Mary Zawacki Sago

Mary Sago, in a book to her granddaughter, wrote the following: "When I die, I believe that....God will take me to heaven to be with my family because god say someday we will all rise from the grave and live happily ever after in his garden".

EULOGY.................................................................................................................................

For my Eulogy, I expected to be emotional but didn't want to write out every word as I wanted to be sure it came from my memories as they were in the moment I said there versus something that was rehearsed. Here are my notes, as many of you have requested...........(Heather Sago, granddaughter).

My grandmother’s life philosophy can be summed up in a quote by George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing”

Repeated stories she used to tell about her life……..

Born a Zawacky Aug 1, 1916 in moose jaw, Sk

Father & monkey

Mother & pies in the river, cabbage rolls

Best memories – Sunday clothes and ice cream

Best friends Mona savage, Doreen Zawacky and Judy Sago

Joining the army / working in a hotel

Ran a boarding house

Worked at sears

What she loved about being a mother…that “I got to see my children grow up, have families of their own, and that they never gave me any serious problems”.

What I remember……….

Have a mind of your own and follow your needs, Get your education, Get married, have baby, grow flowers

My white car as she zipped around her garden – especially occupied with her tomato plants

Toronto Island – riding on my first horse with her and grandpa

She went around picking up the tips – work for your money

Lottery and Bingo and Cards – POOP RIGHT DOWN THE TOILET

Suitcases in Candy – white dress story caused my chocolate addiction

Fudge Sundaes before dinner

Swiss chalet, smoked meat, Fish and chips, mandarin and dinners out with Marjorie too

Walked everywhere

As I got older, I would bring her things: Saskatoon berries and photos of my children were what she enjoyed most.

What my kids will remember……………

Rainforest Café

Duck on a bike

I asked my sons this morning what they remember most and “she had candies everywhere in her house and would play go fish and throw balls with us”

Clarity before death …………….

In between hospital stays, my grandmother recently spent 10 days of sunshine at home in the presence of the King Family and my father.

- flying bird story

- weather channel slots – 3 suns equaled freedom

I think this was her way of going out in style and showing appreciation for those around her. It is this time that she wanted you all to remember. She gave everyone a gift of tranquility and peace

Appreciation for caregivers…..

Neighbours / My Parents

You gave her a gift – one so fantastic I am not sure if you are aware of its power. Her indepence through life in her own house. The neighbours shoveling her snow, checking on her in her house, and offering a consistent friendly face. My parents supported her through both finances and compassion/comfort - they gave her a lifeline button to press but in return gave her back freedom she thought she might lose.

Wanda

- Went to visit one time and she was already there with arby’s favorites, no one told her I was coming with lunch, grandma was so happy in care

- You became part of her life and now part of her story as you sat with us in the hospital last week.

King Family

Gave her three years of life the way she wanted without a nursing home. Respected her wishes. Even if she didn’t always show it, I know she appreciated it because she would tell me almost every time I came that she didn’t have to live in what she saw as institutions.

In closing,

As the stories tell, my grandmother had a strong, independent, and youthful soul with a mind all of her own – stubborn is what most people would call her. She would tell me often and later write that that is also what she liked best about me. For that I thank you grandma. For along with my parents, you taught me to live on my own terms, building a life based on my needs and wants and most of all to hold my ground when challenged. I am glad you saw me accomplish the dreams I had for myself and the ones you had for me. You were there when I graduated, got married, had my own babies and started my own garden and I will be there, in your spirit, as your other grandchildren and now great-grandchildren do the same. I will celebrate your life every time I work in my yard, play cards, indulge in candy and eat hot fudge sundaes before dinner. You cherished life and I will do the same.

Loved celebrations. As we sat by her bed, we kept wondering what she was waiting for before passing. As my grandmother was one who did not like to miss anything, I like to believe that she waited for my son’s 6th birthday to have been alive for one more event. I also like to think that she ended a family curse (deaths on birthdays of other ‘immediate’ family members). She passed 5 hours after midnight.

Which brings to mind a quote by Amelia Burr “ Because I have loved life, I will have no sorrow to die”.

Story of Angel dream…in her words " Ifeel asleep and I dreamt I saw the angels singing and calling me to come to help them to learn more about god. I saw jesus in the middle of the angels waiving and smiling at me to come to him. It was all so real. I woke and cried because I was still in my bed and not in heaven. This is my only secret. I have never told it to anyone other than you and my friend Mona Sawyer. I think of this dream that someday I will see Jesus again and god with the angels"

So to honor her memory, we should all go home and have dessert before dinner tonight and not mourn her death but celebrate her life through new beginnings.