Vivian Easterbrook: A Pioneer

A pioneer is one who goes before us to show us the way to go. In a very real sense my gramma Vivian Easterbrook has always been a pioneer for our family leading the path by her loving example. When she joined the church in 1951 my father mentioned that she was the only member of the church in her small town of Welland. In her personal history she writes, 

"It was 1951 that I joined the church and it has sure been a guide and a comfort and a lot of work ever since. I would like to tell my grandchildren and their progenitors that I really believe I joined the true Church, the same as the one we read of in the time of Jesus. I believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, sent to us in these latter days. ... I appreciate being a member and feel it has changed [my life]. [I] have received so many blessings"

Indeed the gospel did bring many blessing to my grandmother and those blessing were passed onto all of us who knew her as we have each been touched by her spirit, her service and her love. 

She spoke of how the gospel of Jesus Christ has been a guide and comfort to her and I know now it continues be so, especially today, to us, as we miss her and mourn her passing. But grandma didn't fear death, she was strong till the very end because of the gospel knowledge that gave her hope and understanding. She knew that death was not the end but that our lives are eternal. 

As we returned to grandma's tiny little room after she slipped from this mortal life, we gathered together her remaining belongings alongside her glaring empty bed. As we packed away the remnants of our loving grandmother, I turned to her bright pink blossoms by the window, still blooming  amid the sorrow. They were a symbol of hope. Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing a loved one, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so. The unfailing source of our hope is that we are sons and daughters of God and that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ saved us from death. Our true hope and happiness in this life lie in knowing who we are, where we came from and where we can go. 

I think of my grandmother, a single mother and the joy she must have felt when receiving the message the missionaries taught, that we are eternal beings, we are spirit children of a loving Father in Heaven who knows us, and loves us and guides us. That God is our Father, and as such each of us have a divine nature and destiny. He sent us here to earth with a plan and a guide. Jesus Christ is that guide. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and show us the way to live according to God's plan.Because of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of the world, we will all be reunited with those we have cherished. The Savior broke the bands of death. His victory came through His excruciating pain, suffering, and agony but as the scriptures teach us his death was not the end. 

The darkness of death can ever be dispelled by the light of His words, “I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

In Grandma's notes she writes, "God loves us and wants us to be like him and live with him even after we die. One day we all die when we are old." She continues, "Jesus died on the cross to forgive everyone's sins - you and I and all people. Because of that if we are good and try to be like Jesus we can live with him after we die." Then she asks, perhaps to herself perhaps to us, "Are you going to try to be like Jesus?" Grandma's answer, "I have been trying because I want to be with Him one day."

We feel peace in the reassurance of life beyond the grave through one Man and His mission. Jesus Christ provided the life, the light, and the way and Grandma spent her life following Christ. Her example teaches us that following God's plan is the surest way to find peace and happiness and endure life's challenges. Our lives do not end when we die. Our future lives are determined by the way we live our lives now. Because life is fragile and death inevitable, we must make the most of each day.We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. So we should ourselves as Grandma did "Are you going to try to be like Jesus?" and “What good can we be doing today?” 

In her notes she wrote, "Don't put off living to worry about or yearn for magical gardens, embittering the present will lead to regretting the past." As we all know Grandma grew her own gardens of happiness and they blossomed throughout her whole life. She knew that if we live only for tomorrow, we’ll have a lot of empty yesterdays today.

I think that is the powerful example we will all take away from grandma's life. She did make the most of each day, she loved life, seized every moment, filled her days with praise and service to others and found a ways to touch each of our lives individually. She was a woman of strong belief, determination and faith. She was indeed a pioneer who went before us to show us the path in life that we should follow. 

Like the Savior said, "I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also....In my Father’s house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2-3) Grandma was a pioneer who followed Jesus Christ, the ultimate pioneer, for He has gone before showing all others the way to follow. May we ever follow Him and learn from the devout example and beautiful legacy of our beloved grandmother, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Remarks given at the Funeral Services for Vivian Easterbrook, By grandson Cody Easterbrook, Mar 1st, 2011

Vivian Easterbrook 1918-2011

Eulogy given by Bernie Easterbrook -Mar 1st, 2011

Vivian Mary Marlow was born on May 9^th 1918 in Welland, Ontario.  She was the 3^rd of 4 children born to her parents Sydney and Emily "Birdie" Marlow. She was the only child to survive to adulthood.  She was born a frail little baby who was at first so small that she had to be carried around on a pillow.  But she quickly grew to become her daddy’s little girl. She adored her father.

After the accidental death of her younger brother, Vivian's mother became ill  and Vivian took the brunt of the responsibilities in the home.  She worked hard never complaining.  Growing up during the depression became even harder for mum when her father passed away while she still a teenager.  Despite her trials Vivian was determined to be the best she could. She applied herself and was the top of her class.  She went on to secure herself jobs working in bookkeeping, managing the finances and being the controller for several small companies.  

In 1942 mum married Charles Butters to whom she bore three sons Charlie, Harvey, and Bernard.  In Mum’s own words “the doctor lied to her three times” and she never got her girl.  Fortunately later in life she would have daughters-in-law and granddaughters to dote on and treat like daughters. 

When I was only two years old, she became a single mum. Despite the enormous undertaking she raised us three rambunctious boys on her own.  She raised us in Welland, Ontario, the same small town she grew up in. In fact I  had the same school teacher, Miss Teskey that mum had as a girl and according to mum, she was still wearing the same dress.  As a single mother she took on both roles in the family, she would sew all of our clothes, she budgeted and worked hard to support the family and still found time to be the president of the School PTA. She knew the importance of family and made sure to always take us boys on vacation every summer to places like Wasaga beach, or camping at Manatulain  island, or fishing on the nearby rivers.  She would take us and our friends on picnics and to the local beaches after work in the summers. She was very loving and always reached out to her children, she was a great mum and always tried hard to raise us right.

In 1951 the missionaries taught mom the gospel. TheG Holy host testified to her that it was true and she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the first  member in Welland. The church taught her the meaning of life and she indeed filled her days with meaning, joy, lasting memories and more importantly she dedicated her life to serving others.  

 In 1960 mom met Arthur Easterbrook and they were married that summer. The family grew from 4 to seven (more boys!). 

Mother never stopped caring for others. Even after her own children were grown, she often took in her grandchildren. Charlie’s Kids looked  forward greatly to their weekends spent with Gramma and Grandpa where they took them on adventures, ate gramma's home cooking, and had instilled in them values and life lessons.  Grandma and grandpa were a source of strength, stability and love to Debra, Sandra, Charlie, and Samantha.  Memories they have of grandma include her huge flower garden from which she cut flowers each Sunday and took them to Church to make beautiful flower arrangements. 
When grandma moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1977, her doors were always open for grandchildren to come stay, and even live.  

In 1987 Arthur and Vivian packed up their motor home and headed to New Mexico where they were called to serve as missionaries, serving and strengthening the people of Deming New Mexico. She never stopped and spent the rest of her life serving faithfully and remained faithful to the end.

 Although originally from a small town, she managed to see a lot of the world: Dad and mom were sealed in the Swiss temple, they toured Europe, had multiple visits to Banff, the Stampede, and Yellowstone, spent winters in Arizona, Florida, Texas, and California, spent a month in Hawaii, cruises to Mexico and mum and dad even spent 10 years in their motor-home hitting the roads, traveling and visiting friends and family.  My children were amazed by gramma and grandpa’s home on wheels as their motor-home would roll into Texas. Their visits were full with Games of Bingo and scrabble, home movies shot by Arthur but directed by Gramma, playing with her dogs- she spoiled her dogs but she spoiled her grandchildren even more. Despite her use of the word 'dumb bunny' mum was an animal lover, she spoiled four dogs over the years, Peppy, Tara, Mai-ling and Ling-ling. Her grandson Little Harvey is grateful to Mom for teaching him about genealogy and stamp collecting, the time spent listening to Elvis records, family trips to Fairmount Hot Springs , Heritage Park, Drumheller, the Stampede, Fish Creek for Barbecues, the talks they had,  the support she gave him, and of course everyone always loved Sunday dinners at grandmas. Samantha Mutzeneek a granddaughter remembers grandma growing flowers especially for Samantha and Lee’s centerpieces for their wedding.  What a beautiful memory! Indeed mum has given all of us so many years of enjoyment and wonderful memories. 

Mum developed her talents even in her later years.  She participated in activities wherever she and dad spent their winters in their motor home.  One winter she learned how to paint and painted rose pictures for her children and grandchildren.

For the last 10 years of her life, after Arthur died, Vivian was cared for predominantly by her granddaughter Samantha McClean and her family.  Mum would love to tell anyone who would listen what her grandchildren Brady and Dakota were up to. She attended Dakota’s dance recitals and enjoyed attending Brady’s and Dakota’s special school events.  She even followed them to Ottawa when they moved, having so terribly missed them when they moved.  Andy returned to Calgary to assist her in her travel. This demonstrated the deep abiding mutual love and respect she instilled in her children and grandchildren.  

Vivian Easterbrook was a wonderful mother to her 5 sons, she was a loving grandmother to her 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.