In Loving Memory

*Note to the start of this blog; I am writing this a month a before her angle date. They say give yourself a year, but you will never stop hurting and missing them. Also I am typing this from one point of few MINE!

Let me start from the beginning. Greg's mom got sick around the 10th of February when she went to the doctor they asked the family to come in. Greg was not able to make it. Sonya and Tana came over right after the doctor talked to the family. They gave her 10 days. (she lasted 6). They let her come home to keep her comfortable. Greg and I got to spend that Monday 15th with her. (Sunday was the last day she came out of her room.) Tuesday the 16th I told Greg I would see him up at his moms after work. I went Visiting Teaching, right as I walked in my phone rang and it was the news we all know was coming but did not want to come. I lost it! I have never had a panic attack that I know but I came very close that day, I could not breath.

I called my mom first, she was perfect she gave me very clear direction on what to do. Call Danielle to come watch the boys so I could leave ASAP!  Called Timber to come get the boys later in the day. I have to say you never know how much you are loved until you really need them. Danielle was in Orem dropped her shopping to come be at my house. Timber had the kids packed and in the car with in 15 min. Mom and Dad came down the next day. It was nice knowing my kids were taken care of.

February 16th was a very hard day. There was so much to get done but the main thing we just being with family

The rest of the week was a lot of very special experience. At the time we did not see it but looking back we ALL know that Rhonda was right there directing us.

Greg had to talk at the funeral. Sidney and MacKayla also told stories.

Here is Greg’s Talk:

Rhonda Maureen Proctor died peacefully in her home Tuesday, February 16, 2016 after a year- long battle with cancer.  Rhonda was born on August 11, 1947 in Lusk, Wyoming to Viola Lavona Peterson and John Alden DeGroot.  She became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 14.  She graduated from Aurora Central High School in Aurora, Colorado in 1965.

 Met and dated Dad while in Denver CO. Story – Found a Peanut (Gary sang Found a Peanut outside her window when they started dating)

 Story – Proposal -- Rhonda married Gary J. Proctor in the Manti Temple on February 11, 1969. 

 Mom and always sought to take care of everybody and everything. Story – “Saving” a Robin. ( she tried to catch a Robin on the freeway once. She thought it was hurt but it flew away when she got close to it. 

 She had three sons and two daughters.   She is survived by her mother, Viola Thatcher; brother, David DeGroot; and her children, Gary Jay Proctor, Troy Proctor, Tana Proctor Olsen (Corey Olsen), Sonya Proctor Crawford (James Crawford), and Greg Proctor (Syringa Amy), grandchildren and a great grandbaby.

 She graduated from Brigham Young University in August of 1991 with a degree in Special Education. She later earned her Masters Degree in Education. She taught at Park View Elementary and Taylor Elementary schools for over 25 years. Her love of education and reading has been instilled in her children and grandchildren.

 Story – Importance of FAMILY being together and enjoying dinner on Sundays. (Every Sunday we had dinner

 She is leaving a great posterity including 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Mom loved teaching, reading, crocheting, and doing crafts.  She especially loved taking care of her family which she did up to the very end of her life.  She loved tremendously, served selflessly, cared abundantly, and lived beautifully.

 Story – Sports and activities – Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Football, Dance, Tennis, Plays and Choir. (she went to everything that she could. 

 She will be missed, but we know she will continue to be with us as our guardian angel.

 One thing that was said at her funeral was; she knew that she could help her family more in Heaven than on Earth. The past year I have seen her hand in so many family things.

One really cool thing for me was, I got to go in and help dress her. I truly did love my mother-in-law.

It was very hard to try to explain to the kids. Colvin did not really understand, that was very hard for Greg since Colvin will have no memories of her. Denali will know of her but have very few memories of her.  I hate that I cannot take the pain away from Greg. 

There have been lot of tears, but this really brought the family back into focus. We spend a ton of time with ALL the family in the week falling her passing.

I want to focus on her LIFE!!! 

 

There were a lot of people that send cards and flowers. Here are just a few. One really cool one was from my grandparents.