Marion M. Gannon
Words of Remembrance
April 9, 2012


On behalf of my brothers, Joe and Tom, my sisters, Jane, Regina and Ellyn, my cousins, and all of our families, thank you for coming to this memorial service for my mother, Marion Gannon.  I appreciate all of Mom's relatives and friends who are here today to help us honor and celebrate the life of this wonderful lady.  When I look around this room and see so many familiar faces from all the many aspects of her life, I can't help but think of how many lives she touched, and what a difference she made to all who knew her.   I also want to acknowledge the thoughts and wishes of those who cannot be here due to travel or other circumstances.  Their warm expressions of love and remembrance are further testament to the life that Mom led. 

On the day before Mom died, my brother Tom dreamt that I was giving Mom's eulogy.  I've been honored to offer words of remembrance for other members of my family, but I am especially grateful to have this opportunity today. 

Born in Jersey City, she played with her brother Joe and sisters Blanche and Gina in the park at West Hamilton Place.   Growing up during the Depression, her parents, Regina and Joseph Murphy, instilled in Marion the qualities of hard work, sacrifice, generosity, and compassion for others. 



She was always well dressed and was voted “best dressed” by her High School class.   She had the face and figure to go with the latest fashions and the boys took notice.  She went to her first Senior Prom as a freshman.  As a young woman, Mom worked as a model.  With her sister Gina, she would visit the Marine base in Quantico, VA and contribute to the war effort by dancing with the brave young men in uniform.  

On a double date during World War II, a young Army lieutenant named Joe Gannon became infatuated with those good looks.  Mom was sitting in the front seat of the car with her date and Joe was sitting in the back seat with his date.  But it was Mom and Joe who wound up holding hands.  It was love at first sight and they were married in 1947. 

Mom was a loving daughter, wife and mother.  She cared for her Mother in illness, and her Father lived with us for many years, as did her uncle, Richie.  She also helped care for her niece, Gail.   In addition to raising six kids, she and Dad opened their home to African and Indian exchange students, and a blind teenager, who would visit from time to time.   

She and Dad shared their commitment to Catholicism and marriage with young couples as facilitators for the Pre Cana program for the Archdiocese of Newark.  As Executive Lay Couple for the Archdiocese, they attended National conferences on marriage and life issues. Once, Mom and Dad mentioned to one of the good Sisters in the parish that they were accompanying the Pastor to a Pre Cana Symposium on Rhythm.  Surprised, Sister asked, “What instrument does Father play?”   

Mom was not afraid to try new things.  One day, Dad came home from work and found that Mom did some renovation.  She had taken a sledgehammer to the living room wall to create more space. My brother Joe remembers that she took up smoking in middle age and went to great pains to hide it from her father.   She also began driving around that time.   Not the best behind the wheel, once while at a stop light, she bent down to pick up a $20 bill, took her foot off the break, and rear-ended a police car.  After the New York Jets drafted Joe Namath, she bought a pair of season tickets.   She and Dad would fill their thermoses with Rob Roys and head to the game at Shea Stadium.   Mom's favorite play was the huddle and she would zoom in with her binoculars on Joe Willie's backside.   If the Jets lost, we knew we had two hours to clean the house and prepare dinner before they came home.  

She took ceramic classes with my wife, Mary and sewing classes with my sister Jane.  On her first day in sewing class, Mom complained that she could not get her machine to operate.  The instructor said, “Put your foot down.” “They are down,” she replied.  He repeated, “No, put your foot down.” She insisted, “There're down!”   Exasperated, he said, “Not your foot, the foot pedal on the machine!”  Mom and Jane were thrown out of the class for excessive laughter. 

Mom was funny, but sometimes not intentionally.  Dad called her “Gracie” after the scatterbrained comedian, Gracie Allen.  Tom remembers that she would forget our names, especially when we did something wrong.  Ellyn was always Ethel, and the boys were Pete or Mike.  Mom would go through this litany until she hit on the right name. 

She was also no-nonsense.  She wrote a note to my second grade teacher that read, “Dear Sister, please feel free to discipline Robert in any way you see fit.”  Mom would organize us into work crews to wash down the walls, or stuff thousands of envelops for the Archdiocese.   While visiting her Grandmother one week, my niece, Danielle, asked if she could take a bath.  Danielle was very young at the time and expected a long bubble bath with tons of toys and fun.  Danielle found that Mom had filled the tub with only three inches of water.  There were no toys, just a washcloth and a bar of soap. 

As we got older, Mom went back to work, first for Catholic Charities, and later for Reader's Digest where she was a researcher and legal secretary.  She and Dad eventually retired to Old Bridge, where she became active in Most Holy Redeemer and served as a hospice volunteer.  She loved her neighbors in Society Hill and enjoyed dinners and afternoon tea with her cousin Rita, her dear friend Jane LaDage, Jerry, Rocky and others.  She loved going to Friendly's for ice cream with our daughters, Erin and Kaitlin, when they came home from college. 

She was very stoic, strong, and occasionally stubborn. She didn't want to inconvenience others and would sometimes suffer in pain rather than ask for relief as arthritis began to ravage her body. 

No longer able to remain in her home near the friends she loved so much, her last months were spent at Sunrise at Marlboro where she made new friends and was loved by the staff.   Unfortunately, she broke her hip on her first night. We watched her suffer through a painful hip surgery and rehab, followed by her happiest months at Sunrise, then a second hospitalization and more rehab.  Finally, Jane, Ellyn and I moved her back to Sunrise where she lived her final days under Hospice care, and where she died in peace and dignity, surrounded by loved ones.  

In closing, I want to relate a story that my sister Regina shared with me.  Mom was a great cook and one day, she was whipping potatoes with her mother's potato masher.  Regina was just a child at the time, her nose no higher than the stovetop.  Suddenly, Mom began to cry.  “Why are you crying?” Regina asked.  “I miss my Mother,” Mom answered.  Regina could only say, “I'm sorry.”  Mom then looked down to comfort her daughter as only a mother can, and said “Don't worry, Regina, I'll see her again in heaven.”  And now, dear Mom, you have.  God bless you, we love you, and thank you for everything.

We were so sorry to read about the passing of your mom.  She and your dad were old friends of ours from Our Lady of Mercy Church in J.C.  We were on the Pre-cana team with them as well as choir members with your dad. They were the dearest and sweetest couple and an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Toni, I am deeply sorry for your loss. RIP.

Toni and Family; 
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. We are blessed to have met and enjoyed your Grandmother's warmth and beauty. May she rest in peace. God bless you all. Love, Aunt Dotti and Uncle Eddie

Rest in peace beautiful Marion. May God place you in the palm of his hand and take care of you as he does the sparrow. Now you're in heaven with your husband and your father and you should be happy now.

Mom,You lived your life with dignity and grace and made me who I am today. You were loved by all and will be dearly missed. Rest in peace knowing that your work here is done - now dance with Dad in the glory of God's light. Love you and miss you - Jane

God bless you all.  May this lovely lady be surrounded by angels in heaven.  Amen.
Toni's Facebook friend, Julie-anne

I am so sorry to read of your loss Regina; my sympathy goes out to you and your family.   Liza Graham

I knew Marion and Joe as customers of the bank where I worked, and as members of Most Holy Redeemer.  Thoughts of this lovely lady and her true gentleman always bring a smile to my face. I hope your family will be comforted by knowing that their presence brought joy to many

Dear Jane,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you cherish the memories of your mom and may those memories bring you comfort during the days ahead. God bless you and your family. 

Terri Graham

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Marion M Murphy Gannon

15 mars 1924 – 4 avril 2012

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