Eulogy of The Rev. Dr. Ellen Hanckel

 

 

Text Box: For Margaret — A Farewell A scallop shell is a good way to start this farewell for Margaret. This shell is a symbol of a Pilgrim, for this is the very same scallop shell she wore around her neck while she walked on her pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a distance of 400 miles across northern Spain — a journey which she undertook at the age of 78. Now, a scallop shell can also be a Christian symbol for baptism. We use it to pour water on a baby’s head during baptism. It can also be a symbol for the apostle James, the patron saint of Spain, as a reminder that he was a fisherman before he left that trade to become a follower of Jesus and a fisher of men … and women too, I hasten to say. But this particular scallop shell became the symbol for Margaret the Pilgrim — as she walked the way of the Pilgrim, as she made her pilgrimage all the way to Santiago de Compostela. In a way, it became a symbol for her life: An adventurous one … lived to the fullest … lived well ... all the way to the end. Even though I knew Margaret for only the last five years of her life, Margaret was my dear friend. (I'm sure many people here felt that way.) I felt a deep and abiding friendship grow from the conversations we had, sharing about our travels, about books, about family and friends. Even at the end in what would be her last stay in the hospital at the age of 92, she seemed content while she read about the adventures of Anna Karenina — a daunting task, for sure. Her life began in February 1917 on what happened to be a most memorable night for the whole town of Martinsville because it was the same night there was a fire in what is now the Parish House. So, what did Margaret do? Ninety years later — just a couple of years ago — she held her birthday party in that very same house, now the Parish House. And what a joyful gathering it was, too. Friends and loved ones from far and near came to celebrate that happy occasion. Recently I visited her in her own home here in Martinsville where she lived the last 30 years of her life. When I walked up to the front door, I remembered her warm greeting when we came Christmas caroling just last December. She and I held hands and nearly danced while the carolers sang. She is much loved and will be missed by all who loved her. In one sense, she has finished her pilgrimage and has returned home wearing her scallop shell around her neck. For those who are still on the Pilgrim’s way, our journey will be brighter and lighter for having known her — and for following in the footsteps of her example. Now even though Margaret the Pilgrim has passed over to the other side, we will be joyful that God has compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them, receive the crown of glory that faded not away. In the name of Jesus – Amen
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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