Eulogies:
Elizabeth Yost Hammer, Psi Chi National President
Glenda Earwood-Smith, Executive Director of Alpha Lambda Delta
Nell W. Mohney, Speaker, Writer, Columnist
Nell W. Mohney
Speaker, Writer, Columnist
[The following eulogy was delivered by Dr. Mohney at the Memorial Service for Kay Wilson, held on June 9, 2003, at the First-Centenary United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.]
Kay called me soon after her diagnosis and asked me to have lunch with her. I had had cancer, and she wanted to ask me some questions. First she asked, "Do you believe in healing?" I said, "Of course. I believe God uses doctors, nurses, our own care of our bodies, etc, as well as occasional intervention. I'll tell you something else--I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."
I had known Kay when she had small children and she and Joe were members of my Sunday school class. She used to ask particularly penetrating, intelligent questions. As we had lunch together that day, she asked me some of these same types of questions. I suggested some books she might read to help her as she sought answers.
After our lunch together, I went away for a speaking engagement. When I returned, I went to the hospital to see her. Her spirits were high, and she said, "My bags are packed and I'm ready to go." She talked about her gratitude for her family, for her friends, for her opportunities in life, and especially for the opportunity to serve Psi Chi, which she considered a very high honor. As she reflected on those people who meant so much to her, she added, "I know that I've had a marvelous time on this earth, but I also know I'll see them again."
That was my last visit with her. I give thanks for her life and her statement of faith, and I salute her as a courageous, intelligent person who enjoyed life tremendously.
____________________________________________
Fall 2003 issue of Eye on Psi Chi (Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 52), published by Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology (Chattanooga, TN). Copyright, 2003, Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology. All rights reserved.