Cynthia Lewis (Passed away 2 Jan 2017)

In loving memory of Cynthia Lewis who sadly passed away on 2nd January 2017

Fri 13th Jan 9 am Glyn Taff

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE:
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, he gave us new birth into a living hope.
Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and I am the Living One; I was dead and now I am alive for evermore.

I welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the name of the family of Margaret Cynthia Lewis, known as Cynthia, whose life we celebrate today. We are here now to honour Cynthia who has died. We are here because in one way or another, this death affects us all. We are here to listen again to some of the great words of the Christian faith. To consider, to remember, and in quiet gratitude, to give thanks for her and our own continuing lives. We are here to renew our trust in God who has said: I will not fail you or desert you.

Let us pray:
Eternal God, the Lord of life, the conqueror of death, our help in every time of trouble, comfort us who mourn. Give us grace, in the presence of death, to worship you; and enable us to put our whole trust in your goodness and mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sing: All Things Bright And Beautiful

PLEASE BE SEATED

EULOGY
Cynthia was born in Abercynon in January 1925 and after leaving school she worked as a domestic and had long working days. She met Harold in the café royal in Pontypridd when he was on leave from the navy and they walked along the common. He remembers liking her legs when she was walking. They were married on 18th December 1948.

They lived in Grovers House in Ty yr Coed, which is Glyn Coch housing estate today, They say the house was haunted, with just the bare essentials, as money was tight ij those days, as rationing was still on, and gas lighting. The entertainment was singing songs from a songbook. Cynthia herself was one of 6 children – a boy and 5 girls , and she and Harold together had 2 children Gwenda and Jennifer, five grandchildren Tammika, Micahel, Katie, James and Samantha, and three great grandchildren Gabriel, Holly and Kristen. Married nearly 70 years

Cynthia worked until the age of 75 years.– Cynthia was a good soldier. She loved her family and would take food from her cupboard to give to anyone she knew who didn’t have anything. She would always put others before herself – kind and thoughtful, and particularly loved small children. Cynthia once took on an extra job just so she could earn some extra money to buy her daughters matching dresses. Jenny remembers her mother singing her to sleep every night, and she also remembers that whatever happened her father’s slippers would be waiting for him and his tea would be on the table when he came home from work. When Jenny was having her second child, Cynthia travelled all the way down to Plymouth to help with the birth of the second child, but when she arrived he had arrived a day early, so the first she think she said when she saw him was “you’re not supposed to be here till tomorrow – now I’m late!” Another thing her daughters remember her saying to the grandchildren was “"Where's your socks you will catch a cold with nothing on your feet!”

Cynthia loved her trips abroad to France, Belgium and Germany with Harold, where they had made friendships which still last today. Later in life went to Brittany – only once did they book a hotel, the rest of the time they stayed with friends and family. Although she loved travelling it took her until she was in her eighties to get to Ibiza. And when they were travelling in this country they always looked out for a Little Chef so Cynthia could have a cup of tea. But wherever she went – family or friends – she wouldn’t stay long. She only really felt comfortable in her own home.

Even with Alzheimers/Dementure she would remember Gabe and ask for him – “my boy”
Let us listen now to the promises of Scripture: let us draw strength and comfort from them, that we might face this hour trusting in the love and faithfulness of God.

Gwen: poem

BIBLE READING
Psalm 121
WORD OF COMFORT

Let us pray:
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life. We thank you for Jesus Christ who lived, died and rose again to fill our lives with a new hope. Today we thank you also for the life of Cynthia and all that she was. We thank you for the memories of Cynthia which we can keep, as a source of comfort and continuing thankfulness. We thank you for those aspects of her life which meant so much to us. We thank you that where Cynthia experienced illness or frustration or difficulty in life, that time is now over. By your grace, help us this day to commit Cynthia into your hands and as we do, grant us your peace, in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Prayer for those who mourn
To your loving care, O God,
we commend those who mourn,
especially Cynthia’s husband Harold,
2 children Gwenda and Jennifer, five grandchildren Tammika, Micahel, Katie, James and Samantha, and three great grandchildren Gabriel, Holly and Kristen
and all her family and friends.
Sustain them in the days to come
with treasured memories of the past
and radiant hopes for the future.
And bring us all at the last to fullness of life
with your saints in the Kingdom of heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PLEASE STAND
COMMITTAL:
“But as the curtains closed the child said to her grandma, "It's a bit like a good play, ain't it Grandma? You're sorry it's over but you're glad you saw it".

O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? Thanks be to
God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said,
‘I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever has faith in me shall live,
even though he dies;
and no one who lives and has faith in me
shall ever die.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love,
so we commend Cynthia into God’s hands.
We commit the body of our sister to be cremated,
trusting in God’s mercy and compassion.
God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There shall be an end to death,
and to mourning and crying and pain, for the old order has passed away.

We have entrusted our sister Cynthia
into the hands of God.
We therefore commit her body to be cremated, (PRESS)
ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
in the sure and certain hope
of the resurrection to eternal life,
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died, and rose again for us,
and is alive and reigns for evermore.

Sing: The Lord’s My Shepherd

*Thanks – no flowers but in lieu donations to Alzheimers society (online page with funeral directors) and everyone welcome to Cwm Welfare afterwards

O Lord,
support us all the days
of this troubling life,
until the shadows lengthen
the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed,
the fever of life is over
and our work done.

Then, Lord, in your mercy
grant us safe lodging,
a holy rest,
and peace at the last
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Exit Music:

POEM:

I’m Still Here

Please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I’m always near
I’m everything you feel, see, or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight
I’m the brightest star on a warm summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.
I’m the colorful leaves when winter comes round
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there’s no one to love you
Talk to me and I will listen.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees
And you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a stranger’s face.
Just look for me…I’m everyplace.