w o r d s

Laura’s grandmother Peg was born on December 6, 1908 in Trevor, Wisconsin - the same year Bette Davis was born (April 5) and Henry Ford produced his first Model T automobile. She was the daughter of Wayne and Lillian (Frank) Bush. Peg died on December 17, 2007 peacefully in her sleep at a retirement home in Charlotte, Michigan. She is survived by her daughter, Dolores Wendell of Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Genie Michel; grandchildren, David Wendell, John Wendell, Carol Kostyshyn, Paul Wendell, Peter Wendell and Laura Wendell; 3 great grandchildren, Mira Kostyshyn, Julia and Jacob Henn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Julius in 1991 and son Philip in 1998.

Peg is remembered for her kindness and generosity, and her love of the good things in life. She was very active in her community as a member of her church and as an officer of clubs and community organizations in Charlotte, and she received community service awards for her work. To her family, Peg’s and Julius’ house was a place of stability and comfort, where the door was always open. Although she will be missed, we’re grateful for her long, rich life and for the moments we shared with her.

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Today was the funeral of my co-worker Shirley, or as West Durham Baptist Church called it, her Homegoing Celebration. The church was full, and the mood was somber, but not depressed. Shirley had touched many people with kindness and generosity, and many of the people who came to bid farewell to her were grateful for having known her.

I liked Shirley a lot, and I’ll never forget the delicious eggplant and zucchini she grew and so generously shared with me and other co-workers. She had a real “green thumb” and seemed to thoroughly enjoy gardening. At work, Shirley was our fastest, most experienced data-entry clerk, and it was quite amazing to see her calmly flipping through the pages of the instrument, while the fingers of her right hand were dancing across the computer keyboard.

Shirley died on April 20, 2007, at Duke Medical Center in Durham. She is survived by one son, one brother, two sisters, and one aunt, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.