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Funeral Mass for Betty White
Our Lady of Grace
2:00pm September 14, 2019
Preparing to Meet the Lord
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Condolences and Image
Ø To Betty’s husband Taylor, to his children Taylor IV, Gardner (wife Stephanie), Ridgely, Willie (husband Chris)
Ø To her grandchildren: Austin (20), Connor (17), Mason (15), Ryleigh RYE-lee) (13)
Ø To Betty’s Sisters Hilde Polland (who isn’t able to be with us) and Ann Moris Sapier
Ø We gather to offer you our heartfelt condolences and join with you in a celebration of Betty’s life.
The image that comes to mind when I think of Betty is when at the age of 25 she became a motorcyclist.
I like to think of her revving up her cycle and getting ready to put it into gear to go trail riding through the countryside. A big smile on her face, a body full of enthusiasm and energy.
The energy and enthusiasm she had as a young woman remained with her, her entire lifetime, although she did give up motorcycling.
First Reading
The woman she became is spelled out in the first reading which speaks of a wife and mother as having, “A value beyond pearls.”
1. (HOMEMAKER) Such a woman, proclaims the reading,“Secures provisions from afar and distributes food to her household. With her earnings she plants a vineyard. She enjoys the success of her dealings and puts her hands to the spindle.”
Betty was a real down-to-earth mom to her children. She cooked meals, cleaned and kept house, to even taking out the trash. She was homemaker in the very best sense.
Betty was also very frugal as she and Taylor had both lived through the depression. As a result, she did not want to throw anything away. “That’s good stuff she would say”She would still save her tinfoil after using it, folding it up and putting in her drawer for the next time she needed it.
So, when we were young, she decided she would save some money and make our clothes. That never went well. They would either be too small by the time she finished them or one arm would be longer than the other.Of course, it’s the intention that counts!
She longed for grandchildren and when Austin came along she fell immediately in love. After Austin a grandbaby came every few years. There was Connor, Mason, and Ryleigh. She adored them and felt blest to be able to see them every day. How proud she was of their accomplishments.
She could be seen at all their sporting events cheering them on. Living with her daughter Willy for the last 6 years made her so happy for she was able to see them every day. What grandmother today gets to do that! And talk about the huge impact that made on their lives!
Betty was at home in nature, getting her hands into the soil in keeping a garden, filling her birdfeeders, caring especially for the bluebirds she enjoyed so much.
2. (THOSE IN NEED) Let’s return for a moment to the “woman whose value is beyond pearls”that is being spoken of in Proverbs, and note her care of those in need. “She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Her husband is prominent at the city gates.”
Betty led a joyful and generous life that could be seen in her smile and the delight in her eyes.
She was very active physically — no longer riding motorcycles — she walked every day, played tennis, bridge, was involved in book clubs, and delighted in playing games with her grandchildren.
A special interest was her care for Dyslexic Children and she became an important force in the founding and growth of the Jemicy School for Dyslexic Children. In its early years, keeping it open and growing were a challenge, but she was bound and determined to do her part to make it a success.
The story is told that she went to Taylor and told him in no uncertain terms to “Make it happen”!And the two of them did their share to make it so!
Today Jemicy has evolved to become a preeminent leader in the realm of schools addressing language-based learning differences. Fiscally sound, Jemicy now enrolls over 400 students (grades 1-12) on two campuses in Owings Mills, MD.
Betty was the “whisperer” in Taylor’s ear or call her “the power behind the throne.” She had a mind of her own. She was independent, strong willed and truly lived for others.
3. (MORAL CHARACTER)The woman the Book of Proverbs speaks of is clothed with strength and dignity, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her.
Betty had strong moral character. Her faith was nurtured by regular Sunday Mass whether she was home or away. She was fed on the Eucharist and was a source of faith for others
Application
The Gospel speaks of 10 bridesmaids and their preparedness to meet the bridegroom when he comes by having enough oil in their lamps. It quickly adds that the 5 wise bridesmaids had enough oil and their lamps, but the 5 foolish ones did not. So they asked the five wise ones for some of their oil.
The wise bridesmaids turned them down, not because they were selfish, but because the 10 would not have had enough with 10 half-filled lamps.
The moral of the story is that we have to be ready to meet the bridegroom — for us Jesus Christ — by being sure our lamps are full of oil. Being ready then is not something someone can give us. It’s only something we can do.
And herein lies the beauty and modeling of Betty, when it comes to (1) caring for family, (2) reaching out to those in need, and (3) having a strong moral character feeding our faith in God.
Her life speaks to us who knew and loved her. This oil for our lamps to be ready to meet the Lord is something we have to attain for ourselves.
The oil is the dedication (1) to family, (2) to those in need, (3) and to build a strong moral character to strength our faith.
Betty had and lived them; she modeled them for us.
For our part we need to acquire the oil they represent so we, like her, may one day go out to meet the bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
For these reasons we gather here, a few among many, and join Taylor and his family today in a celebration of life.
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