Today was a sad day in our family as we laid to rest a wonderful woman, my Grandma, Emma Louise Spatz who was 88. In many ways she was my other mother, my Moms best friend and someone I saw everyday from birth until I moved from Pennsylvania.

Born May 7, 1921, in Jersey Shore, Pa. she was the daughter of the late Raymond W. and Maude (Devine) Zettle. She married Edward M. King, Jr., who passed away in 1960 and then remarried Donald B. Spatz, to whom she was married 47 years.

She was a beautiful person inside and out as my mother constantly said. Her greatest quality was her inner strength. She was quiet, little lady and people may not have been aware of the wisdom and strength she possessed. I could tell you about her accomplishments, but her true rewards and treasures where her family; 6 children which turn into 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loved them with every ounce of her being and the world is better for it. The greatest gift she gave to us all was love.

While this time has been hard, I’m reminded that our loved ones really never die… they just go beyond our earthly sight into that land where there is no night; and this poem really helps us understand they are waiting for us.

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you
For a little while,
Please do not grieve
And shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you
Through the years,
But start out bravely
With a smile.

And for my sake
And in my name,
Live on and do
All the things the same.

Feed not your loneliness
On empty days,
But fill each waking hour
In useful ways.

Reach out your hand in comfort
And in cheer,
And I, in turn, will comfort you
And hold you near.
And never, never
Be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you
In the sky.

- Helen Steiner Rice -