Sunday night the 4th of August we had a dinner at Margaret's house to celebrate the life that Mootize led, and as you can imagine with a huge family, it was a little crazy, but we were able to hear a few stories of Mootzie. I went with my mom to visit Mootz at Sunrise about 2 months ago, it was hard to see her in a wheel chair not being able to say anything but mumbled baby talk. There were a few things that we could understand, the only ones that I remember were: She looked at me and said in a stuttering voice, "I re-re-remember you." and then she tried to say my name, "Mar-mar" and I helped her in saying it. I was so happy to know that she recognized and remembered me. What a blessing! The best was when we were leaving and she said, "I love you." A great goodbye!
Lance, liv and Tyson and I went to visit her the Monday night before she passed away, we knew she had had a stroke and that her days were numbered. We went to Sunrise and I was very thankful to a cute old man in the lobby who asked if we wanted a bag of popcorn, of coarse Liv did and he even gave some to us. I was so grateful for this distraction when we got to Mootzie's room. She looked so skinny and not well, almost as if she had already passed away. She was completely unresponsive, but it was a good chance for me to say my goodbyes and thank her for all she had done for me. Thank goodness I had come with my mom a few times or I wouldn't know that I just need to talk to her even if the words don't make sense or they don't come at all. Julie Patterson was actually with her when she passed away, she just had the feeling to go see her after work. She said she stayed for 30 min (which is a long time to talk with someone that is not talking back and just as she was going to leave she heard a voice in her head say, "Stay for another 30 minutes and if she hasn't passed away by then you can go." So she stayed and watched as Mootzie's breaths grew further and further apart until there were not more breathes. She helped dress her and was given the pearls that mootzie was dressed in that night. What an amazing experience to have had. And I think it was truly interesting that it was Mootzie's youngest granddaughter who was the one to share it with her. Full Circle.
Thank you to Mootzie for your generous spirit in every way...If there was one thing we learned about Mootzie from her funeral, it would be that she was generous. Generous to everyone that she knew and even those she didn't. Generous with her money, her time and mostly her love! We will miss you Mootz!!!!
These great grandkids were cute to be there to show their love to Mootzie.
Coby and Tiff showing the love
Mootzie looked great, she had a lot of life in her cheeks and although her body was quite literally skin and bones, she was beautiful! I loved this moment, as hard as it was to watch, it makes you really appreciate the closeness of your family, and these four, all as different as they are shared this moment beautifully in the closeness that they have!
The girls in the family wearing the many hats of Mootzie. This was for two reasons. 1. Mootz loved hats, her closet was full of them and 2. To symbolize the many hats that Mootzie wore during her life. Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, neighbor, confidant, sister, aunt, and so many more.
Sara: I put this picture of Sara in here to share the wonderful bonding moment that we shared. Sara and I have both lost our dads and in sharing that same grief, made this one that much more difficult, but special. She said her good byes to Mootz and then I did, she and I both had tears in our eyes and we could, in the moment, share unsaid words of compassion and grief for one another. It is through the hardest moments in life where you grow the closest to those around you and Sara, I feel closer to you than ever now. Just want you to know! Love you!
All but 3 of Mootzie's 20 grandkids: Missing Bob, Johnny P. and Pat (who was there but must have just missed the picture,) What a great legacy!
Me and my sisters (Sara wishing you were here with us!)
The grandsons as pallbearers:
Singing their tribute to Mootzie in the songs she always loved and sang around the campfire:
"The campfire Song"
Here at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, where Mootzie will be buried with her brothers and family.
Ben, Whitney and mason oh so cute!
Mootzie's old ward, that she has not been a part of for about 3 years since she has been living at Sunrise assisted living, was so great to our family, hosting the funeral services for us and serving us a wonderful and beautifully prepared dinner. A many thanks to all who helped!
This is a poem that my mom wrote about Mootzie describing her in so many ways and all the many things that we loved and will miss about her.
MARVELOUS, MAGICAL ‘MOOTZ’
Marvelous Mootsie is just so much fun,
And it’s magical how she can get so much done!
She can cook yummy stuff while she warms up her car,
Then drive us to places to play, near and far!
She can tell you your ‘fortune’ and host parties too,
If you had her backyard well, why wouldn’t you?
And just when you think she’ll sit down and unwind,
She’ll get up and at it’ and back to the grind!
Taking off to Sedona or up to Bear Lake
After hosting a gala she’d say, ‘piece of cake’!
And when there are things that could cause ‘grandma’ strife
She’s puts on a smile and then tells you “that’s life!”
She’s a little bit young and a little bit old,
She’s directed the Symphony, so we’ve been told!
She’s traveled the world and taken us too,
On our twelve year old trips, just to mention a few!
Has a ‘magic wand’ that can conjure the sun,
A ‘lover-of-life prize’, she sure could have won!
How lucky can we twenty grand-children be,
To have grown up with someone as awesome as she!
She’s created the best out of all of her days,
Brought joy to others in so many ways!
She has loved the lord as she’s lived life with ‘zest’!
And now we’re so grateful that she gets to rest!
Hurrying on her merry way!
She can talk to a fly and summon the sun,
If you need a car, she’ll lend you one!
Never much to fret or fear,
She’s just too busy spreading cheer!
Her community service is admired,
And if there’s a gala, she’s never too tired!
Not ‘lighting long, she loves to roam,
The world, Sedona or her Bear Lake home!
Yes she’s unique above the rest,
To anything she adds the ‘zest!
As Mom and Mootz she’s at your side,
Full of that maternal pride!
Lifting others thru the years,
In happy times or days with tears!
We are so blessed to have walked her way!
She is the magic in our day!
