A Tribute to My Mom

by Michael Stephenson, August 2017

I thank You, Lord, for my mom.

My mom went Home to be with The Lord on August 9, 2017.

She is absent from the body, present with The Lord.
Her love is one of the constants of my life.
Her support was one of lifes greatest encouragements.
When I went to see her, her face ALWAYS lit up with joy.
I cannot count the times I heard the phrase my Michael.

Mom loved to give.

She loved to give me my favorite foods.
She gave me an example of serving others.
She gave me a love for church.
She gave me an example of responsibility.
 Moms transparency was, well, a lot of life.
She was honest about her hurts.
She was honest about her personal failures.
She was honest about what she did not like!
She was honest about her greatest blessings her family.
To my mom, her family was her life.

Mom's favorite hymn is Blessed Assurance.

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine.
O what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story. This is my song.
Praising my Savior all the day long.

At Mom's Celebration of Life on August 12th,

I was privileged to share the following about
Mom's Blessed Assurance:
Mom gained Blessed Assurance because Jesus is Mine.
Mom knew Jesus personally.
Mom gained Blessed Assurance because Jesus saved her.
She is an heir of salvation.
Mom gained Blessed Assurance because Jesus redeemed her.
She was purchased of God.
Mom gained Blessed Assurance because Jesus forgave her.
She was washed in His blood.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me my Mom.

Thank you, Mom, for your perseverance.

Thank you, Mom, for your willingness to laugh with me,
even when we were laughing at you.
Thank you, Mom, for bringing us to church
And for changing churches.
THAT decision made all the difference in the world.
Thank you, Mom, for your example of serving others.
All of us are less selfish because of you.
Thank you, Mom, for your faith in Jesus.
This is a great gift to us.
 Thank you, Mom, for living Jesus.
This is the greatest light of your life
And THE ONE your children appreciate the most.

With all my love,

Your Michael

STEPHENSON, Joan Patricia (nee Houlihan)

Went home to Heaven to be with Jesus on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.
Beloved mother of the late Colleen (John) Meraglia, Johnny (Yvette) Stephenson,
Michael (Diane) Stephenson, Joan (Gerry) Patrick and Nilma (Al)
Stewart.Treasured sister of Edward (Mary) Shult and Irene Smith.
Predeceased by brothers Thomas Houlihan and Robert Houlihan.

Joan loved Jesus, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was
her life. She was a me mber of CazChurch in South Buffalo. She sang in the choir and
served in the AWANA program for many years.
Joan enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours to be held at CazChurch,

520 North Legion Dr., Buffalo, 14210, Saturday, August 12, from 10 AM- 12 noon.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the church at noon. Burial will be at Mt.
Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to CazChurch.