Thursday, April 11, 2013

In Honor of My Mom



In honor of my mom - My mother passed away this morning.  I luckily had a chance to talk to her on the phone last week before she went in for a procedure that was expected to be just a simple one. I happened to call home and my Dad gave me the number in her hospital room.  I take great comfort in that conversation.   Over the last five years this blog was a gift - it gave us fun things to talk about and she enjoyed the pictures, especially from my projects around the house and business trips and travel.  She had just seen the post on the trip to Scotland and I'm so glad I included the one of Julia jumping for joy on Arthur's Seat, with snowflakes all around. 

I am re-running the post I did back in April 2009 for April Food Day: Bloggers Fighting Hunger.  In this post I featured her work in the soup kitchen in Auburn, NY.

"What's the picture of? That's my mom, Mary Ann Duffy Ginnerty, in my hometown's soup kitchen at the Episcopal Church at SS. Peter and John, which she ran as a volunteer for four years before moving to the Cape. The local food bank was very important to their efforts. Here's an excerpt from an acticle about the soup kitchen by Christopher Caskey of The Citizen.
(photo by Chet Susslin)

"On Mondays, she calls food banks to see what is available and form a menu. Tuesdays are for defrosting. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, she hits the sales for cheap food, and on Friday she makes last-minute changes to the menu...Each meal has to be balanced, she said. Every person is served soup, a main course, some kind of fruit, a vegetable and juice. However, that doesn't mean there is no variety.Homemade Reuben sandwiches were a recent hit. And people always gobble up a recipe she once found for spaghetti pie, Ginnerty said.“I wouldn't offer anything to my guests that I wouldn't offer to my family,” she added

Back in 2006 they served 6,500 - 7,000 meals a year.

45 comments:

Ashley said...

I am very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful life dedicated to serving others.

A Perfect Gray said...

michelle. when I saw your title, I was so afraid that your mom had passed away. please count me among the many who have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

You are such a lovely "living" tribute to your mom.

all my best, donna

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Marty

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Oh Michelle, you have my deepest sympathy.
I love that your post was a tribute to some very special work by your mother.
Praying for your family.

Connie in Hartwood said...

Michelle, sweetheart, I'm so sorry.

Sending hugs and healing your way,
Connie

Squeak said...

My heart aches for you, Michelle. I am so, so sorry. You're in my thoughts.

An Urban Cottage said...

Michelle,
I'm so, so sorry. What a beautiful tribute. My deepest condolences.
Steve

The Visual Vamp said...

Condolences and love to you and your family. xo xo

Champagne on Tuesdays said...

I'm so very sorry. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

debra @ 5th and state said...

dearest michele

my heart aches for your loss. your tribute to your mom is lovely.
a poem that consoles me in these times is by van dyke, called 'there she goes', it offers comfort.

hugs
debra

Unknown said...

You have my deepest sympathy. May the dear memories you have of your mother continue to sustain you during this difficult time.

Lumen Drops said...

Your mother saw the value in service; a life well-lived, which is a blessing to all who knew her for she was a teacher by her choices. I hope you are comforted in knowing that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I've lost my mother too and this understanding brings me comfort.

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. Having lost my mother in September I know the main....and shock you must be in right now. sending virtual hugs and prayers of healing for you and your family.

The Silver Bunny said...

So sorry ; your Mum was a very special lady.xo

Valerie said...

Condolences to you. I am sorry for your loss.

Fly Away Home said...

I am so sorry about your loss.

Your mom is amazing; which explains why you are as well.

Your tribute is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful mom with us.

xo Beth

Pigtown*Design said...

Michele... so sorry to hear this. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers.
xo

Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home said...

Michele- I am so sorry to hear this. Gosh, to think I saw you bright and happy earlier this week and now you are dealing with this kind of news. You and your family are in my prayers. May your hearts heal with time and may her memory serve as a beautiful reminder of her friendship and the greatness you came from.

Janet said...

What a lovely tribute to your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I, too, count myself lucky that my mother and I spent the day before her death happily together.

PS. The picture is very like the kitchen in my Episcopal Church's parish house where we prepare lunches for those in need.

Katherine said...

Michele, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. You were blessed with a wonderful relationship with your Mother. The cherished memories and the last conversation with her will give you comfort in the days to come.

Sending prayers for you and your family.

Mrs. White said...

I'm not sure I've ever even been here before and linked to you from Little Green Notebook. What a lovely soul your mother sounds like she was and how empty your heart must feel right now. Peace and love upon you and your family

prince snow farm said...

so sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry.

Pat said...

Michele,
I'm so sorry. What a shock it must be and how lucky you could have that chat with your mom. She was certainly talented with her menu planning. What a gift she gave her community.

Renae Moore said...

Michele,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. What a wonderful example of generosity she displayed before you. May God in Heaven give you His peace that passes all understanding and may He wrap you in His arms and comfort you and your family.
xxRenae

Chez Laurel said...

Your mother will be missed, I know, but the memory of her dedication to service and the love, comfort and nourishment it brought to thousands of people -- well, that will always linger in your heart. I am sorry for your loss but surely she is now Heaven's gain.

pve design said...

Michele,
What an honor and a privilege to have a Mom like that.
The apple does not fall far from that tree. You are made from some good stock.
pve

priscilla said...

You had a great mom. So sorry for your loss.

Jennifer Sergent said...

Losing a parent is crushing enough, but an unexpected loss must be that much worse. I'm so very sorry, although I love knowing you had that special conversation with her. I know you will always remember it. Jen

Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood said...

Oh gosh she sounds like such a dear lovely woman. I'm so sorry for your loss. xo

raptee said...

well, this was the last thing I expected to hear today--so very sorry for this huge loss in your life..

AnneHH said...

Dear Michele.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom! I love the photo and the story of the care she took in feeding the needy. What a gift of not only food but love and dignity.
I am so sorry for your loss and so very thankful that you had the chance to speak to her before her procedure. You and all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
xo, Anne

lindsey & lewis said...

I am just one of your faithful readers, but I thought I would share. My little blog shortens the distance between my mother and myself too - the big posts and the little ones - Moms love them all. I know your mom appreciated helping her keep up with your life more than you know. I am very sorry for your loss.

Beverly said...

Michelle,

I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking and praying for you at this time.

Beverly

Francine Gardner said...

To love and cherish a mother is the greatest gift God gave us, as in turn we love and protect our children. I am so sorry for your loss and wish you strength and hope.

bingata744 said...

I am so sorry about your mother -- from what you wrote, she was a huge giver and positively affected many lives and I'm sure she will be remembered with great affection. Thank you for sharing a bit of her story --

Kathleen said...

I'm so sorry. What a terrible shock for you and your family. I'm sending up a prayer. Your were certainly blessed with a loving mother.

for the love of a house said...

Michelle, My condolences to you, your father and to your entire family. What a wonderful lady to have fed so many hungry souls.
wishing you sweet memories...
joan

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this, Michele. What a great thing that you were able to speak to her. Let me know if there is anything I can do!

Windlost said...

Oh dear Michele, I am so sorry and glad I scrolled back through as I would've missed this post. I am so very sad for your loss. I love the photo of her and it sounds like she was a gem of a woman. You summed her up with that short story.
xo Terri

Anne Boykin said...

So sorry for your loss. I'm sure you loved her well.

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Michele-
I am so sad to learn of your mother's passing away. I know how you are feeling now.
This is truly a beautiful tribute to such an obviously gracious and giving person.
Happy Sunday.
Teresa
xoxo

SHERRY HART said...

Michele...I am so sorry to hear this news. I can still remember the day when my Mom took her last breath and it is not an easy time. She sounds like a wonderful caring woman and I know you will miss her.

Unknown said...

Michele,
I just saw this post about your mother. I am truly so sorry for your loss. My mom was in a horrible car accident on Friday, is in the hospital and had surgery this morning. Seeing this reminds me how grateful I am that I can go and see her....as crazy as it will be to try and coordinate my life on this end.

I wish you peace as you deal with her passing. She sounds like an amazingly giving person.
Elizabeth

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Michelle, I send you my deepest sympathy. When our mom's pass it changes the whole dynamics of our families. A sadness that truly never leaves us. What a selfless person Mary Ann, and I admire how she wouldn't serve anything to her guests that she wouldn't serve to her own family.

You and your family are in my prayers.

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