We are here today to celebrate the life of Florence Ryberg born January 23 1923 died
September 5 2003. Needless to say I did not know Florence for as long as all of you but
as we all know it didn't take long to get to know her. She welcomed you into her world with
truth and an easy affection, warm embraces and that distinctive way she held her head as
her eyes twinkled up at you.
I cannot pretend to know how it feels to lose Florence as all of you have lost her...a loving
mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. She was a woman who
despite her hardships always chose love. Woman who constantly made lemonade when she
was handed lemons. Who put into practice these words of his Holiness the Dalai Lama:
"We can let the circunstances of our lives burden us so that we become increasingly
resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften and make us kinder. We always have the
choice."
Florence despite a rough start in life always chose love. Like those ferns that grow up
thru a tiny crack in the cement, Florence always found a way to grow, seeking the light
even in the most unyielding environments.
Florence loved life, always thinking of others especially her beloved family. Her children,
Ellain, Terry, Betty Jean, her grandchildren, Cody, Eric and Joshua her in laws Bill and
Wally. She sadly mourned the death of her other daughter Pixie.
She loved her home, her gardens and her fish. Once when she was in some discomfort I
asked her to remember a pleasant memory. Her eyes shone as she spole of her husband
John showing me his picture. She was so proud of him and proud to be his wife. She also
remembered early on walking the hills of Dedham and a boyfriend of hers playing the
harmonica. In honor of that memory Rick Bickford of our Bereavement Counselor will
play "Amazing Grace" on the harmonica.
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