Tag Archives: funeral

Death of the Famous, Royalty, The Mary Mac Show

Grieving For HRH Queen Elizabeth II | The Mary Mac Show

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There are only a handful of experiences in one’s life that we would consider significantly important.

And the death of the United Kingdom’s Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is one of them.

While I’m not a citizen of the UK, my family heritage touches Scotland and Ireland and I feel a great affinity to the people of the UK and its monarch.

I’ve studied British History since I was a youngster having read countless biographies, watched documentaries and followed its good and not so good history.

Last year I created a commemorative episode to honor HRH Prince Philip after he died just shy of his 100th birthday. Ironically, he died on my birthday and I spent hours watching the tributes online and on television.

When his custom-made Range Rover was being driven to pick up his casket for the service, I was overcome by the beautiful music that the military band was playing. Here is a snapshot of when they played “I Vow to Thee, My Country” a beautifully solemn hymn:

And here is the episode I created when he passed on and the corresponding blog:

But on Thursday evening, 8th of September 2022, Her Majesty went on to be with her beloved husband almost one and one-half years after his death.

Only two days before, on Tuesday, she welcomed her 15th Prime Minister, Winston Churchill having been her first.

This week, in Episode 146, I remember HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the 96 years she graced this earth and the over 70 years she reigned and wore the Crown.

Her grieving four children, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren will forever remember her. And we send our condolences on the death of such a remarkable lady.

We also acknowledge all the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms who loved her especially those who served her in all capacities during her reign.

You, too, feel the loss and you should always recognize that your sadness is legitimate and honored.

A perfect testament is just by watching the crowds and how they waited to walk past her casket in Scotland and again in London. All the people who lined the streets and waited in line for nearly a day to enter into Westminster Hall to witness history.

My memory of the Queen was back in 1977 when I was fortunate to have visited London with my parents for her Silver Jubilee. We had gone to the theatre one evening and the cab driver pointed out that if we walked down the block, the queen would be coming out after the opera and we might catch a glimpse of her.

My father lifted my camera, and just kept clicking when her car slowly drove by and to our surprise when we returned home, we had gotten a perfect shot of her. I still have that photo and cherish it.

The lights were on in the car so everyone could see her and Prince Philip. She looked so beautiful, waving to everyone.

Another touching tribute was from Paddington Bear on her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. When he said “Thank you for Everything”, well I was so overwhelmed because at 96 we really didn’t know how many more years we would have with her.

Take a look:

To everyone who is grieving the loss of a Monarch, Mother, Grandmother, GreatGrandmother and Friend, we send you our sympathies and love.

And to the new King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort we acknowledge a new reign and wish the very best to you.

A look at Her Majesty’s life:

Her funeral will be tomorrow, Monday 19th September 2022 at 11am British Time, 6am Eastern Time in the US. I will be watching with you.

Bless you, my friend,

xoxo

Death of a Grandparent, Death of a Parent, Death of a Spouse, Dying, The Mary Mac Show, Uncategorized

The Mary Mac Show | Difficult Discussions

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The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In this week’s episode, we speak about the Difficult Discussions that families need to have, but fail to have, surrounding end-of-life care, death and burial.

I realize this is not something that many families consciously do long before it is needed, but it is a topic that we are all more aware of this year, with the pandemic, than ever before.

Since there is a good chance that this is the first time since spring that you will be with your family to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and other year-end holidays this year, I am encouraging you to please use that time specifically as an opportunity to discuss these topics and start to think about what your older relatives may want for themselves when they die or become ill.

It might be your grandparents, parents, even you and your spouse.

Listen in to Episode 52 as we discuss how important it is to gather as a family this season to talk about end-of-life preferences and the best ways to carry them out.

Bless you.

xoxo

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Tony Snow – A Good and Faithful Servant

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I can’t remember the first time I saw Tony Snow on television. But I know it’s been very many memorable years ago.

What struck me most about this fine man, was his optimism about life. Whether I saw him on Fox News Channel, or listened in to his own radio show or Rush Limbaugh’s, I knew it would be a thoroughly captivating and educational time. I knew the time I spent with him would leave me feeling there were options out there I may not have considered. Options that would uplift our America instead of trash it. Options that were feasible.

And when he moved into the White House as Press Secretary, how happy I was to know I’d get to hear from him almost every day.

His husky yet soothing voice was unmistakable. And I would often be thrilled by the manner in which he would deliver his thoughts. As an author, I admire how others string sentences together and he did it so elegantly.

When a man dies, you usually get to know his character by the tributes of his family, friends and colleagues. Everyone was in awe of the manner in which he lived his life before and after he learned of his cancer challenges.

It’s said it’s not how we lived, but moreso how we died. From the accounts of all his colleagues, Tony worked through his illness with class and grace. He was a wonderful example of keeping his hopes high that he would beat his colon cancer.

My thoughts these last few days have been with his family, of course, but also his colleagues. It’s an interesting dynamic which takes place when it’s a dear friend who dies.

In Tony’s case, he’s in the media spotlight. Most of us will honor our friend and then go back to work immediately. But their loss and presence will be felt when we see their office empty, when they aren’t around to reach out to when you have a thought or are working on a project you know their advice would be valuable.

So I want to acknowledge and validate the pain of a friend’s grief. It’s real and sometimes it’s more real than grieving for a distant relative or other relative with whom we barely had a relationship. But a friend, and especially a business colleague…well, we’d see them or speak with them continually in the process of fulfilling our work. The vacuum left by their empty office, voice, writing, strategy, humor, talents will be felt for a very long time.

And when we lose a man like Tony, the level of that pain and loss, felt at FOX and on the radio and in the White House is significant.

When I think about the people I’d like to have the honor of meeting in my lifetime, Mr. Tony Snow was right up there on the list. I feel sad I’ll not get that pleasure now.