Raymond David Pierce
My mother would be very pleased and honored to see that so many friends and family could make it to her funeral, as it was God, family and friends who were the most important focus of her life. It was also your continued support, well wishes and prayers which were so valuable to her in the final weeks and months of her life. I have received many expressions of condolence from among the people my mother touched over the years. Their and your words match those that echo in my head with examples of her tireless and determined support of her friends and family throughout her life., The words that come to mind include:generosity, humour, sensitivity, integrity, and probably most of all – independence.Mom was an extremely talented and determined woman. She lived alone for a large portion of her life despite ill health and yet it never dampened her enthusiasm for creative endeavors. She played piano in her church and taught piano to any who would ask for lessons. The needs of these students eventually led her to write a beginners book on piano that she used in her teaching. As mush as she loved piano, her musical ability did not begin or end with it.She played a number of instruments over the span of her life including guitar, banjo and harmonica. Once, while at church, the pastor asked if anyone could play the drums. Mom stood up and said Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??IÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢ll give it a shot if you need me toÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â. Well, I watched and listened with a big smile on my face as she played with an enthusiasm and skill that belied her experience – in fact, I later learned it was her first time ever to play that instrument. Mom also had a love and passion for ceramics. She spent countless hours firing and hand painting numerous beautiful ceramic items which I am sure hold a special places in many of your homes as they do mine.And finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention Moms faith. Her faith in God was something that was reinforced with frequent church visits and daily readings from the good book. Moms bible is full of notation written on scraps of paper. Hundreds of small reminders to be good, do good, and to see the good in others. In closing, I would just like to say that as a parent and friend, my mother had an extraordinary ability to make each of us feel stronger and more confident in our own identity, giving us our own sense of independence and mental toughness which, speaking for myself, has been a great asset in my life. She will live in our memories and our hearts forever and I am and will always be extremely proud to call myself the son of Pauline Bonnie Bell Pierce.