I’m Brekke, Randy’s daughter. This doesn’t fit in a single box, so this is PART ONE OF TWO: 

I wrote this for the annual Water Service at our church. Many Unitarian Universalist churches used to take the summer off, so this would be the big “returning to church and sharing the experiences of the summer” service, much like Homecoming at Grandmother’s church. People would bring water from their travels and at our church, that water is collected in a large container in the minister’s office - the shared experiences and stories becoming part of the blended story of the people of the church over the years. This year, we’re still predominantly meeting virtually on Zoom, so the Water Service was a little different. Some people shared stories of their travels this summer; others related memories of previous trips or of important places where water was important to them in their lives. 

Grandmother passed away a few days before the service, and the image of her at her sink just kept coming back to me as being very important to share, so this is what I wrote to help me be able to talk about it. I also shared a little story about being able to take Dad to my favorite spot on the St. Joseph River earlier this summer when he was in town, because that was also very important and was a very happy memory that I wanted to share with everyone, too.

The sink and the area around it were the heart of my Grandmother's domain. On Birthday Sundays, when the entire family would be gathered, she could often be found there, holding court over conversations, directing lunch traffic, and most importantly, keeping an eye on the occasionally persnickety ice cream freezer, making certain it was doing its job. On a regular Sunday, she could still be found there, doing similar tasks; it was simply to a smaller audience and without the ice cream freezer. (Continued in PART TWO of TWO)


PART TWO of TWO:
That sink was where you were sent to "warsh your hands" and where she was often "warshing the dishes" if one of the other women in the family didn't beat her to it. (Spoiler alert: they rarely beat her to it. At best you could help dry while she worked, but you'd best be fast.) It was where she set up the coffee in the percolator to be ready for her and her Jimmy for the next morning, methodically working through a process she'd clearly done hundreds of times before. She had a newer coffee maker and she occasionally used it, but her grown kids didn't understand her insistence that she and their daddy liked the taste of the perc better. As an adult, I'd almost bet that some of it was purely the routine and the comfort that they both liked better which I understand. Now.

Conversations happened at that sink. Deep thoughts shared, childish fears taken seriously by the woman who would always listen and make space even when she was tired. She might not have much to say about the latest young crisis, but she'd listen as though it were the most important thing she was hearing at that moment (especially if you were drying the dishes at the same time). Laughter and tears and generations of memories passed as fresh water flowed into such a simple space. It overflowed with brightness during the day when everyone was there, but in the evening, as night stole upon the house, it had a quieter glow about it. It remained the place of light as the rest of the house settled into growing darkness. The conversations would be softer, more intimate. It was when she'd share more confidences with you instead of just taking them in. 

On 8 September, her light went out, and my heart aches. But when I thought about water, I kept coming back to the image of Grandmother at her sink and the simple acts of service, love in action, and light she brought into the world with a little water and a whole lot of grace. It was too moving a metaphor to ignore for this water child. --BSF


I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.   Proverbs 31:10 is most befitting for this lovely lady. I remember her fondly. She always had a beautiful smile and gracious manner. I feel my life was enriched by knowing her.
Holding all of you in prayer, as God holds you in His heart.

With deepest sympathy,

My heart goes out to you Chyrl and family. Your mother was always so kind and sweet to me! I know she will be in all your hearts and memories forever!

What a true and beautiful example of a Godly woman my friend Ellen was, and will always remain as she enjoys her heavenly reward.  Her beautiful smile, her kindness and, love for others was her trademark but her Trust and Love for God far exceeds all other things she will be remembered for!   I can only imagine what a beautiful angel she now is!  My thoughts and prayers for my lifelong friend Cheryl and the entire family.  How blessed are you to call sweet Ellen your Mother!  🙏🏻❤️

We certainly enjoyed visiting with her during the years around her birthday.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

OBITUARY

Ellen Perkins Ferguson

October 19, 1929 – September 8, 2021

Owen Funeral Home

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