So now it's final-our friend Beth Wegner has been remembered fondly, eulogized, and returned to the earth. It all was done in fine fashion, just the way she requested. The memorial service was lovely, with a beautiful song by Erin and Ryan accompanied by students, with fond remembrances from her colleague Cathy North of the Severn School, where Beth taught music for 14 years; from her good friend Wendy Jordan, who recounted Beth and Kent's attempt to acquire their first Welsh Springer from Rhonda Kuhn; and from Chuck Gandy, Beth's brother, who explained how his sister made him work harder and be better, if only to keep up with her.
Beth was, to me, a remarkable woman who looked the adversity of her cancer diagnosis squarely in the eye, knew exactly what the end game was going to be, and then went on to live her life the way she intended. If anything, she went on with a renewed vigor, refusing to miss opportunities to see new things, go to new places, do things that she maybe would have put off to later. She had the opportunity to see her dog Colin win Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club and at a Regional Specialty weekend, and she continued showing and breeding her beloved Welshies when she was feeling strong and well.
Losing Beth has left a big hole in the fabric of the Greater Chesapeake Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, where she was President. She was able to bring people together, get them to volunteer and cooperate and make the events the club hosted successful. She and Kent were breeder-owner-handlers of their dogs, and that in itself is turning into a rarity in this breed. Her presence in the breed ring will be greatly missed, especially by those of us who savor the company of other owner-handlers in the ring.
Wendy and Nancy Matthews and I were quiet and frayed and exhausted after the Saturday service and the reception and then gathering with the family at their home. So we decided to recharge ourselves on Sunday with a visit to downtown historic Easton, MD. It was Mothers Day, and a perfect day for window shopping and wandering the shady tree lined streets. At lunch, we three toasted this most remarkable woman-a mother and grandmother- who lived more fiercely in the last five years of her life than many of us do in a lifetime.
Farewell my friend-you inspired us with your courage, you taught us to live life to the fullest, and we will miss you every single day.
With love and prayers to Kent, Erin and Ryan,
Sandy Rohrbacher
Rysan Welsh Springers
Beth was, to me, a remarkable woman who looked the adversity of her cancer diagnosis squarely in the eye, knew exactly what the end game was going to be, and then went on to live her life the way she intended. If anything, she went on with a renewed vigor, refusing to miss opportunities to see new things, go to new places, do things that she maybe would have put off to later. She had the opportunity to see her dog Colin win Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club and at a Regional Specialty weekend, and she continued showing and breeding her beloved Welshies when she was feeling strong and well.
Losing Beth has left a big hole in the fabric of the Greater Chesapeake Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, where she was President. She was able to bring people together, get them to volunteer and cooperate and make the events the club hosted successful. She and Kent were breeder-owner-handlers of their dogs, and that in itself is turning into a rarity in this breed. Her presence in the breed ring will be greatly missed, especially by those of us who savor the company of other owner-handlers in the ring.
Wendy and Nancy Matthews and I were quiet and frayed and exhausted after the Saturday service and the reception and then gathering with the family at their home. So we decided to recharge ourselves on Sunday with a visit to downtown historic Easton, MD. It was Mothers Day, and a perfect day for window shopping and wandering the shady tree lined streets. At lunch, we three toasted this most remarkable woman-a mother and grandmother- who lived more fiercely in the last five years of her life than many of us do in a lifetime.
Farewell my friend-you inspired us with your courage, you taught us to live life to the fullest, and we will miss you every single day.
With love and prayers to Kent, Erin and Ryan,
Sandy Rohrbacher
Rysan Welsh Springers
RSS Feed