"In Memory of Kathy" by Jeff Raynor
Our World changed on December 21, 2012. Kathy has been remarkable and courageous throughout. It has helped us deal with the given outcome of losing her. She & I last spoke August 27. Fortunately she had reinforced this point with me every day since last December:
Have no fear for giving in - Have no fear for giving over
You’d better know that in the end - It’s better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again. - Say what you need to say!
According to her wishes, - let me be clear now in case I get too emotional, - This is a celebration of Kathy and her driving authenticity that touched you all.
I am pleased to see so many of Kathy’s family, friends and fans here today. I know that many of you have traveled to be here and she would be sincerely appreciative. Some of you here may have only heard of me. My name is Jeff, Kathy’s best friend for 42 years, her husband of 36 years this past Sept. 25th
Kathy was a remarkable woman who always sought the best in people and gave endlessly to those around her. As the lucky one she chose as her husband, my appreciation of her authenticity attracted my love and she made me a better person every single day. I did confess to her that the moment I set eyes on her, I knew she was the one for me.
A Catholic University professor/priest once asked a class “What is the purpose of marriage?” After his class offered the standard answers of “children, love, companionship, etc.”, he answered them “The primary purpose is for spouses to help save each other’s souls.”
Kathy will always be my soul mate; it’s hard to believe that God thought she was done with me.
She taught me the simple pleasure of the true feeling of gratitude. Also, perhaps more importantly, how to be truly genuine & authentic. She brought out the best of everybody she encountered, sometimes with brutal facts, sometimes with encouragement, always with purpose - filled compassion.
Kathy & I enjoyed all the locations in the world that we lived. She was an invaluable help as an international chief of protocol; something she did professionally in healthcare here in Charlotte. We spent more than half our life together here in Charlotte. That was our choice; she helped me get to know so many of you. She was happy to hear our children proudly declare” they are from Charlotte”.
Kathy has built close personal friendships with so many of you. Each of you has at least one of your own “Kathy Story” to tell. One “Kathy Story” recently shared with me was from a family that was touched by her unique passion for service and gratitude in caring for others that I saw daily. Suffice to say, the photo they shared with me from over 11 years ago of their happy, healthy small child in my happy Kathy’s arms was beyond heartwarming.
Jesus said, “Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” We all have experienced Kathy’s authenticity. For Kathy was unconditional, almost “childlike”, in her love for people – especially her family. She is surely in the kingdom that God has prepared for those who love Him.
From Romans 8: “And then we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Beloved Kathy, my beautiful bride, my best-est friend, enjoy God’s eternal peace.
Your spirit lives on in the hearts of all the people she touched in her life. [615]
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