In loving memory
Mary Macaulay Cabot
November 13, 1926 - January 4, 2010
and she laughs at the days to come.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
She watches the conduct of her household,
and eats not her food in idleness.
Her children rise up and praise her;
her husband, too, extols her:
"Many are the women of proven worth,
but you have excelled them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward of her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
-Proverbs 31
Born in Swissvale, PA, Mary worked at the Charles Edward Photography Studio and married the late Eugene Anthony Cabot in 1951. Much loved by her children, Kathy (Joe) Uram of Harrisburg, PA, Michael (Barb Arabia), Martin (Deb Ciranni), Nancy (Bush) Prisby, Jim (Kathy), and David, all of Pittsburgh, PA, grandchildren Devon, Zachary, Meaghan, and Sam, and in-laws, nieces, nephews, her cousin, and friends. Retired employee and volunteer at Montefiore Hospital in Oakland, PA. Longtime member of St. Maurice Parish in Forest Hills where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, carrying Communion to homebound parishioners in the church community as well as to the sick at UPMC Montefiore.
The loving, kind-hearted compassion Mary brought to these visits was returned in kind by those who received it. Nominated in 1999 by then-pastor, Fr. Robert Franco, she received the "Manifesting the Kingdom" award from Bishop Donald W. Wuerl. Her warm, caring personality and great wit earned her the love and respect of family, friends, and colleagues. Mary spent her final years living with dementia. All her good came back to her through the prayers and support of family and friends, and the comprehensive care she received from a network of wonderful, dedicated people who, like Mary, carry out God's work through serving others. The Cabot family extends heartfelt thanks to all.
It's a feeling no one can describe.
~*~
I hope you have a good life, Sam - a happy one and a fulfilling one. I hope you will feel the pride of being independent, the satisfaction of learning new things - from your first step through all your "firsts."
~*~
I especially hope that when you make important decisions,
you will try to imagine what you will think of those decisions five years down the road.
If you make a decision that's not quite right,
admit it and forgive yourself - we've all made some of those.
If you make one that is silly -
laugh about it - we've all made those too.
If you make a decision that is right and feels good,
be proud of yourself - you will have earned it.
~*~
If it is your life's plan to have children of your own, then I hope you will see your child's or children's children and know what I am feeling now.
~*~
Jokes abound of "the in-laws"... but mum could never be described in such a way. She did enjoy a good chuckle though and provoked laughter all the way to her final days. From the day we first met she was a reassuring and calming presence. With open arms and heart she welcomed me as family, prayed when I traveled and celebrated my triumphs. She was unwavering in character, compassion and affection... someone you could always count on. That is how I will remember this special friend of mine.
January 8, 2010
Funeral Mass
concelebrated by Father John Skirtich and Father Peter Horton
Music Liturgy led by Dr. Brent Alexander
Processional - "Be Not Afraid"
First Reading - Marygrace Reder ~ Proverbs 31:25-31
"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Second Reading - Marygrace Reder ~ 1Corinthians 13:4-13
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Gospel - Father John ~ Mark 10:13-16
Intercessions - Marygrace Reder
Prayer of the Faithful
Response: " Lord, Hear Our Prayer"
- In Baptism, Mary received the light of Christ, and dedicated her life to reflecting His light in this world. Scatter the darkness now and lead her back to her place with You.
- For families of those afflicted with dementia, that they find the grace and wisdom to help their loved one LIVE with the disease, rather than simply preparing them to die with it.
- For caregivers, who show compassion and respect as they assist those with failing bodies and failing minds, that their works of mercy are returned to them in full, according to Your plan.
- For doctors and scientists, that they use the gifts you've bestowed on them to discover new ways to detect and heal dementia and other diseases which destroy vitality and steal precious memories.
- For Mary's family and friends, and most especially for her children, that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. May they find comfort in the knowledge that she remains with them always, until they join her in their own time.
- Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone.
- For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom.
Offertory Hymn - "On Eagles Wings"
Presentation of the Gifts - Sam, Kathy and Jim Cabot, Kathy Uram and Mike Cabot
Communion Hymn - "Gentle Woman"
Reflection - "Ave Maria"
Commendation - "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
Recessional - "Here I Am Lord"
