Remembering a friend, Chris Crandall

9-14-17
Today, I attended the celebration of Chris Crandall's life. It was made up of sadness, celebration, tears, smiles, but more than anything love. I think most of you who knew Chris would agree that when you hear her name, the words that come to mind are friendly and smile. Caitlin, her youngest daughter, used both words to describe her beloved mother. Caitlin delivered a loving eulogy honoring both her mother and her late father, Gary. It was heart wrenching to see such a great group of young adults lose both their parents to cancer at young ages.

Another thing that pops into my mind as soon as I hear Chris's name is St. Paul's Church in Webster. That is where I met Chris & Gary way back in 1988, when my wife and I joined St. Paul's parish with our newborn daughter. Another daughter to be born the next year. Chris was so welcoming and kind, Gary was quiet. Their three daughters,  Sarah, Elizabeth, Caitlin, and son Matthew were a few years older than Kristen and Lauren. They were all graduates of Webster Schroeder, Matt the last in 2005. The Crandalls were a family that I admired at Mass, a great representative of St. Paul's. Chris seemed to know so many at St. Paul's and greeted everyone with a bright smile and kind word. Today, I heard she did the same at Penfield Pediatrics where she served many years as a Nurse Practitioner. Also, at the Syracuse practice and hospital that Chris joined after she moved back to Syracuse 10 years ago after Gary's passing. Fr. Frank today in his homily said that she was liked and loved by all who met her.

The Mass was at Most Holy Rosary Church in Syracuse. What a beautiful place to celebrate her life! I think Chris grew up at this church, and I bet she & Gary got married here. Fr. Frank said in his homily that we are all sad today because physically we lost a most beloved person. But, God is smiling because he has welcomed home a faith filled child. I'm sure the only place Chris would leave her beloved family; children, grandchildren, mother, siblings, nieces and nephews for is to be God in heaven and Gary. Fr. Frank said as much. Chris was the eldest of eight children.

The ceremony was beautiful. It reminded me much of my mother's funeral Mass. My Mom died at age 63, Chris was a youthful 65.The church was full with about 300 or more family and friends. You knew it was an Irish funeral because there must have been 75 or more family members who were in the procession behind the casket. Many of the songs were the same as Mom's. Chris's two sisters did the readings. I had tears in my eyes during most of the service.

Why did I make the eighty mile drive this morning, when I hadn't seen Chris in over ten years? Because she made a difference in my life, showed me how to me friendly to everyone. I also wanted to show her family how much their mother, daughter,and sister was loved. I wanted to help make sure that Chris got the celebration that she truly deserved. A person we should all try to emulate. 

Farewell my friend!