Last month my Aunt Jeneil passed away. She was a big influence on my life and we had many things in common. She went to United Theological Seminary in the 60’s when she and Bishop Susan Hasinger, who was a classmate, were two of only a few women in seminary. She went on to work for the United Methodist Publishing House as an editor. She was a champion ballroom dancer and I used to love staying with her when I was a kid because I got lessons. In more recent years, she played the piano and sang in bands that were on the retirement village and nursing home circuit. What an incredible life! After reading her obituary at the service, here is what I said:

“Wow… right? These are the facts – this is the chronicle of an incredible life…

… the incredible life of a self-professed supposedly shy young woman whose persona transformed when she stepped onto a ballroom dance floor…

… the pioneering life of a brave and adventurous woman – the only woman in her graduating class at seminary in 1965…

… the dedicated life of a faithful woman whose professional life in Christian education and as an editor for a major religious publishing house helped shape the spiritual lives of people she knew and cared for, but also countless others she never knew or would never know her personally…

… and most simply and profoundly, a joyful life witnessed by us all in an infectious laugh and unassuming manner.

This is the chronicle of a full, well-lived, incredible life… a life worthy of our celebration today and all days.”

I’ll miss you, our ballroom-dancing saint!