A Touching Example of a Eulogy for a Beloved Wife

This genuine eulogy was kindly shared with us by one of our readers who wrote this moving tribute for his wife’s funeral. 

"A Greek Philosopher, weeping for the loss of his beloved wife, was asked by a friend why he wept, since tears were of no avail. ‘I weep on that account’ was his response.

Caroline was a special person: she must have been to have put up with me for so long. I love her dearly. We have been blessed with a very long and happy marriage, which doesn’t make things easier at the moment, but I hope someday soon it will. 

We first met when we were still at school. Caroline was the goalkeeper of her High School Hockey Team- they never lost a match all season. 

After school, Caroline qualified as a nurse and then joined me having secured a job at the local hospital. 

When I had to move to pursue my research, Caroline moved with me and took up a job at the nearby hospital. 

In the winter of 1958, I was awarded a visiting fellowship at Harvard University. We became engaged married the following summer and, after a honeymoon in Cornwall, sailed to America on the Queen Mary.

After an interesting and rewarding year in the USA, we returned to England via the St. Lawrence Seaway. We then decided to see a bit more of the world, and I accepted a post in New Zealand. 

After three years there, during which we explored most of that beautiful country in our little Ford Anglia, we returned to London.

We returned by sea, visiting Tahiti, Panama, Jamaica and Bermuda, where we had visited previously when I was invited to play cricket for Harvard. 

On arrival in London, we were delighted to move into a delightful flat in one of the Georgian houses overlooking Regents Park. Caroline again obtained work nearby, so we were able to walk through the park together to our respective places of employment. 

After three years in London, I was appointed to a lectureship back up north, which brought us back into closer contact with family and friends. 

We bought our house up north, where we have lived together happily for 50 years, rejoicing in a succession of wonderful neighbours. 

During this time, we produced our much loved children, and subsequently our beautiful grandchildren were born. 

We have enjoyed walking in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

During the summers, we would drag our caravan 2 ½ thousand miles through France to the Costa Brava and back. 

Other travels included a second year in America, flying out to Wisconsin with young children in the middle of the Palestinian Hijackings. In Madison, we encountered much American hospitality where we were shaken but not un-stirred by the severity of the Wisconsin Winters. 

Caroline also accompanied me to several conferences in Europe, to Barcelona, Lille and Pisa. 

Our last foray abroad was to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary in Paris in 2009. 

In 1999 Caroline saved my life by getting me swiftly to hospital when I sustained a double brain haemorrhage after losing an argument with the sideboard. 

Three years ago Caroline was affected by a series of painful ailments which she bore without complaint and great fortitude. 

Last November she suffered a severe stroke. In hospital she contracted a chest infection on Boxing Day and died on New Year’s Eve. 

We all visited her every day since her stroke, and were fortunate to be with her at the end. 

I should like to pay my personal tribute to her remarkable courage, fortitude and the humour she displayed in facing the pain, distress and sheer frustration of her terrible affliction. 

She could smile at even the silliest of culinary and domestic mishaps we described to her. She spoke but a few words, but all of them will remain enshrined in my heart. 

I should also like to express our deepest gratitude for the loving and tender care with which she was treated by the nurses and doctors. She could not have been in better hands, and we thank them all. 

Caroline, I’m sure, would like me to thank you for all the Get Well, Christmas and Good will cards you sent her. She much enjoyed seeing them and inspected them intently, although I do recall one card with the caption: ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ which did arouse a rueful smile. 

I should also like to thank you all for coming here today, we have been so blessed with wonderful family, friends and neighbours who have helped us in so many different ways. 

We are deeply grateful to you all.  Caroline was my closest friend, constant companion and my better three-quarters. I love her dearly, and shall miss her terribly.                

Farewell my love. 

Related Pages: 

Planning a Funeral

Men and Grief

Books for Loss of a Wife

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