Life is changed, not ended

It’s often the case that we discover things about people after they die.  I found out last week that one of the things that Mimi liked about me was that I wasn’t long winded!!  So I better keep that in mind!

I think Mimi was an unforgettable character.  I met her for the first time on my first Saturday night at Our Holy Redeemer Parish Church in Surrey Hills in January 2017 at Drinks and Nibbles, something that Mimi would rarely if ever miss.  She was a very sociable person and if you didn’t have much to say it didn’t matter as Mimi had no difficulty in filling in moments of silence.

Three things dominated Mimi’s life….family, faith and friends.

Mimi’s devotion to Morris was simply inspiring.  One of the very sad aspects of the COVID pandemic is that the light has been shone on the poor care that far too many of our frail/sick and elderly receive.  If everyone cared for those in need the way Mimi cared for her husband Morris, then our world would be a far richer place.  Mimi was the model disciple.  It was never about her.  Even when she was crook and life was a struggle and at times a painful struggle, her first duty was always to Morris.  Nothing gave her greater joy than spending time with him and each week before or after mass I could rely on receiving an up to date report on how Morris was going.

Mimi constantly gave of herself, whether that was to the love of her life, Morris, or countless others.  She was the epitome of generosity in the simplest of ways.  So often she would give me something small that she had just baked, frequently accompanied by a piece of fruit.  She was generous to all and we knew this in her dedication to Our Holy Redeemer parish in the 20 years that she has been a parishioner.  She and Morris contributed so richly to the life of the community in the way they served that community.  They were life givers to the place.  Which is why our first reading today is so appropriate.  As we hear at the beginning of our Wisdom reading, “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God”.  That’s Mimi.

And her life saw many seasons as our second reading suggests.  Times of change, joy, tears, laughter, and each and every day, times for loving Morris.  There were also times, for both Mimi and Morris, as we saw in our photo reflection at the start of our liturgy, times to enjoy the world.  They travelled widely, not simply as tourists, but as people who engaged with every culture they encountered, irrespective of the hemisphere in which they found themselves.  And clearly they loved it for the smiles on their faces and the fact that they travelled not once but often tells us this.  People who were always open to the new, the different; open to learning and growing and Mimi, I know for a fact, more than happy to share her experiences with those around her.

The Gospel we have listened to sums up Mimi’s faith in so many ways.  Simply put, she was a believer and so her heart was not troubled, except when it came to the care of Morris.  Mimi knew in her own life Jesus to be her way, life and truth and she very much lived by that.  Mind you, she was not afraid to say that things both challenged and puzzled her but she would then just shrug her shoulders and say to me: “But Fr Mark, what am I to do, I just have to trust in God.” And she did.

We have all been blessed and privileged for knowing Mimi for she has enriched our lives in simple and yet profound ways and we can be assured that she will receive a warm welcome from the God she served so well.  I just hope God puts some time aside to listen, because there will be much she will have to say!

Tributes from Parishioners...

Nancy & Warsa
This photo was taken during Winston (our son) and Lariza's wedding dinner reception in 2012.  
We have known Mimi for over 20 years when we met through Our Holy Redeemer Parish. As everyone knows, Mimi was a very friendly, generous and kind-hearted person. We will always remember how she often gave us her homemade muffins or her fresh garden produce when she attended Saturday Mass.

We are very grateful for, and will always remember Morris and Mimi coming to visit my Mum to give her communion. Thank you Mimi.  Rest in Peace.  
 
Kathy & Geoff 
My memories include a gorgeous, sweet, kind women who loved to talk a lot, especially about going to the gym (at the RACV club I think). She played the stock market and was horrified at my lack of stock market knowledge. She was devoted to her church and Morris.

She loved to watch you eat her contributions to our Saturday night "drinks and nibbles". She was very proud of her cooking.   She was a very kind and humble person. I'm so sorry to hear of her death. Please pass on our deepest sympathies to all.  

Chris & Peter
Mimi was kind, and grateful for kindnesses shown her, and especially Morris. She was smart and intelligent, and loved to talk; she was honest and frequently blunt, which could be challenging; generous and giving; always friendly, with a smile and a laugh not far away.  She was determined, with a strong and constant faith, which she certainly needed to draw on in the final weeks of her life.  

Mimi’s death was sudden, but we are grateful she was spared the realisation it was imminent.  She was ready, but she would have worried about Morris.  Her devotion to him was unstinting and inspiring.  She missed our 6.30pm Mass community and was impatient for restrictions to be lifted so she could see us all again.  We miss you already, Mimi.    

Doreen & Chun Yin
We will always remember Mimi as a strong, generous, kind and faith-filled Catholic. Despite the immense challenges with her own health, Mimi was always a shining light in her love and devotion to her husband, Morris. You have run a great race Mimi, and we know that you are now in the loving embrace of our Lord.  Rest in peace, dear friend.  

Teresa
Mimi will be fondly remembered as a generous, welcoming person of strong faith. She would only miss Saturday night mass if she was ill or on holiday. We knew there was something wrong or unexpected if she wasn’t there. 
Mimi delighted in making her friends, particularly those in need, healthy meals and was a regular contributor of tasty home-made treats at Drinks and Nibbles.

Mimi always shared the fruit from the trees in her lovely garden with many parishioners. In recent years she struggled to get the fruit from the tree and to carry it to Mass; but did it nonetheless. That was the kind of person she was - always giving.

Mimi would often forward beautiful messages of God’s love for us on What’s App and she truly believed in the power of prayer. In a similar way as Mimi was devoted to God, she was also devoted to her loving husband, Morris. This photo of Mimi were taken 13 years ago at a parish volunteers’ Christmas function. It was a lovely evening in a local Greek restaurant. She moved around the tables and spoke to everyone.    

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.