Community Voices: Sunrise, Sunset
Part of living in community, especially a church community, is that we come to love each other and care for each other deeply. When a person enters the community, like Ruby June on Easter, we rejoice together. When a person leaves our community, we weep together. I wept last week as I took communion to Sonia McCoy who has moved up to Santa Cruz to be nearer to her son and receive a higher level of care. Those of you who knew Sonia know that she wasn't one for fanfare (well, unless it included music, especially jazz music). She was very clear she didn't want people to know she was leaving until she was gone. So to that end, her good friend Ruth Krusic has written the following. We are asking ANY AND ALL members of St. Cross to send Sonia a note of love, letting her know we miss her and we love her as we were not able to say so in person at church.
Peace,
Rachel+
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Knowing my Friend, Sonia McCoy:
It was July, sixteen years ago when a very lonely, newly widowed Ruth Krusic entered St Cross Episcopal church for the Sunday service. That Sunday, there was a very lovely woman playing the piano and as I myself am also a pianist was quite moved. The Rev. Kate Lewis was the priest that Sunday and Rev. Kate stopped me after the service and patiently listened to my story of 46 happy years and my present loss. She encouraged me to come to the group “Enduring Hearts” and after my visit home to family, I joined that group. I felt I had definitely found a church home.
On entering the room for the meeting, the lovely woman that had played the piano was sitting on the sofa. I introduced myself:
- Hello, my name is Ruth!
- Hello, my name is Sonia!
- I will definitely remember your name as my daughter is also Sonja!
- To which Sonia replied and I will remember your name as my mother was also Ruth!
Obviously, we had an instant connection.
Sonia encouraged me to play for the Longest Night Service, Encouraged me to join the chancel choir, suggested that I play in the Bell Choir, try the Sociable Seniors and of course many lunches that a few of the “white haired” ladies enjoyed after church on Sundays. I loved her enthusiasm, her friendship, her pianistic abilities and her wisdom. She could also be quite outspoken and that was fun too.
The pandemic affected many of us and it was very difficult on Sonia. She retired from the chancel choir, retired from Bells, sold her car and had difficulty seeing. Living alone has become too strenuous, and her daughter and her son have arranged for her to relocate to the Santa Cruz area, to a beautiful facility where she will be close to her son.
I personally will miss Sonia and the family has given me permission to share her new address with anyone who wishes to contact her:
Sonia McCoy
c/o Steven Creagh
1099 38th Ave, #24
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Many Blessings!
-Ruth Krusic
