The funeral mass for Jacqueline McCandless closed this morning at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church with a neatly tied bow marked by a memorable blending of subtle, succinct eloquence and quintessential love.
Ross Hawkins, her husband of more than 40 years, was the last to ascend to the podium before the altar in the large, traditional and aging sanctuary.
A journalist known for his written word, Mr. Hawkins opened prosaically by individually thanking many of the faithful who came to honor the memory of the 73-year-old Ms. McCandless who died on Feb. 28.
“One time I was told that the only worthwhile things you leave behind are your family and friends,” he said. “Jackie had a wonderful life. Thank you,” and he noiselessly stepped away.
On a comfortingly warm and sunny morning, the mood of optimism and elevation that accented the funeral mass by Father Richard Gleason was reflected by relatives and friends who addressed the congregation.
Befitting a widely loved mother, grandmother, sister and co-worker who devoted more than 40 years of her life, down to her final day, as a medical technologist at Brotman Medical Center, the solemn 75-minute service was framed by two pillars of American religious tradition. The mass was preceded by “Amazing Grace” and ended with “How Great Thou Art.”
A particularly touching moment was when Brian Hawkins, one of Ms. McCandless’s two sons, made his tribute.
“My mother’s name was Jackie,” he said. “Her mother’s name was Lucy. They were the kindest people I ever knew.”
Self-deprecatingly, Mr. Hawkins said that sometimes “I have a chip on my shoulder. My mother would tell me, ‘From the time you wake up in the morning and your feet first hit the floor, you have a choice how to respond.’
“My mother always responded in the right and most noble way. That is what I aspire to.”
For 35 of the 40 years she was at Brotman, Pat Fournier was one of her closest associates there. Describing an affectionate necklace of similarities that tightened their bonds as friends, Ms. Fournier said that both were born into large Catholic families in the East — Ms. McCandless in Pennsylvania, Ms. Fournier in Maine — both families strongly valued education, both were mothers of two boys, and both loved garage sales. On the day her friend died last week, she went to the family home, not knowing the family was at the hospital, tried to enter, couldn’t, practically broke in through the rear door and was greeted, eerily, not by a voice but musical chimes. “I suddenly felt a cool breeze,” she said, and the undertone was of chimes silkily wafting through the empty home. That is a closing memory she will carry with her.
Through tears, Ms. McCandless’s niece called her aunt a visionary whose main purpose in life seemed to be to improve every person and every object she encountered. “Aunt Jackie restored everything she touched,” she said.
Several spoke fondly of her inordinate attraction to garage sales. “We all have enjoyed treasures from her weekend shopping sprees,” her niece said. “Aunt Jackie truly believed that one man’s trash is another woman’s treasure.”
Ms. McCandless’s sister Judy, known as Aunt Judy, said she marched to her own melody, regardless of the times. She recalled that “no one has bought a mu mu for the last 15 or 20 years. But you always knew what to get Jackie for her birthday or a special occasion.
“I miss her. But I am glad she is with the Lord.”
