Tribute

Linda Elizabeth Shoop (nee Rolfe)

Born: December 15, 1946 in Romford, Essex, UK.

Died: January 22, 2019 in Duncan, B.C., Canada.

Linda’s first vocation was that of wife, mother and ‘Nanny’. Many will also remember her as a gifted primary school teacher. Proverbs 31 gives voice to the excellence with which she fulfilled these callings:

“A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her….

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who loves the LORD is to be praised.

Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her…”

Linda lived her last few months, in the knowledge that she was dying, with the faith, grace and dignity expressed in the poem:

‘ Let Evening Come’

Let the light of late afternoon

shine through chinks in the barn, moving

up the bales as the sun moves down.

Let the cricket take up chafing

as a woman takes up her needles

and her yarn. Let evening come.

Let dew collect on the hoe abandoned

In long grass. Let the stars appear

and the moon disclose her silver horn.

Let the fox go back to its sandy den.

Let the wind die down. Let the shed

go black inside. Let evening come.

To the bottle in the ditch, to the scoop

in the oats, to air in the lung

let evening come.

Let it come, as it will, and don’t

be afraid. God does not leave us

comfortless, so let evening come.

By Jane Kenyon

A most suitable act of remembrance would be for you to read a story to a child, often.

There will be a gathering for family and friends in August of this year. If you hope to be present, please write to 4037 Johns Rd, Duncan, B.C., Canada, V9L 6S7 or telephone 250-746-1719. Blessings.