{ Motherless Daughters } uniting those experiencing motherloss

Our Stories

Bridget's Story

The following is what I said at my Mom's Funeral. It was short, sweet, to the point and totally mom. I am a musican. The only way I could go through with it was I had to be in the performers mode. The place was packed with family and friends and I brought them to tears when I sang one of mom's favorate songs at the end. The 'Take a deep breath' ect... was for me. It was something that I needed to do to get me though. My mom died of lung cancer and complications to a car accident on July 12, 1999 at 53 years old. I was 29 and my brother was 25. We miss her.

Take a deep breath. Take another one. You can do this. Look up and talk.

Ellen Keenan was born in Moline IL. On December 22, 1946. She was the only daughter of William and Mary Jane Burgess. She moved to Texas in 1995 and hasn't missed the snow from up north since. She worked at Temerlin McClain for twelve years. She also worked at Hallmark, North East Mall Customer Service desk, and The Grapevine Library.

Take a deep breath. Take another one. You can do this. Look up and talk.

On my way home last night from the visitation I was thinking of what I would miss the most about my mom. I will miss her laugh. I will miss her smile. I will miss her sitting in her recliner watching TV. I will miss the way she rolled her eyes at me everytime I came home all excited about getting something that had anything to do with Star Wars. I will miss her saying "I'll be here" When I tell her that I will see her tomorrow. We will all miss her very much.

Her family, friends and co-workers loved her. She was a warm, loving, compassionate woman who would be there at the drop of a hat if anyone would call her. Our friends didn't call her Mrs. Keenan or Ellen, they called her Mom. She loved spoiling her "grandchildren" She would always send cards to them for any type of holiday.

She was a sports fanatic. If there was Football, Baseball or basketball on at anytime she would watch it. Especially the Chicago Cubs, Greenbay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and the Chicago Bulls. I remember when I would be on with friends on the phone and mom would be screaming at the TV because her team wasn't doing well. And she would always take days off in March during the College basketball playoffs.

Her children were the most important things in her life. She would have done anything for us. She was there for the important days like Graduations, recitals, and concerts. Our parents taught us that no matter who you are it's the person inside those counts.

She loved music. Her favorite group was the Beatles. I remember seeing Paul McCartney in Texas Stadium about nine years ago. Watching her singing, yelling, and saying "Oh he is just SO cute" was seeing her like a teenager.

There are so many memories about her that we will treasure forever.

On behalf of the family, I would like to thank all of you for the thoughts and prayers for us. We deeply apprehetate it.

Take a deep breath. Take another one. You can do this. Sing for her.

It's in every one of us
To be wise
Find your heart
Open up Both your eyes
We can't all know everything
With out ever asking why
It's in every one of us
By and By

Š Bridget Keenan

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