Imprinted on a paver near the Lake Harriet Band Shell in Minneapolis. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
TYPICALLY I DON’T READ obituaries, unless I recognize the name of the deceased.
But perhaps I should.
This week, thanks to a Michigan blogger (click here), I learned about 85-year-old Mary A. “Pink” Mullaney of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, who recently died. She left quite a legacy, as noted in her obituary.
For example, Pink advised going to church with a chicken sandwich tucked inside your purse. To feed the homeless.
Feed the hungry, kiss babies, visit those in nursing homes…the list of Pink’s empathy and care for others is lengthy.
She also offered practical advice on shoeing away possums (use a barbecue brush), reuse of panty hose (tie up the toilet flapper, for one) and a place to keep your car keys (under the front seat).
You simply must read Pink’s obit. Click here. I promise you will laugh and cry and reflect on how you live your life.
The second obituary to catch my attention, for Barry Corder, 58, of Cottonwood, Minnesota, was published in The Redwood Falls Gazette, the newspaper from my home county. He recently died unexpectedly.
When I read the paragraph about Barry making news at age 12 under the headline, “Local Boy’s Creation Responsible for Hundreds of People Reporting UFO Sightings,” I knew I was reading about an extraordinary man.
He was, like Pink, a generous person of faith, often bartering or giving away his family’s possessions, always helping others. You need only read the condolences to Barry’s family to understand the kind of man he was and the impact he made on others.
The obit paragraph that grabbed my attention, though, noted the problem of what to do with a 200-pound block of cheese that Barry made:
Survived by…his wife, Deanna, Cottonwood (who is trying to figure out what to do with 200 pounds of cheese), five sons, two daughters (who do not want the cheese) and four daughters-in-law: Antje, Nikki, Amanda and Susan (who cannot wait to sample said cheese), 16 grandchildren (who will end up eating much of the cheese) and numerous nephews and nieces (who will be getting cheese for Christmas).
In their grief, Barry’s family honors the husband/father/grandfather/uncle who made them laugh by sharing his wit in an obit laced with humor. What a suitable tribute.
You simply must read Barry’s obit. Click here. I promise you will laugh and cry and reflect on how you live your life.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Fabulous and just what I needed to read this morning! Pink was my kind of lady. I had to muse over the “leave the labels on the magazines” because I always take those off when I donate them to the library. I will think about this the next time I peel one of those off. The cheese references were priceless—how wonderful that the families of these two embraced their loved ones and their humor even in death. Thanks, Audrey.
I felt the exact same way when I read these two obits. I would have liked to have known Pink and Barry.
That is fantastic. writing obits with humour is so much more real. I would hate a gloomy one. Oh and pass me some of that cheese! c
I agree. And I also thought, why not serve the cheese at Barry’s funeral?
Not enough time 😦 We did, however, serve chicken sandwiches that Dad had canned.
Sarah, first of all, you have my deepest sympathies. To lose your dad so unexpectedly and at such a young age is difficult.
I love that you honored your dad by serving chicken that he had canned. He sounds like a wonderful man, who lived his faith, loved others with great depth and always thought of others before himself. You were blessed beyond measure to call him your father.
Reblogged this on It's Just Life and commented:
I very rarely reblog anyone else’s blog here but today I felt that this one was meant to be shared. Please read what Audrey over at Minnesota Prairie Roots shared—and make sure you click on the links she posts. It will positively make your day! Enjoy.
Thank you, Beth Ann. You are a sweetheart to share this story on your blog.
I just loved it so it was meant to be passed on !
Thank you.
I saw the one for Pink on facebook – what a hoot she must have been. Now on to read Barry’s!
Ok, that is awesome. I love when a person’s faith is clearly articulated before a wide audience!
Me, too.
Yes, to have known Pink would have been wonderful.
Came over here from Beth Ann’s blog, and what a wonderful post! I especially love the idea of taking a sandwich to church to feed the homeless. What wonderful people Barry and Pink must have been. Thanks for helping them live on your post and now in our hearts!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Welcome via Beth Ann’s blog. Isn’t she great?
When I read those two obits, I knew I had to share them with my readers. They were that uplifting and inspiring.
I’d love to subscribe to your blog, Audrey, but I can’t figure out how to do so by email. Is that an option?
Kathy
Kathryn, I just added an email subscription option. You will find it on the top right hand column on my homepage. I appreciate that you pointed this out as I only had subscribing via RRS feed as an option. I look forward to having you among my readership. Please comment. I love reader interaction.
Loving the title of your post – ha! – had to figure out what was with the 200 pounds of cheese! “Pink” sounds a lot like my dad’s mom – that woman was so selfless, helpful, kind, and resourceful:) Happy Week!
Thanks, Renee. Your paternal grandmother sounds as wonderful as Pink.
I used to write obits for people when they needed help. I loved hearing the stories of people’s lives & how their loved ones viewed them. Love the cheese one!
What an interesting job to help others, in their time of grief, to write obits. For what publication did you write these?
I worked for the Winnipeg Free Press for nine & a half years – the best years there were the ones where I worked in Obituaries.
Thank you. I’m a former news reporter, too, but did not write obits.
At the Winnipeg Free Press, obituaries was a part of classified advertising. I disliked taking classified ads but loved working on the obituary side.
OK, any particularly interesting obits that you can remember?
Nothing comes to mind at this point. Mostly I just remember how grateful the mourners were for making this most difficult activity for them so much easier. I learned a lot about my capacity for compassion during this time.
It sounds like you were the perfect person to meet with grieving families and compose obits.