Goodbye to a Special Lady

Claire Hughes was in her late 80's I think and still very sharp. She died recently after a lengthy and painful illness. She had told me several times that she wanted to die - that it was time to die - that she was tired of living with pain.

I met Claire when I lived in Phoenix, Arizona (USA). She lived with her friend Marcy, another wonderful woman. Claire and Marcy were nuns for many years until they decided it was time to start a different kind of life. They started their new life with few belongings and little money because the Catholic church requires that you donate all of your personal belongings to the church. Claire had an MS in Library Science and Marcy was a teacher (mostly English as a second language). As nuns, they traveled and lived in interesting places that included Hawaii and Bolivia. They moved to Globe, Arizona and worked there, then moved to the Phoenix area and then up to Prescott, Arizona.

I met Claire at a vulnerable time in my life. I had just separated from my "ex-husband" and moved to Mesa, Arizona to start my new life. I met Claire because she was my second cousin (my mother's cousin). I loved her because she was warm, and caring, intelligent and wise. Despite her connection to the church, she was open to all kinds of ideas and beliefs. It truly surprised me; I didn't expect such openness. It was a comfort to me just to know that she and Marcy lived nearby.

I only lived in Phoenix for 2 1/2 years, so I didn't get to spend a lot of time with Claire and Marcy, and subsequent visits were from a long distance and brief. When Tim and I were getting ready for our move to Oz, I would liked to have driven over to Prescott to say goodbye. I talked to her by phone on several occasions in those last months, so at least we had some contact. However, my car was in the shop for hail damage for two months and the last couple of weeks were frantic to prepare for our move. I didn't say goodbye to Claire, even though I knew she was dying. I wish I had. I wish I had taken the time and the effort to go to Prescott.

I feel blessed that I got to know Claire. She was a cool old lady. I'm not sorry she died - I hate to think of her living with such pain and she said she was ready to go. I will miss her though. Even though I didn't see or talk to her very often, it felt good just to know she was there.

So goodbye Claire - I know you will keep them in line up there! My love to you.

Judi