Comment (7)

• From Jim:
  Rose Speer

  November 5, 1995

  A message to those I left behind, 10 years ago today.

  “I’m safely home in Heaven, though I still miss you so.
  The love I’ve always felt for you, within my heart still flows.
  My spirit visits with you, every single day, appearing as a
  rainbow, or as lake waves at play.

  In the gentle rains that fall, and in the morning dew,
  All you see that’s beautiful reflects my love for you.
  I didn’t mean to cause anyone pain. My time had simply come.
  The work that I was meant to do, on earth, had all been done.

  I’m safely home in Heaven, and since being here I have helped to welcome:

  Rose & Michael Best – their love was so strong, they wouldn’t leave each other, and together, hand-in-hand, they entered their new home

  Steven Moneypenny, Jr. – a beautiful little rose who came from beyond the wall, so full of love and such a delight

  Bill Lewis – still among the first to offer help, laughing and carrying on, while holding his coffee cup

  Pamela Waldoch – my only beautiful granddaughter, who shared her birthday with God’s only Son, what a joyous light she has brought with her

  Alexander Moneypenny – a beautiful spirit, now in God’s garden, trying his wings

  Joe Gurto – my brother, getting everyone to laugh by telling his brand of jokes and calling out, by nickname, to everyone he meets

  Susie Petrovski – my sister, warmly welcomed by everyone here, missed by those she left behind, she brought memories of each of you to share with all of us

  There are so many that are safely home in Heaven. And when your work is completed,
  He will gently call you home. Oh, the joy of that meeting, for all us to be together, once again!”

  Reply

• Rose Speer

  November 5, 1995

  A message to those I left behind,
  10 years ago today.

  “It is so hard to believe it has been
  10 years since I left you.
  But, I want you to know,
  I’m safely home in Heaven,
  though I miss you so.
  My spirit visits you, every single day.
  Appearing as a rainbow,
  or as lake waves at play.
  In the gentle rains that fall,
  and in the morning dew,
  all you see that is beautiful,
  reflects my love for you.
  I didn’t mean to cause anyone pain,
  my time had simply come.
  The work I was meant to do, on earth,
  had all been done.
  And when your work is completed,
  He will gently call you home.
  Oh, the joy of that meeting,
  for all us to be together once again!”

  Remembered by Family & Friends

  Reply

• A MESSAGE FROM “ROSIE”

  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

  Thanks to everyone that showed me
  kindness, by writing to me, calling me
  making trips to see me. Also for all the gifts.
  Special thanks to Sue for taking me
  in when I came to the reunions, and
  for all the emergency trips you made
  to Wisconsin with Jim on a moments notice.
  To Pam & Bill, for letting me stay
  with their family, when I came down
  for the last few reunions.
  To Brenda, for coming and staying
  with me, also for making the trips to
  come get me for the reunions and
  taking me back.
  To Jim & Sharen, for everything
  they did for me.
  To Greg & Pam, for sitting with me
  and for all you did for me.
  Last but not least, David, thank you
  for making a place for me in your
  home, and for all that you did for me.
  Including being with me at the end.

  Thank you all, Love, Rosie

  Reply

• Good-Bye Mom

  While I was gone…you slipped away.
  The angles must be overjoyed!
  They have their little Rose Bud
  by their side.
  There must have been a crowd at
  the end of the tunnel of light…
  Dad, your parents, Mary just to name a few.
  Hands out stretched to welcome you
  home, your Ohio in the Sky.
  Now that you are with God, you can ask Him:
  How do the little birds stand on those tiny little legs?
  How do ALL those pills know where to go?
  Mom, don’t forget to measure your
  head every once in a while to make
  sure it isn’t shrinking!
  I miss your smile and the look of
  mischief in your eyes.
  Even in the worst of times,
  you could always make us smile.
  Even though my heart is sad, I
  am glad for you. Because you have
  traded in your wheels for wings,
  Now you can fly with the angels…
  And soar with the eagles.

  Love, Sharen

  Reply

• From B-Ann
  Loving Memories

  A Tribute to Rosie

  by B-Ann

  Your gentle face and patient smile
  with fondness we recall
  You always had a kind word for each of us,
  and died beloved by all.
  The kids all loved your fingernails
  Each one, a color so bright
  Just count all those penguins you had,
  What a wonderful sight.
  The many haircuts,
  and the perms you gave,
  and all those pizzas
  that you made.
  We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
  As time goes by, we miss you more.
  But God has chosen your resting place,
  and now you are with loved ones, face to face.
  Your loving smile,
  Your gentle face,
  Rosie, no one will ever
  Take your place.
  You were the oldest of the family
  the matriarch of our family tree,
  Your kindness is not forgotten,
  nor will YOU ever be.

  As long as life and memories last,

  We will all remember, ROSIE!!!

  Reply

• From Jim:

  A Tribute to My Mother

  This is a celebration of my Mother’s life, and although we miss her…We are all the better for having had her in our lives.

  Rose Gurto was born August 4, 1918, the oldest child of Mary & Peter. She was “big sister” to: Jim, Christy, Tony, Frank, Joe, Pat, ‘Effie, Sue and Mary. She became the wife of 50 years to Bob Speer. She was Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Sister-in-law, Aunt, Great-Aunt, Great-Great-Aunt, Cousin and always and foremost a friend.

  My Mother always worked, as a child she helped her Mother take care of her brothers and sisters. Plus helped with chores around the house. As a young adult, she worked on the railroad, cutting grass and scrubs away from the tracks during W.W.II. After graduating from Conneaut High School, she worked at Brown Memorial Hospital. Throughout her married life, she worked as a hairdresser, she worked at Vince’s Pizza Shop and at The Pizza Shop, before she became co-owner of Rose’s Pizza Shop with her sister Effie. After selling the shop, she worked as a waitress, on the farm, and at a pool table making company, plus several other jobs.

  She enjoyed several hobbies…playing cards, various board games, oil painting, basket weaving, bingo, knitting, needlepoint and word search puzzles listed among them.

  Some of her greatest joys came from watching her family grow, and sharing in their lives. In her later years she was so happy to be there when Greg and then Pam graduated from High School, then started college.

  She endured uncomplained hardships to make the trips back to Conneaut from Wisconsin to visit family and friends, and to attend the Gurto family reunions.

  If my Mother could have had two wishes, the first would have been that everyone get along and enjoy their time together. Her second wish would have been to win a lottery so she could help needy people and to return to her beloved Ohio.

  Over the years we all watched this strong, fiercely independent, always-in-control woman become victim of her body. But inspite of her body’s betrayal, her mind was sharp, her mental reflexes fully functioning. Most importantly she never lost her humor, right to the end. I treasured every moment I had with her.

  My Mother never wanted to be in a nursing home and she wasn’t. She never wanted to be alone and she wasn’t.

  I know in my heart you are at peace and for that I am grateful. I know you are without pain and for that I am grateful. We are all going to miss you…more than words can say. I’ll remember you always, especially your humor.

  Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for being my Mother…and my friend.

  I’ll remember you always. I’ll remember the sound of your laughter, and your face the moment after…

  I’ll remember you…always.

  Love, Jim

  Reply

• From Sharen

  A POEM FOR THE GRIEVING…

  Do not stand at my grave and weep.
  I am not there, I do not sleep.
  I am a thousand winds that blow,
  I am the diamond glints on snow.

  I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
  I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
  When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
  I am the swift uplifting rush

  Of quiet birds in circled flight
  I am the stars that shine at night.
  Do not stand at my grave and cry,
  I am not there, I did not die…

  -Anonymous

  Taken from a Jewish scripture book

  As we speak we will remember them, for God had given to us the gift of memory
  that we keep alive those we love. In the rising of the sun and in its going down
  we remember them. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them. In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them. In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them. when we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them. When we have joys and special celebrations we yearn to share, we remember them. So long as we live, they too shall live. For they are a part of us, and we remember, always.

  Reply