By David F. Rooney
More than 45 people gathered In Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday to commemorate two “beautiful human beings,” the late Lois Masur and Shirley Tomlinson.
“They are both beautiful human beings and we miss them very much,” Gwen Battersby told the assembled crowd of Revelstoke Hospice Society members.
The two women were long-time volunteers with the society and other community organizations.
Jill Holloway read a poem published in 1912 by Christian Larson that brought tears to the eyes of some of the assembled crowd:
“Promise yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”
Lois Masur’s brother Ken Millar said the brief ceremony was dignified and touching and was the kind of gracious ritual that his younger sister would have appreciated.
“Lois never sought recognition,” he said. “I think she would have been proud.”
