My Final Services - Jean G. Lauper
A compilation of the two "My Final Services" requests (one dated 16 Sep 1970 and the other 03 May 1977) made by Jean G. Lauper and read at her funeral by her daughter Claudia.
- To be held in the Sunset Ward Chapel.
- Some one, maybe George Aaron, to say a few nice things about me.
- Some one to tell of what I have done as a church musician in this area. While music was my great love for many years, genealogical work surpassed it.
- Only organ music please. Played by Bonnie. A group of my favorite thing I have directed; perhaps to be used as prelude and postlude music. I would like Lucille Blake to play as an organ solor one or two of the very lovely things we worked together on during our many years together. I suggest "The Wintry Day", and "Still, Still With Thee", although "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" was a favorite of ours. She can select them. Bonnie, please include in your music, "The Star", a choral number I loved and directed endless times. Close the service with "Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love".
- For pall bearers, brothers-in-law, sons-in-law, grandsons, nephew, whoever is free that day and can attend.
- Don’t make it an expensive funeral. A simple white casket and WHITE FLOWERS, but NOT gardenias.
- I plan to get a new temple dress soon, but would like to wear the robes I have worn in my temple work for many years. Claudia once gave me a pair of white velvet temple slippers. A little fragile for the temple, but I could use them now.
- I’d like my favorite poem read. It is in the green leather scrap book and is called "The Tree".
- Of all my accomplishments, in a long life, marrying Serge was the greatest and along with this, four wonderful daughters. Several scenes from these years come to my mind:
- - Georgia, coming down the hall to meet a date, high heels tapping in a cloud of perfume, looking so gorgeous.
- - Claudia, in her white slip, coming into our hotel room the day of her marriage, looking so beautiful and radiant.
- - Paulie in a special outfit I bought for her while going to the U. of U -- a lovely shade of blue woolen skirt with a matching sweater, a white silk blouse and pearls —- a beautiful setting for our Golden Girl.
- - Bonnie, not yet five years old, lugging a large music case off to her music lessons; purposeful and earnest.
Love always,
Mother
The Actual Service, 19 September, 1977, 3:00 PM
Graveside Service, 19 September, 1977, 10:00 AM
The Tree
by Margaret Hall Smith
The tree held up her branches to the sky And danced and flirted in the flowing sun. She reveled in the summer just begun And kissed each little breeze that drifted by. She was a thing of beauty and grace. It was a joy to see her standing there When passing blossoms brushed her lovely face, Or summer rains dropped softly on her hair. The autumn came and with a ruthless hand Tore off her clothes to add to his gay store. Bereft and naked then, she had to stand, And yet she seemed more lovely than before. An inner grace, a hidden symmetry, The source of all her beauty was revealed, A soul laid bare that nature had concealed And covered with a gown of greenery. My soul before the Lord is always bare. I wonder if he finds some beauty there.