Scott's Memorial Service - March 31, 2011

Mary Ellen Ireland, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain, St. Mary's Regional Cancer Center shared the following message after attending Scott's memorial service:

I want to share my impressions from the service held March 31st for Scott. Being a chaplain, I have officiated and attended many services over the past 10 years, none more genuine or sincere. Many tears were shed. Scott's brother David talked about how much Scott meant to him. One story he told was that Scott did not have a handicap sticker for his van because he wanted to leave those spaces for others who needed them. David was driving Scott's van and without thinking parked it in a handicap space. When he came out there was an $80 ticket on the windshield. David said Scott got such a good laugh about that.

Scott's longtime caregiver, Kimberly told us that she and Scott shared an affinity for Shakespeare. She proceeded to quote these lines from Romeo and Juliet: When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night, And pay no worship to the garish sun. Also quotes from Scriptures 2nd Timothy: 4-6 and Rev: 21 so perfectly fitting, and from the book of Pooh: If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you. Another of Scott's caregiver's read beautifully the entire poem of the Cremation of Sam McGee, even through her tears.

Scott's neighbor, Dean told us that Scott always seemed to know everything that was going on in their neighborhood. Mr. Carter and another classmate drove from San Diego to attend the service. He spoke of Scott's superior athletic abilities. I came away from the service with the realization that Scott had surrounded himself with high quality people. He had high standards and the mutuality of his relationships was remarkable. Scott definitely gave as much or more care than he received. His influence on so many people was obvious. He will not be forgotten.

Scott's van was given to a member of our Spinal Cord Injury Support Group. Miscellaneous medical equipment and supplies are being donated to others with injuries in our community as well as to the organization Project Cure that sends supplies overseas.

Mary Ellen Ireland
Board Certified Clinical Chaplain
St. Mary's Regional Cancer Center
750 Wellington
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 298-2590
mary.ireland@stmarygj.org

From Romeo & Juliet

2nd Timothy: 4-6 The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.

Rev: 21: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain... The book of Pooh :