About a week ago, Betty was complaining to a couple of different friends that she wanted to go home. She was thinking of all the things she wanted to do. One of those things was to rake leaves! Betty had been busy all her life, and it was hard to be inactive.

And what a life she had! 96 years of activity. 96 years of working, parenting, volunteering, cruising, and caring for others.

10 years ago when I met Betty, one of the first things she asked me was about my name. My first married name was Wagar, and Betty knew some people by that name. Turned out the people she knew were my first in laws, Gerry and Gretchen, and Betty knew them from Eastern Stars. So I think that helped to form an instant bond between us.

It didn’t take me long to realize what a powerhouse she was! Even in her mid 80s she was still a vibrant force to be reckoned with. She continued to be active in Eastern Stars, she volunteered at the food pantry, and if you attended Holy Trinity, Betty was the first person you saw as she opened the door for you.

As a young woman, Betty worked in the Brunswick school system. She raised Kevin and Heidi. She was a dedicated baseball mom. In fact, one of my favorite stories about her was that Betty was somewhat famous as a baseball mom for bringing slushies to the games. Her good friend, Jan, was quick to tell me that these weren’t for the ball players, they Were adult slushies and were enjoyed by many of the parents.

Betty was one of the lucky people who had two loving men in her life. Not only was she married for many years to her husband, Kenneth,

but after he died in the late 90s, she and Sam became wonderful companions. They enjoyed traveling together, they attended church together, and in Sam’s last year on earth Betty took tender care of him.

Before I became a pastor, I was in the fashion industry and so I must confess that I enjoyed seeing Betty every week to see what she was wearing! She had great clothes. I would often comment and Betty would say, “oh I’ve had this for years,”. I suspect she did because in the ten years I’ve known her, I seldom saw the same outfit twice!

This last year was tough. Sam’s passing was difficult, she wasn’t feeling well, she got tired easily, and she ended up needing to be cared for in a rehab facility.

I am so great full (and I know Betty is) of the many friends from Holy Trinity who visited her. Jan, Leila, Donna, Mary

Ellen, Linda, and Paula all brought joy and laughter to her life. Tom and Ardy brought joy and laughter too, and they took her communion regularly, as well as tasty treats like ice cream and stollen.

The last few months were difficult. Betty had good days and bad days. Her

friends were great about reporting to me on her condition. They were always quick to tell me that on the good days she was sharp and funny. She seemed to spend lots of time remembering happier times.

As I said at the beginning, Betty really wanted to go home. And because funerals are for the living, I remind you that Betty is now home. God has promised that we will never really die. I heard a pastor say at one point that death is simply change, that we continue the best parts of us. Betty is alive and well, she is with the people she loved who went on before her. She might even be raking leaves! God loves Betty just like God loves each of us, and I firmly believe we will all be reunited someday. In the meantime, though, we’ll cherish our memories and look to Betty’s life as an example of energy, love, and service. Amen

Because we are so close to Christmas, I asked that we take a minute to reflect on Betty’s life and legacy as we listen to that beloved German carol, Silent Night.