DECEMBER 1999/JANUARY 2000
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 35
Ellen Cream A Pioneer in Bereavement Counselling
POETRY
By MAURA McCAY
VANCOUVER — Distinguished local funeral director Ellen Crean passed away peacefully at home at the age of 82 after several months battling cancer.
Crean's parents established Kearney Funeral Home on West Broadway in Vancouver in 1908. Her father had prospered in Dawson City during the Klondike gold rush and had taken over a Vancouver funeral business.
Bom Ellen Isabel Kearney on October 12, 1916, Ellen trained and then worked in the field of bereavement service for over 60 years. In 1938, she became the first female funeral director when she earned a mortician's licence which qualified her in California, Washington and British Columbia.
In a field where women are still unusual, she became the first Canadian to be certified under the Association of Death Educator and Counselling. She was named an honourary life member of the
ELLEN CREAN
Funeral Service Association of B.C.
Ellen Crean was instrumental in bringing world-class speakers on death and loss to Vancouver and championed the importance of die Christian rites of a formalized funeral and burial, believing them to be instrumental in helping the bereaved to heal.
Her focus was on community education and she was a pioneer in helping to establish such groups as the British Columbia Bereavement Foundation and the B.C.
chapter of Compassionate Friends of Bereaved Parents.
She was also an active member of a myriad of of community organizations ranging from the Vancouver Hospice Program to the Vancouver Rotary Women's Auxiliary.
Her last few years were spent trying-to find ways to help those living in the city's downtown eastside to deal with their addictions. She was a strong advocate of Rotary's educational program which aims to help youngsters steer clear of drugs.
In 1992, Ellen Crean expanded the business from the original Kearney Funderal Services in Vancouver to include Columbia-Bowell Funeral Chapel in New Westminster. Her funeral homes were the first in the province to handle deaths from AIDS.
Crean's sons Tom and Michael have continued the Kearney tradition of service to the bereaved. Other family members have followed in her footsteps and become involved with bereavement counselling and initiating bereavement programs in several churches.
Fond Memories of a Special Friend: Ethel Pollock
By PAM GLASS
VANCOUVER — Who was Ethel Pollock? She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a successful businesswoman, a friend, and Sean O'Casey's "Juno."
My husband Cecil and I first met the Pollocks, Tony and Ethel in 1957 at the wedding of Ellie Collie and Paddy Farrell. We had just arrived from Prince George, where we had emigrated in 1952 from Ireland.
At the wedding reception, we sat with Tony and Ethel and exchanged yarns about where we came from and how we met. Cecil was from Catlenock and I was from Malahide. Ethel said she worked with a girl whose "daddy had a garage in Castlenock."
Whereupon, Cecil asked, "did she work at the Abbey Clothing Company?" Ethel admitted she did and Cecil volunteered that his sister Lily also worked there and said, "you must be Ethel Brophy!"
We enjoyed their company over t»c past 24 years — Tony and Cecil constantly at Westside and Vancouver 86ers soccer matches, and Ethel and I enjoying each other s company over a cup of "cha."
Ethel and Tony arrived in Canada with four young children, David, Margie, Deryk and Virgina. And, hke us they suffered homesick-uf8S kut tney settled down in their new country. They joined |he Emerald Players, the Irish theatre company, and shared their talents with theatre-goers who enjoyed good wholesome theatre.
We shared our joys and sorrows in bringing up children, shared in the joyful arrival of Carol and Bernie and joined the pride and happiness of Ethel and Tony at the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren.
The Pollock home on West Third was the scene of many happy celebrations over the years. The door was always open and the kettle on for the many visitors. The Irish dancing costume made by Ethel for our eldest daughter Maeve (Wright) is now proudly worn by her daughter Eilish.
The 54-year old partnership between Ethel and Tony was broken in July 1998 when Tony left us. Then, on November 1, "Juno" (Ethel) went to join her beloved "Captain" (Tony) in the great heavenly theatre in the sky. We are the richer for having known her and the poorer for her leaving us.
In Memory of Norah Davis
VANCOUVER — On November 12, my great-aunt Norah Davis passed away after she was brutally attacked in her home. She had just turned 84 and had many more lively years to live. Norah was a great lady who gave so much to everything and everyone around her.
The other day my grandma and I looked through old pictures of her sister and herself. The photos showed her and Norah growing up happily together, always by one another's side.
She was a great entertainer and my fondest memory would be going to her place at Christmas time and watching the carol ships from her balcony. She would entertain the whole family with her gracious organ playing and great cooking.
It sickens me to think someone could do such a thing to such an innocent lady. The day Norah died, we were all robbed of a life that meant so much to us
— Clare Boggan
THE PRAYER SHIELD FOR POLICE FORCES
Almighty and most merciful Father, we commend to your gracious care and protection all the men and women of our police force. Protect them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which they may encounter, wisdom in the decisions which they must make, and patience to suffer the wrongs, and abuses which others insensitively direct at them.
Grant that knowing the dangers which beset them, they may ever take thought for the safety of each other. We make this prayer for you, Father, for all the law enforcementofficers, especially those who are close to us, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
This Westerly did whisper "She's waiting there for you!" But on the sea crashes shouts: "She's not the one for you!" And let the thunder speak: "Time waits for no one but you wait for time
So make action from your inaction
and sail to your destiny"
So, I set my sail and let the wind
wail
And across the great sea I did roam
The wind did fill my sail The wind did lift my heart I felt I was on my way home But a terrible sight did fill me with fright
T'was clouds blacker than the ace of spades
And muffled prayers from trembling lips
Could not calm my trembling legs But this Westerly did blow me past
Those dark threats and
menacings
And whispered:
"Tis I that breathes upon the sea, I steal light for darkness To show the moon's mystery So fear no for the likes of me And press on with your journey" Tears nearly filled my eyes And I sawlhe land rise A green emerald where dawn might first show
Pulled tight the ropes as my blood raced
I pushed that ship as fast as she would go
As I reach the shore
A foreigner no more
You were waiting there for me
A century and a half
How could love last?
It seems that hearts
May be stronger than minds
And so, at journey's end,
It's time to begin
I've come home to Ireland.
— Daniel Fagan
Kearney Funeral Services
Broadway Chapel
1096 West Broadway
Vancouver, V6H 1E3 (604) 736-0268 Columbia - Bowell Chapel
219 Sixth Street.
New Westminister, V3L3A2 (604) 521-4881
The Foggy Dew Irish Pub in Richmond and Coquitlam
Is the place to be for all your entertainment needs
Don't forget our great daily Irish specialty food & beverage feature. Always friendly faces and great service!
»fc MONTHOF DECEMBER /JANUARY EVENT CALENDAR
Foggy Dew, Coquitlam : Dec. 10 & 11 - Town Pants Dec. 1 7 & 18 - Mark Vance Dec. 24 & 25 -No band booked Dec. 31 - Jan 1 - Town Pants New Year's Tickets on Sale Now! - Bring in the year 2000 with the fabulous Town Pants $75 - Buffet Dinner & Dance Guaranteed seating at 7:00 p.m. $50 Dance & Party Entrance at 9:00 p.m. Jan. 7-8 - Pop Junkies Jan. 14-15 - Small Mercies Jan. 21-22 - J. Walker & The
Pedestrians Jan. 28-29 - Piper Down Feb. 4-5 - Pop Junkies Feb. 11-12 - Town Pants Feb. 18-19- Piper Down
405 North Road
(in the Executive Plaza Hotel) Coquitlam, B.C.
(604) 937-5808
Foggy Dew, Richmond :
Dec. 17 & 18-R&R Dec. 24 &. 25
- Merry Christmas! Dec. 31 - Millennium New Year's Eve
- call for information
Jan. 7-8 - Elyra Jan. 14-15 - Piper Down Jan. 21-22-Crofters Jan. 28-29 - Holidays Feb 11 -12 - Piper Down
7311 Westminster Highway, Richmond B.C.
(604) 270-2266