This memorial website was created in memory of our Mom, Shirley Garrity, 77, born on May 17, 1937 and passed away on February 25, 2015.
She touched so many lives and her capacity to love was endless. We will remember her forever.
It is close to impossible to find words worthy of describing the amazing woman who is our mom.
In starting this memorial we ask you to share your loving memories of her.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLyrics
My First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below,
with tiny lights like heavens stars
reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
for I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description
to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
but I am not so far away
we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones,
you know I hold you dear
and be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus this year.
I sent you a special gift,
from my heavenly home above
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.
After all love is a gift more
precious than pure gold
it was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other,
as my Father said to do
for I can't count the blessings or love
He has for each of you.
So have a merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear
remembering I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't believe we're not celebrating our birthdays together this year but somehow I know we are. I love you!
Hugs,
Ann
I can't even begin to express the love and admiration that I have for this wonderful lady. She mothered or grandmothered everyone who was fortunate enough to have her in their lives, and she did so with no questions asked and without expecting anything in return. I can't even put into words how she touched my life in so many ways and the lives of my children (who call her Grandma Shirley). She was kind enough to make our wedding cake when Chuck and I were married almost 20 years ago, which made our day even more special. She told wonderful stories, gave great advice, and came from a spiritual plane that I can only hope to reach someday. May the Lord be there to welcome her into his Kingdom with loving arms. Love you Shirley!
~ Janette Tuma, North Olmsted, Ohio
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Momma - You have given so much of yourself to your family, friends and acquaintances during your lifetime that it is now time for you to reap the reward and be at peace. You gave so much and asked for nothing in return. Even when you were hurting yourself, you somehow found it in you not to complain but to undertake whatever the day had in store for you. You will be FOREVER missed and remembered by me, this family and so so many others every day. My life has been so blessed to have such a strong, hard working, giving, loving, caring woman in it. you were ALWAYS there for me be it to wipe away tears and comfort me in sadness or to laugh and share in the joys of life. You were a remarkable teacher who taught me everything from making an amazing gravy to fixing a broken washing machine. There was no challange too great for you to undertake and YOU have instilled that in me as I can only hope to pass on to Ashley and she to her children. YOU were my mother to guide me and my friend to confide in. You were an AMAZING woman who was there for ANYONE who needed you for ALL that you had to offer from the "Golfview neighborhood kids" to the stranger on the street who needed a ride. You deserve to be with your baby girl Mary and your son Paul who you missed every day since they've been gone. Rest in everlasting peace with them and the angels until we meet again. Thank you Mom for a remarkable journey. I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!
Cherie Baby
p.s. remember that you promised to visit tactfully :)
Being a Christian woman (now strong in faith) I will keep your family in prayer, I know that losing you is going to hit them hard. You are loved and will be missed, until we meet again.
I love you!
~ Tracy Kelley ( Ianni ), Leesburg, Virginia |
I am very sorry to hear about your mother's passing. Please know that you and the entire Garrity family are in my thoughts and prayers. I moved away many years ago but I will never forget your mom. She had the patience of a saint. She was truly one of a kind. I hope that you find comfort knowing that she is at peace. Please send my condolences to your family. God Bless.
So he put His arms around you and He whispered "Come to me".
With tearful eyes we watched you, and knew you passed away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Shirley was an angel, a mom to us all, and loved by all.
She always leaned to watch for us
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe,
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget,
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting ‘til we come home to her
Anxious if we are late
Watching from Heaven’s window
Leaning from Heaven’s gate.
If Roses grow in Heaven
Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Mother's arms
and tell her they're from me.
Tell her that I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
Author: Kirsten Preus
" Mother, will you please quit bringing those things home"
Theresa M. Garrity, December 1961, Upon arrival of the newest addition to the family.
and memories a lane, I’d walk
right up to heaven and bring you
home again.
Leave a Tribute
Lyrics
My First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below,
with tiny lights like heavens stars
reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
for I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description
to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
but I am not so far away
we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones,
you know I hold you dear
and be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus this year.
I sent you a special gift,
from my heavenly home above
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.
After all love is a gift more
precious than pure gold
it was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other,
as my Father said to do
for I can't count the blessings or love
He has for each of you.
So have a merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear
remembering I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
Merry Christmas Mom!! ❤️
John and I miss you and love you more every day!
We miss you especially more at your favorite time of the year...Christmas...second only to your next favorite time of the year...kids returning to school. Now I get it. LOL.
Shirley was always a wonderful mother-in-law. I never thought of her as my "ex" mother-in-law.
She always had wonderful things to say, supportive and thoughtful. She would send me a Christmas card always considering me a "son". She will be sorrowly missed and the world's a lesser place without her.
Love you, "mom"!
Shirley always said that I was her "very own personal librarian". She was a voracious reader and would often read a novel in one day. She would give me beautifully handwritten lists of books that she was interested in and would anxiously await their arrival. I will think of her often when I am surrounded by all of the books she so loved.
Shirley was an angel, a mom to us all, and loved by all. She will be truly missed.