Dear Tony, Vernon, and Sandra
Cc: To be shared with all your Family members & friends
Thank you for inviting Betty and myself to attend Shirley’s Funeral mass. I am sorry Betty was unable to attend due to her current problems with her right hip having attention. She is very disappointed too.
I am pleased to say Shirley’s Funeral Mass service was organised, 'par excellence', by your son Vernon who certainly did a wonderful job, taking charge of all the planning. I cannot fail to compliment Vernon and his wife Sandra for all they have done right through Shirley’s illness as you, one of my very best friends who spoke highly of them almost daily, found it very hard to endure because of your great love for Shirley, and you never failed to mention all the specifics of what Vernon was doing to help you. I admire Vernon for his commitment and dedication. What a wonderful son.
We all know how hard it is for you, now, being alone, how knowing how especially close you and Shirley were. With support from your dear family members and friends, you must get back to full strength taking care of yourself which is very important. It will be difficult, but you must muster up all your courage and fortitude, besides, your family and friends are close at hand.
As a little token of remembrance, I enclose some video clips and photographs taken at the funeral mass with some photos taken at random at the wake, actioned at the last moment with your permission. P.S. If anyone wishes to have their photos removed, please let me know and I will do the needful immediately, taking note that I had not asked for permission from individuals at the wake whilst I was clicking away. Mea Culpa.
I know it is not common practice to take photos at funerals, but as we see all VIP’s and Royalties have their funerals televised and shared with the world, all my most loyal friends deserve the same. Both you and Shirley are so popular with friends and relatives across the globe, and it would be an honour to have you freely share my little gift with all of them. You have my total permission.
To conclude, the funeral mass was excellent, conducted by Presider Father Akobundu Anyanwu and Concelebrant Father Richard De Lord our very own priest from our Paradise Island Zanzibar.
I must compliment the choir group who were excellent too. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity of taking a photograph of them. However, do enjoy the choir via my video recordings attached below.
Tony, please convey our Congratulations to your son Vernon for all his organising and planning in giving Shirley a grand send-off to the next world where in time we will all be united again.
Also, The Eulogy by Vernon De Lord was great and very touching with words well-spoken and which will always be remembered. “The De Lord’s are blessed” as the lovely surname (De Lord) says it all and I am so proud to say both your brother Joe and you are our very special family friends.
Much love and admiration, to your family. God bless.
Love and best wishes,
Benny and Betty
First Reading - read by Charles De Lord
Second Reading - read by John De Lord
Gospel Reading - Father Richard De Lord
Homily - Father Richard De Lord
Bidding Prayers read by Jacqueline De Lord and Isabel Heredia
Bidding Prayers read by Jacqueline De Lord and Isabel Heredia
Offertory Hymn - Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord?
Holy Communion
Eulogy by Vernon De Lord
Closing Hymn
Final Blessing
Recessional Music - End of Funeral Mass
Our Paradise Island ..Archipelago!
Paradise Island Organisations. Paradise Island University?
Dear Benito,
I am glad you have recovered enough, to bring us precious video of the Grand Final Send-off of dear Shirley De Lord to Her Eternal Everlasting Reward ...
You have No idea, what it has done and is doing to me to be able to SEE with my eyes the Old Familiar Place - Church of the Sacred Immaculate Hearts Hale Lane Mill Hill, Middlesex UK, I celebrated so many Joys, Glories, and Happy moments - wedding, Holy Week, Christmas and just regular daily Holy Mass when I visited with my very own extended Cardozo De Lord Pinto ... Family Members from Zanzibar Mombasa and Uganda.
It is walking distance from Joseph De Lord married to my sister-in-law Genny the sister-in-law of Shirley and I was given a link to Livestream last Friday but could not access/ open it. I have previously 'participated in funerals there, but there was no Live Stream when My Mother-in-law Mrs Cardozo went to her resting place from there, Aug 1990 and when my brother-in-law Peter Mc Dermott (married to Dr. Lally Cardozo) Sept 1999...
God - who made us all One Family of St Joseph Zanzibar...chose you to be the one to bring this to me.
God Bless all who accept that St Joseph is the Third Heart in the Holy Family seen reflected by any Father Son and Holy Spirit of the Mother who is the Third Person..
Here in America May 8-14 is the week we celebrate Individual Moms Mothers who carried - for nine months...ion their bodies the children ... without whom life would cease to exist...
Shirley De Lord and all the Lords ...
Your dear Betty your mom your sisters in laws and your uncountable women friends (and that exercise group on your street?) have made possible all the joys you bring us. Today and have brought us ever since I have known you for more than 70 years and counting.
Remembering my days in our Very Blessed Goan Institute / Greek Bakery / Mrs "Chief Engineer" House and other. In that very tiny, shared space in Vuga.
Know that after loss sadness pain and separation. We shall all meet again. don't know where don’t know when but I know we'll meet again .. ..
but for now Video, Audio, Light Camera Action CLICK is as good as it gets.
My prayers for Betty and all suffering and struggling. With what is expected part of the Joy of being a Mature Fully Vibrant ...
Great Awesome Family Tree!!
Hazel
PS Hazelnuts are good to eat.
hard to grow but O so Sweet
when put into Milk Chocolate!. By Cadbury.
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