Prayers for the repose of the soul of Harriet Blow

When Harriet Blow was born in November, 1933 she was not expected to live the week and was immediately baptized. She was then not expected to live to see age ten. No one expected her to see the age of 20. Certainly not 30. The one they all thought would never live to adulthood outlived her entire family. In May, when she was put under Hospice care, I was certain she wouldn’t make it to the end of the month and we had her Requiem mass planned and her obituary written. Last month she turned 82.  Finally, tonight, she went quietly and alone in her sleep after a very difficult several months. When I got up to her room to say the prayers at death and anoint her not very long after the nurse found her, she was long gone. Despite all the many hardships, difficulties, and physical limitations of her life, she maintained not only an amazing inner strength through it all, but an outstanding and unwavering faith. And, of course, there was always that smile. Into paradise may the angels lead you, Harriet. At your coming may the martyrs receive you, and bring you into the holy city Jerusalem.

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The prayers of St. Stephen’s are requested for the repose of the soul of Harriet Blow, who died this evening. Harriet was a long-time and deeply loved member of St. Stephen’s. A requiem mass will be held at St. Stephen’s in the coming week on a day and time to be announced.

Deliver your servant, Harriet, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all 
evil, and set her free from every bond; that she may rest with 
all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the 
Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for 
ever and ever. Amen.

+ May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, and rise in glory. Amen.