A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY
Tribute to Mom
By: James Slane
On Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Pauline Gresock’s eternal soul completed its 98 year long, arduous, earthly mission for divine enlightenment, and made the joyous journey home to her final resting place in Heaven. She, being the last of five brothers (Mickey, George, John, Jock and Paul) and five sisters (Agnes, Anna, Sue, Betty and Helen) to make that journey.
My mother was born of humble beginnings, but the wealth of love and quiet, kindly gentleness that pervaded her family made them all the more rich than any heartless Wall Street, privileged millionaire. Together, they grew up learning and practicing the true noble characteristics, values and virtues that earned them the title of privileged: hard work, sacrifice, duty, kindness, towards others, honesty, responsibility, fairness to all, integrity and humble charity enduring values each chose to live by. It is safe to say that throughout their lives, each one of them enriched the lives of all they met and of all those around them.
Their beloved older brother, Mickey, even gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life, in WWII so that others could someday enjoy freedom from a tyrannical ruler, spreading hatred across the globe. It was during that war that my parents met and married, and nothing in their 76 years of marriage separated them. A true lasting testament to the enduring love and patience they had. Raising four kids did test their patience, I know. My siblings could/can be a bit much at times, so in defending their sanity against such an unruly mob, their strategies at peace were formulated and relayed in Slovak leaving us clueless.
All through her life, my mother gave of her time, attention and devotion to raising her family, providing a safe, stable, supportive sheltered home, freeing our childhoods from the perils and worries of the outside world for which we are deeply indebted to her. Although her main focus was on the family, she did artistically express herself in paintings, her quilt work and in her lovely garden.
In the summers, she would return to the farm with Betty and Dennis, visiting and cleaning her brothers’ house while we connected with our cousins and nature, experiencing rural living with its unique primitive outdoor facilities sure to foster strength of character and speed of execution. Then, at night, the passing train’s soothing road crossing whistle lulled us all to sleep signaling the end of another idyllic day.
A little known fact, probably to most outsiders, was my mother’s deep seated Catholic faith, her strong connection to the other side, and her love and her lasting devotion to the Rosary and The Blessed Virgin Mary. In later years, multiple trips were taken by her and my dad to world sites of historic religious significance; all were related to sightings of Mary.
I’m sure an honored place in the nicer sections in Heaven, awaited my mom’s arrival with the love of her children closely following her. Rejoice.
The trials and tribulations of this harsh challenging world no longer confront her. She fulfilled her agreed destiny. May she now rest in peace with those she loved.
OBITUARY
Pauline Ann Slane
22 June, 1923 – 4 August, 2021
IN THE CARE OF
Pauline Ann Slane, age 98, of Westlake, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Pauline was born June 22, 1923.
A memorial mass for Pauline will be held Friday, October 15, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 525 Dover Center Road, Bay Village, Ohio 44140. Inurnment St. Joseph Cemetery, 32789 Detroit Rd., Avon, Ohio 44011
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pauline's memory may be made to:
Legacies Assisted Living, 9031 N. Rogers St. SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316 US
Live Action - Right to Life , 2200 Wilson Blvd., PMB, Arlington, Virginia 22201 US
Kindred Hospice, 625 Kenmoor Ave. SE, Unit 115, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 US.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.corrigancraciunfuneralhome.com for the Slane family.
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DONATIONS
Legacies Assisted Living9031 N. Rogers St. SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316
Live Action - Right to Life 2200 Wilson Blvd., PMB, Arlington, Virginia 22201
Kindred Hospice625 Kenmoor Ave. SE, Unit 115, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
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