~A Tribute to Our Mother, Esther Delucca Larsen~
***Sunrise, November 15, 1924***
~ ~ ~ ~ Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ ~ ~ ~
***Sunset, June 18, 2008***
~ I respectfully request no one add pictures to this site without contacting me first ~
How do we begin to capture our mother in a few words? We cannot. That would be like trying to catch starlight. Her life-light has gone out, but she left sparks of light in us. The greatest gift we ever received was having her for our mother.
Mother was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Over 150,000 American women served in the WAC during WWII. Members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army. She enlisted on November 24, 1944 and her date of separation was on Mar 14, 1946. She was so proud of her military service. She received the American Defense Service Award Citation, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
Mother came to the continental United States from Puerto Rico. She carried the attributes for which Puerto Ricans are known for, their warm hospitality, friendliness, and expressiveness. She spoke using lively hand and facial gestures. We knew in an instant if mother was happy, sad, or angry by her facial expressions. If mother gave us "the look" we knew we were in big trouble! It was in her face that we saw feelings being felt and expressed.
Mother's life was not an easy one, in that, she was a young Hispanic bride taken to the mountains of NC. Due to cultural differences she was not embraced warmly in the rural community. Her life was filled with prejudice because the locals did not understand someone from a foreign country. When I say understand, our mother spoke English fluently, so it was not a language barrier but it was a cultural barrier. Mother made many sacrifices as we grew up. As little girls our mother dressed us alike. She always wanted us to have the best; however, we remember well mother had one dress she called "old faithful" she wore over and over. At the time, we did not grasp the meaning of that, but in later years we realized she sacrificed buying clothes for herself so we would have clothes. Mother was such a hard worker. During our early years she was a stay at home mom; however, when we were in junior high and high school she worked three jobs in order for us to have the things we needed and so we could get an education.
Mother loved dogs, all dogs, and took them full force into her heart. It was so comical to watch her face and listen to her voice as she interacted with them and "spoke" for them. I remember how my friends in high school loved our mother. Everyone thought she was so funny. She always welcomed our friends into our home. She exuded a sense of acceptance and belonging to all she met and really listened to what they had to say. We were always so proud when our friends said we had the funniest and sweetest mother in the world.
Mother began a new chapter in her life in 1970 when she relocated to Atlanta, GA. She worked at Grady Hospital in Security and later in Administration until she retired in 1988. She was honored upon her retirement by a huge departmental party and presented with a large crystal platter with her name and year of retirement on it. She was so very proud of it. Upon retirement she and her husband relocated to Chesnee, SC, to be near family.
In addition to being our mother, she was a beloved daughter, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her grandson,
Mark Taft Burnett
Mother, being Puerto Rican, had a natural love for baseball, because it is their favorite game. She loved to go to old Fulton County Stadium to watch the Braves. She was a diehard fan and at times could be a terror if things were not going well for the Braves. Later on she also became a big Chicago Cubs fan. Mother also loved dancing and music.
Mother was a life long learner. She could speak three languages. She earned her Master's Degree and was working on her Doctor of Divinity Degree. She taught a women's Sunday School Class and she lovingly referred to them as "her girls." The class was named in her honor "The Esther Class."
Mother created, guided, loved and was dearly loved in return. Everyone who has known her has been blessed by her presence in their lives. Mother crocheted and was so creative with her hands. Her hands moved effortlessly back and forth to create delicate lace patterns of art work. She crocheted the Lords Supper (3 feet by 4 feet) which is on display in a church in NC. She also crocheted The Lords Prayer and 23rd Psalm along with other beautiful elegant crochet pieces. Many were recipients of her crochet art work. We are blessed to have these treasures to pass down to our children.
Mother believed in taking one day at a time as well as everything always works out for the best. She was our encourager and believed in us. She was a Christian and was not shy about sharing her faith.
During the past ten years mother suffered with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There were periods of time she would be in and out of the hospital every few months and she went a couple of times for one year without a hospitalization. Mother's last doctor's visit and hospitalization in June 2008 brought us heartbreaking and unexpected news. The doctor told her she only had six months to a year to live. We were stunned because the month before (as if by grace) the family celebrated Mother's Day together, laughing, enjoying a great meal, and everything seemed to be status quo. It was not to be six months nor was it even six days. Mother was released from the hospital on Sunday and she breathed her last breath on earth, and her first breath in heaven, on Wednesday. The following poem epitomizes our mother well:
Loss of Mother Poem
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry
Cry with those who loved me
who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much,
I want to leave you something - -
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
~Author Unknown~
Precious Memories by:
~Nell Lowery Burnett~
~Rosalie Lowery-Abell~
The following Memorial Prayer was chosen by her loving and devoted husband, Marvin Larsen:
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
and whispered "Come to Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
~Author Unknown~
Esther's goal was to learn as much as she could about the Bible so she could share with others the love of Christ Jesus. I could never write enough about this wonderful Christian lady. I am proud to say Esther was my Mother In Law.
Roger Burnett
***Sunrise, November 15, 1924***
~ ~ ~ ~ Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ ~ ~ ~
***Sunset, June 18, 2008***
~ I respectfully request no one add pictures to this site without contacting me first ~
How do we begin to capture our mother in a few words? We cannot. That would be like trying to catch starlight. Her life-light has gone out, but she left sparks of light in us. The greatest gift we ever received was having her for our mother.
Mother was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Over 150,000 American women served in the WAC during WWII. Members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army. She enlisted on November 24, 1944 and her date of separation was on Mar 14, 1946. She was so proud of her military service. She received the American Defense Service Award Citation, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
Mother came to the continental United States from Puerto Rico. She carried the attributes for which Puerto Ricans are known for, their warm hospitality, friendliness, and expressiveness. She spoke using lively hand and facial gestures. We knew in an instant if mother was happy, sad, or angry by her facial expressions. If mother gave us "the look" we knew we were in big trouble! It was in her face that we saw feelings being felt and expressed.
Mother's life was not an easy one, in that, she was a young Hispanic bride taken to the mountains of NC. Due to cultural differences she was not embraced warmly in the rural community. Her life was filled with prejudice because the locals did not understand someone from a foreign country. When I say understand, our mother spoke English fluently, so it was not a language barrier but it was a cultural barrier. Mother made many sacrifices as we grew up. As little girls our mother dressed us alike. She always wanted us to have the best; however, we remember well mother had one dress she called "old faithful" she wore over and over. At the time, we did not grasp the meaning of that, but in later years we realized she sacrificed buying clothes for herself so we would have clothes. Mother was such a hard worker. During our early years she was a stay at home mom; however, when we were in junior high and high school she worked three jobs in order for us to have the things we needed and so we could get an education.
Mother loved dogs, all dogs, and took them full force into her heart. It was so comical to watch her face and listen to her voice as she interacted with them and "spoke" for them. I remember how my friends in high school loved our mother. Everyone thought she was so funny. She always welcomed our friends into our home. She exuded a sense of acceptance and belonging to all she met and really listened to what they had to say. We were always so proud when our friends said we had the funniest and sweetest mother in the world.
Mother began a new chapter in her life in 1970 when she relocated to Atlanta, GA. She worked at Grady Hospital in Security and later in Administration until she retired in 1988. She was honored upon her retirement by a huge departmental party and presented with a large crystal platter with her name and year of retirement on it. She was so very proud of it. Upon retirement she and her husband relocated to Chesnee, SC, to be near family.
In addition to being our mother, she was a beloved daughter, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her grandson,
Mark Taft Burnett
Mother, being Puerto Rican, had a natural love for baseball, because it is their favorite game. She loved to go to old Fulton County Stadium to watch the Braves. She was a diehard fan and at times could be a terror if things were not going well for the Braves. Later on she also became a big Chicago Cubs fan. Mother also loved dancing and music.
Mother was a life long learner. She could speak three languages. She earned her Master's Degree and was working on her Doctor of Divinity Degree. She taught a women's Sunday School Class and she lovingly referred to them as "her girls." The class was named in her honor "The Esther Class."
Mother created, guided, loved and was dearly loved in return. Everyone who has known her has been blessed by her presence in their lives. Mother crocheted and was so creative with her hands. Her hands moved effortlessly back and forth to create delicate lace patterns of art work. She crocheted the Lords Supper (3 feet by 4 feet) which is on display in a church in NC. She also crocheted The Lords Prayer and 23rd Psalm along with other beautiful elegant crochet pieces. Many were recipients of her crochet art work. We are blessed to have these treasures to pass down to our children.
Mother believed in taking one day at a time as well as everything always works out for the best. She was our encourager and believed in us. She was a Christian and was not shy about sharing her faith.
During the past ten years mother suffered with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There were periods of time she would be in and out of the hospital every few months and she went a couple of times for one year without a hospitalization. Mother's last doctor's visit and hospitalization in June 2008 brought us heartbreaking and unexpected news. The doctor told her she only had six months to a year to live. We were stunned because the month before (as if by grace) the family celebrated Mother's Day together, laughing, enjoying a great meal, and everything seemed to be status quo. It was not to be six months nor was it even six days. Mother was released from the hospital on Sunday and she breathed her last breath on earth, and her first breath in heaven, on Wednesday. The following poem epitomizes our mother well:
Loss of Mother Poem
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry
Cry with those who loved me
who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much,
I want to leave you something - -
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
~Author Unknown~
Precious Memories by:
~Nell Lowery Burnett~
~Rosalie Lowery-Abell~
The following Memorial Prayer was chosen by her loving and devoted husband, Marvin Larsen:
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
and whispered "Come to Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
~Author Unknown~
Esther's goal was to learn as much as she could about the Bible so she could share with others the love of Christ Jesus. I could never write enough about this wonderful Christian lady. I am proud to say Esther was my Mother In Law.
Roger Burnett
~A Tribute to Our Mother, Esther Delucca Larsen~
***Sunrise, November 15, 1924***
~ ~ ~ ~ Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ ~ ~ ~
***Sunset, June 18, 2008***
~ I respectfully request no one add pictures to this site without contacting me first ~
How do we begin to capture our mother in a few words? We cannot. That would be like trying to catch starlight. Her life-light has gone out, but she left sparks of light in us. The greatest gift we ever received was having her for our mother.
Mother was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Over 150,000 American women served in the WAC during WWII. Members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army. She enlisted on November 24, 1944 and her date of separation was on Mar 14, 1946. She was so proud of her military service. She received the American Defense Service Award Citation, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
Mother came to the continental United States from Puerto Rico. She carried the attributes for which Puerto Ricans are known for, their warm hospitality, friendliness, and expressiveness. She spoke using lively hand and facial gestures. We knew in an instant if mother was happy, sad, or angry by her facial expressions. If mother gave us "the look" we knew we were in big trouble! It was in her face that we saw feelings being felt and expressed.
Mother's life was not an easy one, in that, she was a young Hispanic bride taken to the mountains of NC. Due to cultural differences she was not embraced warmly in the rural community. Her life was filled with prejudice because the locals did not understand someone from a foreign country. When I say understand, our mother spoke English fluently, so it was not a language barrier but it was a cultural barrier. Mother made many sacrifices as we grew up. As little girls our mother dressed us alike. She always wanted us to have the best; however, we remember well mother had one dress she called "old faithful" she wore over and over. At the time, we did not grasp the meaning of that, but in later years we realized she sacrificed buying clothes for herself so we would have clothes. Mother was such a hard worker. During our early years she was a stay at home mom; however, when we were in junior high and high school she worked three jobs in order for us to have the things we needed and so we could get an education.
Mother loved dogs, all dogs, and took them full force into her heart. It was so comical to watch her face and listen to her voice as she interacted with them and "spoke" for them. I remember how my friends in high school loved our mother. Everyone thought she was so funny. She always welcomed our friends into our home. She exuded a sense of acceptance and belonging to all she met and really listened to what they had to say. We were always so proud when our friends said we had the funniest and sweetest mother in the world.
Mother began a new chapter in her life in 1970 when she relocated to Atlanta, GA. She worked at Grady Hospital in Security and later in Administration until she retired in 1988. She was honored upon her retirement by a huge departmental party and presented with a large crystal platter with her name and year of retirement on it. She was so very proud of it. Upon retirement she and her husband relocated to Chesnee, SC, to be near family.
In addition to being our mother, she was a beloved daughter, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her grandson,
Mark Taft Burnett
Mother, being Puerto Rican, had a natural love for baseball, because it is their favorite game. She loved to go to old Fulton County Stadium to watch the Braves. She was a diehard fan and at times could be a terror if things were not going well for the Braves. Later on she also became a big Chicago Cubs fan. Mother also loved dancing and music.
Mother was a life long learner. She could speak three languages. She earned her Master's Degree and was working on her Doctor of Divinity Degree. She taught a women's Sunday School Class and she lovingly referred to them as "her girls." The class was named in her honor "The Esther Class."
Mother created, guided, loved and was dearly loved in return. Everyone who has known her has been blessed by her presence in their lives. Mother crocheted and was so creative with her hands. Her hands moved effortlessly back and forth to create delicate lace patterns of art work. She crocheted the Lords Supper (3 feet by 4 feet) which is on display in a church in NC. She also crocheted The Lords Prayer and 23rd Psalm along with other beautiful elegant crochet pieces. Many were recipients of her crochet art work. We are blessed to have these treasures to pass down to our children.
Mother believed in taking one day at a time as well as everything always works out for the best. She was our encourager and believed in us. She was a Christian and was not shy about sharing her faith.
During the past ten years mother suffered with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There were periods of time she would be in and out of the hospital every few months and she went a couple of times for one year without a hospitalization. Mother's last doctor's visit and hospitalization in June 2008 brought us heartbreaking and unexpected news. The doctor told her she only had six months to a year to live. We were stunned because the month before (as if by grace) the family celebrated Mother's Day together, laughing, enjoying a great meal, and everything seemed to be status quo. It was not to be six months nor was it even six days. Mother was released from the hospital on Sunday and she breathed her last breath on earth, and her first breath in heaven, on Wednesday. The following poem epitomizes our mother well:
Loss of Mother Poem
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry
Cry with those who loved me
who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much,
I want to leave you something - -
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
~Author Unknown~
Precious Memories by:
~Nell Lowery Burnett~
~Rosalie Lowery-Abell~
The following Memorial Prayer was chosen by her loving and devoted husband, Marvin Larsen:
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
and whispered "Come to Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
~Author Unknown~
Esther's goal was to learn as much as she could about the Bible so she could share with others the love of Christ Jesus. I could never write enough about this wonderful Christian lady. I am proud to say Esther was my Mother In Law.
Roger Burnett
***Sunrise, November 15, 1924***
~ ~ ~ ~ Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ ~ ~ ~
***Sunset, June 18, 2008***
~ I respectfully request no one add pictures to this site without contacting me first ~
How do we begin to capture our mother in a few words? We cannot. That would be like trying to catch starlight. Her life-light has gone out, but she left sparks of light in us. The greatest gift we ever received was having her for our mother.
Mother was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Over 150,000 American women served in the WAC during WWII. Members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the U.S. Army. She enlisted on November 24, 1944 and her date of separation was on Mar 14, 1946. She was so proud of her military service. She received the American Defense Service Award Citation, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
Mother came to the continental United States from Puerto Rico. She carried the attributes for which Puerto Ricans are known for, their warm hospitality, friendliness, and expressiveness. She spoke using lively hand and facial gestures. We knew in an instant if mother was happy, sad, or angry by her facial expressions. If mother gave us "the look" we knew we were in big trouble! It was in her face that we saw feelings being felt and expressed.
Mother's life was not an easy one, in that, she was a young Hispanic bride taken to the mountains of NC. Due to cultural differences she was not embraced warmly in the rural community. Her life was filled with prejudice because the locals did not understand someone from a foreign country. When I say understand, our mother spoke English fluently, so it was not a language barrier but it was a cultural barrier. Mother made many sacrifices as we grew up. As little girls our mother dressed us alike. She always wanted us to have the best; however, we remember well mother had one dress she called "old faithful" she wore over and over. At the time, we did not grasp the meaning of that, but in later years we realized she sacrificed buying clothes for herself so we would have clothes. Mother was such a hard worker. During our early years she was a stay at home mom; however, when we were in junior high and high school she worked three jobs in order for us to have the things we needed and so we could get an education.
Mother loved dogs, all dogs, and took them full force into her heart. It was so comical to watch her face and listen to her voice as she interacted with them and "spoke" for them. I remember how my friends in high school loved our mother. Everyone thought she was so funny. She always welcomed our friends into our home. She exuded a sense of acceptance and belonging to all she met and really listened to what they had to say. We were always so proud when our friends said we had the funniest and sweetest mother in the world.
Mother began a new chapter in her life in 1970 when she relocated to Atlanta, GA. She worked at Grady Hospital in Security and later in Administration until she retired in 1988. She was honored upon her retirement by a huge departmental party and presented with a large crystal platter with her name and year of retirement on it. She was so very proud of it. Upon retirement she and her husband relocated to Chesnee, SC, to be near family.
In addition to being our mother, she was a beloved daughter, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her grandson,
Mark Taft Burnett
Mother, being Puerto Rican, had a natural love for baseball, because it is their favorite game. She loved to go to old Fulton County Stadium to watch the Braves. She was a diehard fan and at times could be a terror if things were not going well for the Braves. Later on she also became a big Chicago Cubs fan. Mother also loved dancing and music.
Mother was a life long learner. She could speak three languages. She earned her Master's Degree and was working on her Doctor of Divinity Degree. She taught a women's Sunday School Class and she lovingly referred to them as "her girls." The class was named in her honor "The Esther Class."
Mother created, guided, loved and was dearly loved in return. Everyone who has known her has been blessed by her presence in their lives. Mother crocheted and was so creative with her hands. Her hands moved effortlessly back and forth to create delicate lace patterns of art work. She crocheted the Lords Supper (3 feet by 4 feet) which is on display in a church in NC. She also crocheted The Lords Prayer and 23rd Psalm along with other beautiful elegant crochet pieces. Many were recipients of her crochet art work. We are blessed to have these treasures to pass down to our children.
Mother believed in taking one day at a time as well as everything always works out for the best. She was our encourager and believed in us. She was a Christian and was not shy about sharing her faith.
During the past ten years mother suffered with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There were periods of time she would be in and out of the hospital every few months and she went a couple of times for one year without a hospitalization. Mother's last doctor's visit and hospitalization in June 2008 brought us heartbreaking and unexpected news. The doctor told her she only had six months to a year to live. We were stunned because the month before (as if by grace) the family celebrated Mother's Day together, laughing, enjoying a great meal, and everything seemed to be status quo. It was not to be six months nor was it even six days. Mother was released from the hospital on Sunday and she breathed her last breath on earth, and her first breath in heaven, on Wednesday. The following poem epitomizes our mother well:
Loss of Mother Poem
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry
Cry with those who loved me
who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much,
I want to leave you something - -
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
~Author Unknown~
Precious Memories by:
~Nell Lowery Burnett~
~Rosalie Lowery-Abell~
The following Memorial Prayer was chosen by her loving and devoted husband, Marvin Larsen:
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you
and whispered "Come to Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
~Author Unknown~
Esther's goal was to learn as much as she could about the Bible so she could share with others the love of Christ Jesus. I could never write enough about this wonderful Christian lady. I am proud to say Esther was my Mother In Law.
Roger Burnett
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