~ IN LOVING MEMORY OF ILENE JOYCE SCULLY ~ 10/14/27 - 9/21/00 Mom's 71st surprise birthday party 10/98. From left to right - daughter Carol, son Jim, daughter Shelli, daughter Cherri, granddaughter Shannon and Mom. Mothers and Daughters You can see it in their eyes, in tender hugs and long good byes, a love that only moms and daughters know. You can see it in their smiles, through passing years and changing styles, a friendship that continually seems to grow. You can see it in their lives, the joy each one of them derives, in just knowing that the other one is there.... To care and to understand, lend an ear or hold a hand, and to celebrate the memories they share. ...Author Unknown For as long as I can remember, my mom was always there. She and my dad divorced when I was 3, and my dad moved back to Alabama. My mom and grandma were my role models, and I think they did a fine job. My mom was always a hard worker, so much a lady, but never afraid to get her hands dirty. No matter how busy, tired or sick she was, she always had time for me. I believe it's the little things that mean the most, like the heart-felt talks we had, and later, the letters she wrote to me expressing her love, when I was on my own. Like most moms, she was ever so special because she was mine, a true friend from the beginning to the end. She was sick often, with a long history of illnesses. She never let it get her down, and she had strength and courage that I could never imagine. It wasn't until the last few years that mom's illness started to take its toll. She had congestive heart failure and Parkinson's disease, along with a few other major illnesses. But as sick as she was, mom just never complained about what she was going through. She fought long and hard, mostly for her family, until she couldn't fight any more. She passed on the last day of summer, with my step-dad Pa and my sister Carol at her side. She is sorely missed by all that loved her so. I will forever keep her memory alive. Love, Shelli At mom's funeral no one in our family could give a eulogy, so my 9 yr. old daughter Shannon got up before everyone and had a few words to say. I was so proud of her. You can read what she wrote for mom's eulogy above. Shelli chose the song playing on here, You'll Be In My Heart, from the Tarzan Soundtrack, because it makes her think of her mom. Mom and Pa sometime during the mid-90's. TRIBUTE TO MOMMA Mom, daughter Shelli and dog Susie, Spring 2000. The hardest thing I've ever had to do, was to tell you it was ok to let go, and say my last good-bye to you. You fought so hard, for so long, your courage and strength will always inspire me, but the war is over,you've faced a new dawn. You were my mother and lifelong friend, always with your unconditional love, all of the memories now are heaven sent. As I go through the rest of my days, you will live on deep inside of me, in my heart...forever and always. I Love You, Shelli Mom and Shelli on Shelli's wedding day, May 10, 1986. Mother~ Author unknown ~ The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning." But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this." Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come." And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you." And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I have given them strength." And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God." And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said : "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them." And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said, "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence." Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space... not even death! "Children will not remember you for the material things that you provided but the feeling that you cherished them." ~ Richard L. Evans This song (words are below) always made me teary, just the thought of losing my mom... How Can I Help You Say Goodbye Burton Banks Collins, Karen Taylor-Good Through the back window of our '59 wagon I watched my best friend Jamie slipping further away I kept on waving till I couldn't see her And through my tears I asked again why we couldn't stay Mama whispered softly, time will ease your pain Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry Come let me hold you, and I will try How can I help you to say goodbye I sat on our bed, he packed his suitcase I held a picture of our wedding day His hands were trembling, we both were crying He kissed me gently, and then he quickly walked away I called up Mama, she said, time will ease your pain Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry Come let me hold you, and I will try How can I help you to say goodbye Sitting with Mama, alone in her bedroom She opened her eyes, and then squeezed my hand She said, I have to go now, my time here is over And with her final words she tried to help me understand Mama whispered softly, time will ease your pain Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same And she said, how can I help you to say goodbye It's okay to hurt, and it's okay to cry Come let me hold you, and I will try How can I help you to say goodbye Nov. 2000, This is a picture I took when my sister Cherri, brother Jim and I went to visit our mom's grave for the second time. We had just put in the white wooden cross that my husband and I had made for her until her stone was in place. I took the picture as we were leaving and as you can see, it looks like my mom may have come for a visit, atleast that's what I will always believe..... Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on. Cherished memories never fade, because one loved is gone. Those we love can never be, more than a thought apart, for as long as there is a memory, they live on in our heart. ~ Anonymous Dear Shelli and Family I am so very sorry for your loss of such a wonderful lady, Your Mom Don't ever feel alone, she will be there for all of you Always. GOD BLESS Sue-Anne and ANGEL Lee In Loving Memory of Lee Henry Aguilera These are two beautiful and loving gifts for Angel Ilene from my dear friend, Carol, mom to Angel Michael. Maria, A million thank you's would never be enough for everything you've unselfishly did for my mom and I. Without your help, this page would never exist. It's a beautiful tribute to my mom, and I thank you so very much, Your friend, Shelli Click on the Next button below to learn more about Shelli's mom... A big thank you to Sheri for all the wonderful frames on Mom's photos on these pages. "A special tribute to a special lady. All my prayers. Angel Hugs, Joyce Beaulieu" A friend can hear a tear drop. This webpage is created In Loving Memory of Ilene Joyce Scullyon June 27, 2001 Last updated: October 13, 2009 © 2000 - 2009 Click the button below to send email to Shelli... Visit Maria's pages for her little Christopher at Maria's Tribute to Christopher Angel Christopher My Tribute to a Very Special Boy "Dear Maria: This award is for ALL your lovely pages for Christopher and others. Love: Marlene" Marlene's Pages Mrs. Scully's memorial plaque from ~