dedicated a grandparent she has been to his children. He talked about how he took my mom to baseball games!

I had planned to read the memories I wrote on this blog about my mom, but instead, I sort of did both. I read some stuff and I just talked about what I wrote. I had six pages of memories, so it took me awhile to share them all! (My kids told me later that they thought their mom is a pretty entertaining speaker!)

Then, Sal Mancini sang "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" and played his guitar. We all joined in the chorus. (I asked Sal if he could perhaps learn the song over the weekend. I just knew my dad would enjoy hearing Sal sing at the service.)

After Sal sang, I put together a slide show to music that showed lots of photos from my mom's life.



After the ceremony, everyone went to the Schneider family home in Larkspur for lunch. There we celebrated my mom's life by spending quality time with people that have been close to my family for years. Everyone there, except for the rabbi, we have known through skating.

Sal brought his guitar in the house and I asked him to sing "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" again for my dad.



Now, it's time for the 2nd funeral which will take place this Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Forest Lawn on Cherry Ave. in Long Beach. All are welcome.