Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the life of Ira Wellins. Having been married to him for 61 years obviously I knew him well, his imperfections included. I loved his wonderful sense of humor, his never-ending quest for knowledge, his quick response to someone who needed help – Let’s face it, I just plain loved him!
As I thought about what I wanted to say about him today a myriad of ideas went through my head, and I finally decided that there were two things I admired most about him - first, his integrity and second, his valuing all living creatures - (except mosquitoes.) If there was a fly in the house he would get a newspaper and shoo it outside. If there was a spider he would get a container, trap the spider inside and then set it free outdoors. Sometimes spiders were left alone in the hope that they would trap the hated mosquitoes. His influence was so great on his daughters that Diane once nursed a sick bumblebee back to health.
One of my favorite stories about Ira happened many years ago when he owned a drugstore. The IRS was targeting pharmacies that year and his was one of the ones chosen. Other pharmacists sympathized with him, figuring he must be worried because it was common practice to let a bit of the daily sales go unreported. The IRS men searched and searched and couldn’t find any irregularities, so they continued to dig. They finally found an irregularity - he had overpaid and the government owed him money.
I have many wonderful memories of our lives together – raising two beloved daughters, traveling cross country in our Volkswagen camper a dozen times, enjoying three exceptional grandchildren – too many memories to talk about today, but many of them make me smile and I know they will sustain me in the weeks and months ahead. I cherish the knowledge that for 61 plus years I never once doubted that he loved me.
In August Ira was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He never complained, he always had a ready smile, and tried very hard not to be a burden to me. Because of his cheerful nature we had six very special months together. On the afternoon before his death I was sitting on the bed next to him, with Diane, Samantha and Sarah standing nearby, and he sang me a love song which he had sung many times – "Those Endearing Young Charms." I am so grateful for that last day together.
As I thought about what I wanted to say about him today a myriad of ideas went through my head, and I finally decided that there were two things I admired most about him - first, his integrity and second, his valuing all living creatures - (except mosquitoes.) If there was a fly in the house he would get a newspaper and shoo it outside. If there was a spider he would get a container, trap the spider inside and then set it free outdoors. Sometimes spiders were left alone in the hope that they would trap the hated mosquitoes. His influence was so great on his daughters that Diane once nursed a sick bumblebee back to health.
One of my favorite stories about Ira happened many years ago when he owned a drugstore. The IRS was targeting pharmacies that year and his was one of the ones chosen. Other pharmacists sympathized with him, figuring he must be worried because it was common practice to let a bit of the daily sales go unreported. The IRS men searched and searched and couldn’t find any irregularities, so they continued to dig. They finally found an irregularity - he had overpaid and the government owed him money.
I have many wonderful memories of our lives together – raising two beloved daughters, traveling cross country in our Volkswagen camper a dozen times, enjoying three exceptional grandchildren – too many memories to talk about today, but many of them make me smile and I know they will sustain me in the weeks and months ahead. I cherish the knowledge that for 61 plus years I never once doubted that he loved me.
In August Ira was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He never complained, he always had a ready smile, and tried very hard not to be a burden to me. Because of his cheerful nature we had six very special months together. On the afternoon before his death I was sitting on the bed next to him, with Diane, Samantha and Sarah standing nearby, and he sang me a love song which he had sung many times – "Those Endearing Young Charms." I am so grateful for that last day together.
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