5th Annual Mission Writers & Readers Festival
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Events from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Details on the Poetry Around Town page.
Archive for January, 2012
Mission event for writers and readers
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on January 27, 2012
Posted in Community Events | Leave a Comment »
Goodbye Vivian
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on January 27, 2012
On December 21, 2011 MSA PPS Lifetime Member Thurlow Gowan said goodbye to Vivian Gowan, his wife of 60 years.
A celebration of Vivian’s life (April 17, 1920 – December 21, 2011) was held on January 11th at Bevan Lodge in Abbotsford.
Vivian Gowan (1920-2011) with Thurlow and family (Photos © 2012 by Shelley Haggard)
Many MSA PPS members were part of the approximately 60 that attended.
Brayden Sawatzky led a couple of prayers and read Thurlow’s poem “Friendship.”
Prayer for Vivian’s Celebration of Life (Brayden Sawatzky)
Heavenly Father,
You are the Creator and the Lord of Life and Love.
Every good and perfect gift comes from You, the Father of all heavenly lights.
We thank You now for the gift of friendship and family, and the gift you gave us to enrich our lives – the precious gift of Vivian Gowan.
In Psalm 36, a psalm of David, we read these reassuring words:
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.
You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights.
For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”
And now O Lord, we gratefully invite Your sacred presence to enter our hearts as we celebrate the life of Vivian, and we ask for Your peace to touch every aspect of our lives as we fellowship together.
We pray in Your Holy Name – Amen
Shelly Haggard read Lord Byron’s poem “My Soul is Dark.”
Alvin read Thurlow’s poem “Picking Flowers” and shared quotes and tidbits from famous poets.
Rhonda, daughter of lifetime member Donna Bishop read a poem by Donna.
Friend Roy Morice played tributes on the clarinet and saxophone.
Vivian’s niece Beverly Urschel gave the eulogy.
Messages from friends and family who couldn’t attend were read. Some of Vivian’s hair dressing awards were on display and a lovely video tribute recalled details of Vivian’s life. A reception concluded the afternoon.
Many members of MSA PPS attended. Vivian's awards pictured lower right. (Photos © 2012 by Shelley Haggard)
Thanks to Shelley Haggard who supplied the details of the event and took the photos.
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Fraser Valley Poets Society 