Two weddings and one memorial all the same day - that was a first for me. I started the day with assisting our minister at Unity Spiritual Center in a Celebration of Life ceremony for our beloved Lee Russell – a long-time and very well-loved member of our church. The church was packed – well over 200 people there.

After discussions with his daughter, she and I decided to open the ceremony with a Buddhist prayer as she laid a flower and prayer beads on a Buddha altar. It was a lovely tribute. After I did a message, the obituary and a prayer, Rev. Joanne did a phenomenal job honoring Lee’s unique and quirky personality. Several people gave lovely and funny eulogies including my husband, John, who talked about their shared love of music. All in all, it was a very special and loving memorial to a man we will all miss very much.