Sue Ashworth

I’ve used the following sentence of today’s message at one or two other funerals or memorial services….it is especially true today. Here it is:

I don’t want to be here! I’d rather be almost anywhere else, and I’ll bet some of you feel the same way! This is hard. Death is hard. Death seems especially cruel when it happens unexpectedly. Although many of us have said it was wonderful for Sue… to go to sleep in her own home and wake up in heaven…for those of us still living it is difficult.

And yet, as much as I wish this hadn’t happened — as much as I wish I wasn’t here-- there’s nowhere else I would rather be! To gather with other people who loved Sue, to take comfort from each other, to share the stories, look at the photos, and even to enjoy some laughter, is a real blessing. So let me thank you again for being here, and for sharing your love and support with Sue’s family.

Before I chat a little about Sue, I must remind you that I don’t believe God did this. God didn’t decide that heaven needed another heavenly seamstress or gardener or baker and plucked Sue away. But as her body gave up, God was with her, and welcomed her to her new home, where she would be free from pain, doubt and fear.

I’ve known Sue well for over 10 years. She was one of the first people I bonded with when I came to Holy Trinity. Most of you have known her much longer, so I can only imagine the pain her death has caused.

Sue was very responsible as a child. When her dad died suddenly when she was only nine, she helped her mom with her younger sisters. This gave her the life-long desire to have a big family. She and Ron married in 1975, and they welcomed their first child, Todd, in 1979. Todd was followed by Kyle, and finally Veronica, and their family was complete.

The family lived in a farmhouse where Sue enjoyed raising the children. She also enjoyed raising goats, chickens, and horses. Her favorite horse was named Treasure.

I love the fact that at almost 40 years old, she decided to go back to school! She attended Tri-C, where she got certified as a respiratory therapist. She got a job at Metro, and spent her entire career working there. Sue spent a lot of her time caring for babies in the NICU. While that must have been hard, it only served to deepen her strong faith and trust in God.

Sue was a member here at Holy Trinity and was active in a number of capacities. She was currently serving on Church Council, she helped make some of the banners here, she loved to bake and often brought her famous blueberry lemon cake to events …

my husband, Kurt, loved the fact that she always saved him a piece! That famous cake was even mentioned on the tribute wall of her obituary!

One of the many things Sue will be remembered for around here was her work on the Prayer Garden. She loved gardening, had a gorgeous backyard, and shared that talent with us at church. In fact, your pastor promises that we will plant a Magnolia tree near the Prayer Garden in memory of Sue and in her honor.

Sue loved many things. Besides animals, birds and fish, gardening, baking and sewing, did you know that she also loved classical music, Godzilla, and Star Trek? It’s true!

But her favorite love was her family. Sue loved her husband, children, and grandchildren with a fierce and passionate love. I believe she will continue that love from her next life.

Now to do a really good job on the homily, a pastor has to also be honest…none of us are perfect and Sue was no exception. Veronica shared that she was the most stubborn person she knew! And also that although she loved family gatherings, she wasn’t great about planning them well in advance … so there are a few very human qualities and I’m sure many of us can relate!

Last Sunday was Easter Sunday — the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Most of you know the story — Jesus made the Pharisees scared as well as the Romans. He was gathering too much power, and so he was tried, beaten, and put to death. Jesus had told his disciples that he would die, but on the third day he would rise. And that’s exactly what happened! I told the story from the gospel of John, which included Mary Magdalene weeping outside the tomb. When Jesus appeared to her, she didn’t recognize him — but he simply said her name — Mary — and just like that, she knew it was her Lord. One of the points of my Easter sermon was that Jesus knows each of us by name and loves us just as we are. Jesus loves you just as you are. Jesus loved Sue just as she was.

So when Sue got to heaven, she was greeted by name! There was a celebration. Every single Sunday we celebrate a little Easter at church. We remember that Jesus died and rose again and we share the promise of eternal life — and not just new life in heaven —but new life anytime we want it here on earth. So, as sad as we are for ourselves, we rejoice in the fact that Sue is alive and well. That she is free from pain, and that she was welcomed and called by name when she got to her new home.

Everyone who knew and loved Sue carries her in our hearts. When we are facing difficulties or challenges, we might wonder what would Sue do and remember her wisdom and good advice. We never have to worry about her health or pain again. Sue is safely in God’s care, free from worry and pain, and probably busy working in a heavenly garden! Amen.

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