MEMORIAL SERVICE 07/19/21:

Last week our family and friends held a small ceremony to say goodbye to Judy.  Her final wish was that her remains be cremated and the ashes spread in the ocean in front of the family cottage at Popham Beach, in Maine.  Of all, this place was closest to her heart.  The last entries in the cottage’s journal were Judy’s, only a few months before she passed.  She spoke of it as a place for "much needed rest, recovery and replenishment."  It’s fitting that her remains are now here, forever part of Popham.

We gathered at the Fort Popham Dock on Monday, July 19th at 8 am.  The river was calm with gentle swells as the boat took us down the Kennebec and across the Wood Island bar.  The boat idled just offshore, with the high tide, the cottage in the background with its stark grey clapboards and bold red trim contrasting the deep green of the dunes.  A storm had cleared the night before so the morning was cool with just a bit of haze.  George sat peacefully in the bow as Kelsey, his granddaughter, began with a brief but touching blessing, barely holding back tears.  It had been a long hard year since Judy passed in March, 2020.

George spoke of Judy’s love for this place with his typical strong voice, yet a lingering note that betrayed his sorrow.  He spoke of their time together here with us as children, travelling back and forth from Montreal in the early years.  Her time on the beach since a child, and their shared love of this place.  His words were simple and pure.  He finished by saying how much he loved her, and deeply misses her each and every day.

We prepared the container with her ashes as the boat’s bow was turned windward toward Fox Island.  Judy’s ashes were gently released into the ocean as a few words were said about these only being her earthly remains, while feeling her spirit with us every day.  Everyone hugged, and then passed the bag of feathers that Judy believed were an angel’s gift when she’d find them.  We spread them in the ocean as we said our goodbye’s.  She’s now part of Popham, inseparable from its sand, waves, and dunes.  May her earthly remains rest in peace and, as you visit, Popham’s beauty always remind you of a kind, generous, loving soul, and a life well-lived.

George, Kinga, Greg,

and their Families.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PASSING 03/19/20:

Dear Friends and Family,

With deep sadness in our hearts, we write to let you know that Judy passed yesterday, March 19th, 2020 at 10:10 AM EST.   She fought hard, with George and her family at her side, battling the illness that hospitalized her last week. Despite all best efforts, there was nothing that could be done to save her.

She passed peacefully, having been conscious and alert, and understood what was happening.  As she was in life, she was in her passing: Caring. She wanted you all to know “that she loves you,” and “not to worry.”

A piece of our hearts has been torn from us.  As we begin the process of mourning her passing, we want to thank you all for your support over the past few weeks.  In these uncertain times, a traditional memorial service may not be possible in the immediate future. We’ll be in touch once we know more.

George, Kinga, Greg,

and their Families.