He Is Risen

On Easter Sunday, our Bishop mentioned the power in simple 3 word phrases

I love you.

Love one another

Feed my Sheep

Do unto others

But the most powerful, joyful phrase of all

He is risen!

Our absolute faith in the resurrection gave our family peace and even joy as we celebrated the life of my Aunt Dawn Boyle. 

My Aunt Dawn and Uncle Eddie and their family were the catalyst behind my conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Monticello, Utah is the place were the teenaged members of the church impressed me enough that I had didn't hesitate when missionaries contacted me during my freshman year of college.  Dawn and Eddie, their sons, and friends were the perfect example of what living a life in the 'Mormon' church looked like. That little town hold a special place in my heart and it was good to be there again.

Dawn's funeral was a celebration of a life well lived.  Most of her 48 direct descendants were there.  Grandchildren and great grandchildren sang.  Sons and Daughter-in-laws (who were like her daughters) spoke and prayed.  While there were tears, there were also smiles and laughter.

Words that describe Dawn

loving

positive

adventurous 

happy

encouraging

faithful

missionary

independent

influential

mother

world's greatest grandma

neighbor

friend

kind

In short, she is all I would like to be! I am so glad that my uncle from the small town of Lonoke, Arkansas improbably found a girl from equally small Monticello, Utah at a business school in Missouri all those years ago.  Definitely a match made in heaven!

These two lived the gospel and 'went about doing good'.

 Dawn Boyle will be greatly missed here on the earth but I know she was welcomed on the other side by all who loved her, including parents, a whole generation of siblings, siblings in law and of course her son and husband.

The last time I saw her was October 2019 when George and I visited Monticello.

At the cemetery with cousins Scott and Bill Boyle.  Cousin Doug passed away abut 10 years ago.

To paraphrase the words of the hymn "Each Life that Touches Ours for Good",  Dawn's gentle ways strengthened my faith and enriched my days.

One interesting note, a recent move-in to Monticello is a Jewish man from Colorado. He has become friends with my two cousins and he provided the ham for the funeral meal. That has to be one for record book - a Jewish man providing ham for a funeral at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!