Mom's Eulogy

My brother and I asked our dearest friend Rosemary Thomas to deliver a eulogy for Mom. While Rosemary and I have shared a very special relationship for many years, she and Mom also became very close. Mom considered her one of her own. The following are the beautiful words Rosemary dedicated to Mom.

"And so it goes…who would have imagined we would be here at this point in time to say farewell to Justine. If ever we needed a reminder that time is precious – this is it.

Glenna Justine Hines Mainella started her life’s journey in the hills of central West Virginia in a place we call Webster Springs. After graduating from high school, she made her way to Fairmont – discovering what would become her new home and home for the next 50 years.

Don’t you know that she brought with her that caring nature and kindness that we all came to know and love through the years. And don’t you know that her strong work ethic and fun-loving spirit helped shape her circle of friends immediately.

If you knew and witnessed Justine and Vonda together, I am sure I am not the only one convinced they could have been the inspiration for Lucy & Ethel and probably were Laverne & Shirley too. We have all witnessed the embodiment of “soul mates” just by watching these two women co-exist for 50 years – as roommates, working together, raising children together, never living more than a mile a part…and talking and sharing a part of every single day.

Vonda reminded me on Monday evening that Justine took care of the world, she was so good hearted she was such a good woman.

There are so many questions surrounding how we got to this point but to seek answers would only limit our ability to share memories, to reflect on what she meant to us, to celebrate the life of this kind, thoughtful caring woman.

Displayed prominently in Justine’s living room, I found a small plaque which says so much about how she lived everyday. The words of the Serenity Prayer are these:
God, grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and
the wisdom to know the difference.

Not only did Justine live these words, she taught her boys to live by them as well.

David and John, you both must know that you are surrounded by the loving hearts and arms of so many. We are here with you because we love her too and we will be here, we will be with you in Michigan and Indiana long after today.

We will not forget this special lady who never forgot a birthday, never accepted “I’m not hungry” as an appropriate response to “What can I get you to eat”, never missed a chance to brag about her boys, never failed to provide a voice of reason for her girl, never forgot to be a great friend, never left without sharing a smile and NEVER stopped loving Izzy from the moment they met and fell in love.

Yes, Justine was giving and thoughtful. She could also be a little bit stubborn…in case you didn’t know. John and David, let’s just say it doesn’t appear that those attributes, (including the stubbornness) skipped a generation. Both of you dug you heels in these past difficult days and you were determined to do one thing, and one thing only…you did exactly what you mother wanted.

As we think of the words to Country Roads, it’s not at all difficult to envision Justine and her life’s journey that literally touched us all somewhere along the way…

Almost Heaven, West Virginia – her love for this place made for lots of memorable Sunday afternoon car rides to the Falls and the Farm and special vacations to places like Cass Railroad, Dolly Sods, Coopers Rock, Seneca Rocks and more.

She and Izzy welcomed family and friends to come share special times in their home among the hills, and they made sure that no matter how far away life took their boys through service to our country, learning, and professional careers – country roads would always bring them back home safely.

Justine Mainella will always be remembered as a loving mother, a devoted wife, a priceless friend, a wonderful daughter and sister, a very special grandma and so much more…

Cookies, lasagna, freettis, ham, Jell-O salad creations, sauce and meatballs…and that’s just what she made for John on a weekend…she did loved to cook! Lucky for her we were all so polite that we would never dream of not eating…and usually licking the plate because it was so delicious.

Yes Vonda, you were right, Justine took care of the world. Her time here on earth ended far too soon for us, but we need to remember God has a different plan for his newest angel.

Together we need to embrace the words of the Serenity Prayer and accept that this path was not meant to be changed…but let’s think of all the courage she had and honor her memory by supporting David, John, Vonda and their families and know that we can shape how we approach the future.

Justine knew the difference between what she could and could not change. She made the most of life, she wanted the most out of life for her boys, she shared her life with the love of her life, she valued quality of life and we all know our lives were made better – just because we knew her.

We love you Justine!"


Presented by Rosemary M. Thomas
In loving memory of Justine Mainella May 21, 2008