How To Write a Eulogy
A tribute to my grandmother June (1929-2024) and singing her favorite song: "You Are My Sunshine"
Comrades: My last surviving grandparent has joined the others in Heaven with their Creator. The full eulogy is below and captures her spicy spirit. It was written by her children, translated by AI, and polished by yours truly. I have added extra commentary and an audio of her singing at the end. Pray and hug your loved ones close - you never know when it might be the last time.
Dear Family and Friends:
Today, we remember our dear mother June. She was bedridden for a year, but fought on as long as she could. On September xx, 2024, she passed away peacefully at the age of 95.
Our mother was born to a scholarly family in Shanxi Province, China in 1929. Her father was one of the first Chinese students to study in the United States. After returning to China, he served as a middle school principal and university professor. He sent his daughter to Beijing's Bridgman Girls’ School and Fu Jen Catholic University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry. After starting her career at Peking University for a few years, she joined the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. There, she met her beloved husband and soulmate Xin. After working side by side at the Institute of Chemistry for several decades, they transferred to the newly established Institute of Photosensitive Chemistry until retirement.
"Lao Lao" developed a strong personality because she began living independently at a young age, persevering through wars, famines, and upheavals with grit and grace. She possessed a unique combination of being both nurturing and direct about the big and little things in life. Although she worked hard at her demanding job, she always prioritized her family and children. After her only brother was denounced as a rightist in the Cultural Revolution and lost everything, she looked after his six children as if they were her own. She was most proud of raising her daughters to be cultured and tough like her. Leading by example, she accompanied them to every accordion lesson.
After her husband unexpectedly passed away in 1994, she moved to America to be with her daughters. It was not easy to make such a major transition as a widow. However, she was determined to overcome any challenge. She insisted: I will keep myself busy! Her schedule was full after she joined a church fellowship, learned English, taught English to Chinese friends, and taught tai chi to American friends. She enjoyed helping raise her mischievous grandchildren and watching them grow into the parents of her cherished great-grandchildren. No matter where she was, she tried to contribute positively to society.
Music was her love language. She learned to play piano and sing hymns as a girl. Her favorite activity was to perform for friends and family. She even invented a signature instrument, a harmonica made from a comb and paper. In her later years, she would spontaneously burst into song when energized by good company. Even when her hearing and speaking abilities declined, she could flawlessly deliver her top tunes: “You Are My Sunshine”, “Auld Lyne Syne”, and “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Dear mother: Your dedication, intellect, and love will be engraved in our hearts forever. We will carry on your legacy of toughness, joy, and songs. May you shine down on us from Heaven with your husband and our Creator.
Grandma’s spirit lives on through Baby Yulia, who is the only other person I know who randomly breaks into song. One of my favorite memories of her was helping her study for her American citizenship test and seeing her get every question right. She battled hard through COVID, refusing to wear a mask to the point where the nursing home attendants gave up. Many of her fellow residents died after the governor put COVID positive patients in their facility. We agreed with her grievances, as we were forced to stand outside her window when visiting. She was a spicy, feisty, loving matriarch.
Grandma singing “You Are My Sunshine”:
A tribute to my other grandparents and family history, written in February 2020:
How To Counter the Cultural Revolution
Comrades: We are countering the American Cultural Revolution.
This lovely tribute tells me that she was blessed with a long, meaningful life and even through the hardships, she fought for her dignity. She surely leaves an important legacy for her family and all who knew her.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and inspiring piece. Peace and love to you and your family❤️.