My mother-in-law, Betty Crock, passed away at the end of June. She was a beautiful, beloved daughter of God and a spiritual mentor to me as she was a convert to Catholicism, and so am I. Here are a few ways she inspired me as I reflect on her amazing and humble life.
Commitment to marriage and family.
We witnessed her and her husband’s beautiful, faithful and strong marriage of 49 years with three beautiful children and six grandchildren.
Acceptance of others where they are.
When Al and I were dating, it was never an issue that I wasn’t Catholic or had not committed to converting to Catholicism. (I was Presbyterian.) She and her family loved and encouraged me without any pressure to convert. That loving acceptance helped me to be open to becoming Catholic, which has been truly a gift beyond measure.
Giving gentle encouragement.
As a young married couple in New Hampshire many years ago, it’s hard to admit, but with two babies and no family nearby to help us, my husband and I were not always faithful to weekly Mass. In our Sunday phone conversations with Betty, she would ask if we attended Mass. When I said no, she said she was sorry, and she wished she was there to watch the babies so we could go. She was gentle, kind and encouraging, and I look back on that and I’m so grateful that she didn’t push or judge us. Those gentle reminders played a role in getting us back to Sunday Mass weekly.
Getting involved in parish life. She was active in her church in many ways. She and her husband, Ron (who passed many years ago), ran the St. Vincent de Paul organization in Seton Parish for many years. She also helped with preparing funeral lunches, greeting people before Mass and helping with the parish festival – to name a few of the many ways she served. What struck me was her joy in parish life, and that has always been an encouragement to me to get involved in my parish.
Being grateful. She offered prayers of gratitude no matter the circumstances. Betty was incredibly grateful for the smallest blessings. I saw this in her siblings, too, when I was speaking with them at her funeral – a beautiful acceptance of the crosses that they have to bear in their lives and lifting up those crosses with joyful perseverance not self-pity.
Praying and attending daily Mass and Adoration. I would ask her to pray for me, and I could count on her prayers whether it was a rosary or simply talking freely to God on my behalf. She believed in the power of intercessory prayer and had a devotion to the Blessed Mother and many saints. Daily Mass and Adoration were important to her, especially in her elder years.
Loving and serving others.
Family and friends, especially working side-by-side with others to serve the less fortunate, moved her heart. She enjoyed deep friendships with people from church and in her community. She was an active listener who always had an encouraging word for others. She loved meeting friends for coffee and treasured her job as a funeral home greeter in her elder years where she would welcome and console others.
Keeping active and getting outside.
She walked in her neighborhood for exercise and enjoyed time outdoors, listening to and watching the birds, and never missed an opportunity to visit with a neighbor. This was a healthy habit she maintained even as her physical health began to decline.
Laughing.
She enjoyed hearing and telling funny stories. She loved to laugh! Even at the end of her life, when Alzheimer’s was challenging her mind and body, she knew when my husband, Al, was teasing her, and she would acknowledge him with a chuckle or a funny face, which made us smile.
I’m grateful for Betty’s love and her example of holiness. She inspires me to keep moving and growing on my own journey with Jesus. May we all bear witness to the love of Jesus in our everyday lives.
