This is a note of THANKS to all who comforted us and continue to keep us in their prayers.
Especially, the Westminster Family and Pastor Bradshaw, Ms. Adeline's family at DHSS St. Louis County Page Office (Family Support Division) and Mrs. Susie Ward, Copy Print Design and Wale Ogunrinde, World Wide International Markets, Sheperd's Funeral Home, My "African Family" in St. Louis (you know who you are), my friends at SLUH, ....etc.
--My family and I remain in awe of your kindness and warm embraces. God Bless You All and Best Wishes,
August 28th, 2010
(transcribed from a note sent to the family)
“A Journey Interrupted” is so appropriate for your mother and grandmother, and friend to many and to me!
She continued being a blessing to each and every one whose lives she touched! I am blessed to have had her in my life!
It was almost every week that I received an e-mail or telephone call, and often a note of faith and encouragement and friendship. And how special was your bringing her to see me at the hospital with those beautiful pink roses as well.
Our work together in preparing the elements over the last five years were so special. She made the process a spiritual happening reminding me, as the juice leaked, etc. that it was all for the Lord. And we had some laughs together also. What a lovely lady and dear friend!
One time, when it was our turn to prepare the elements, I was again home from the hospital. Here she came bringing the grape juice and the loaf of bread to my house so we could prepare it there together. We put the bread into the freezer for easier cutting and ate together the Michealenas dinner that she also bought. What a special time together and as always, her thoughtfulness and kindness were ever present.
How very glad I am that we chose Adeline to be our Westminster Honoree for the Presbytery’s Celebration of Aging. She certainly was a worthy recipient and I think she was pleased about this honor. I was privileged to be one of her guests at the luncheon following the service.
In our last telephone conversation, she expressed such deep wishes to return to Ghana. I am afraid I was a lecturer, reminding her of her good life here, having you here who were so dear to her, and how all of us would miss her! This way was surely not the way she would have wanted to return to Ghana, nor would we. But she is surely in God’s Heaven and knows she is going back to Ghana.
The garment you had for her for the memorial service was gorgeous. She would have loved it.
Her life was surely interrupted too soon! I shall continue wishing we would have more times together. Her loss is a void in my life!
Her faith was so strong, and though her loss brings dark days for us, I am sure Heaven is shining rainbows welcoming her!
--Anna Louise Fisher
Tribute from Westminster Presbyterian Church
If you are fortunate enough to sit near Adeline Dedo Mate at a Westminster worship service, you will hear her singing beautifully. Adeline seems an appropriate name for her, for she was so named from her father’s singing group.
The Presbyterian Church of Krobo was established by the German Mission through a missionary, Johannes Zimmerman, from Gerlingen, Germany. Since then, the church in Gerlingen has adopted the church of Odumase-Krobo, and every four years, the mayor of Gerlingen visits the church in Ghana. Another important occasion occurs every five years when a delegation from the church in Ghana visits Gerlingen. In 1995, Adeline, was the leader of the delegation to Gerlingen from the Presbyterian Church of Odumase-Krobo.
How were we so lucky to have Adeline in our midst? She came to the USA for a six-month visit with her daughter, Greta after a 13 year absence, and realized that she needed her to linger. And, while “lingering” here, she was driving down Union Avenue, and spotted Westminster on the corner of Union and Delmar. What a good “spotting” for us, for Adeline joined our family. She served as an Elder on Westminster’s Session, and was chairperson of the nominating committee in 2006. She also served as a member of the Nurture Committee, the Worship Communion, the Committee for Worship, Music and Arts. On the Presbytery level, she was a member of the Committee on the Self-Development of People. A recent joy of hers was being the namesake of the great-granddaugther of Dorothy and Bob Harper, Adeline Harper Dabler, daughter of Greg and Tara Dabler. She will be sorely missed and our congregation is grateful to have had the honor of the presence of this angel in our midst.
