On July 23 the family gathered to celebrate the life of Richard Rennie. It was a wonderful, happy/sad time. Dad hated funerals, and was not a church goer, so we gathered in the garden for an informal memorial. The weather man was predicting rain, but luckily he was wrong, and the back up plan involving moving inside was not needed.
About 37 people gathered in the back yard. Family and friends, and former colleagues and patients came from around the province and across Canada.
Father Derek Nicholls presided over an informal service of prayer, readings, memories and song.
Several family members spoke about Dad, Mom, and their effect on the lives of those close to him. He was remembered as a man with many gifts, including a healer, an inventor, pilot, a Dad, a loving husband and a friend.
Gregory told a tale about a family of ducks he rescued on the way to the service.
Then Mom and Dad were brought together again by their children.
After the service there was lots of visiting
And a plentiful lunch
The memory table was enjoyed as people shared reminiscences and learned some things they were not aware of.
The poem written for Dad by the hospital staff when he retired from Weyburn
The tapestry made by Mom and made into a table by Dad
Then the family gathered a Viet Thai for a group supper.
Later that night Dad and Mom's ashes were quietly and respectfully combined and some were placed in flasks to be scattered in important places in their lives.
Here is a link to Susan's web album, which has more pictures and the video of the service.
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