Transit Shop In Mourning

[GuyJD]

Last Wednesday, I went to work like any average day. But while receiving our assignments, our service leader told us that the clerk of the shop has been missing since that Monday. She reported to work and no one had seen her or her car since.
Then this past Wednesday, we got the news that we all assumed but didn't want to accept. The police found her car and in the trunk was her body. Because the crime is still under investigation, not much more is known.
I can't get her image out of my head. She was always a beautiful & happy person. When I was on the day shift, I would be in her office almost daily to buy a cup of coffee and bagel. Occassionally, I work overtime and when I clock out at 6 AM, there she was firing up the coffee and spreading out the bagels. I used to tease her about her cute, "Edith Bonker" sounding voice. Needless to say, I even found myself shedding a few tears for her one evening as I worked.
MY QUESTION: I've gone through an incident like this before when a former coworker of mine was shot and killed while he was off duty. I had just seen him about a month prior and decided not to attend his funeral because I wanted to remember him when I last saw him....Happy and Lively.
I saw the clerk almost daily and will always remember her happiness and cheerfulness. Should I always remember her that way or attend her funeral to pay my respect to her?

 

[Ice Princess]

I'm really sorry about your co-worker. What a terrible thing. I don't think there is a single right answer to your question about the funeral, though. If you knew her family and you being at the funeral would offer them any support or comfort, I'd say that might be a compelling reason to attend, but if that's not the case, sending them a card and remembering her in your own way might be more fitting. If the other people you work with are planning to do something -- send flowers, hold some sort of service, or even a moment of silence -- taking part in that might be just as good a way of honoring her memory.

All of us have faced so many of these questions lately. That's the way I myself have been trying to make such decisions. Maybe other people can contribute their feelings on the subject too and help you decide.

 

[GuyJD]

THANK YOU ICE PRINCESS

Actually, you did help. Our service leader mentioned making a contribution Friday buy she left before I can give her mine. Hopefully, I'll see her today and give her something to go towards flowers for the funeral.

 

[Beebeeblue]

Hey Guy.....

Its hard when you lose a friend like that. I know. Been there, done that.


As for paying your respects.....

I think whatever is comfortable with you. I always believed that those that passed on understand the way some of us deal with death, and how we choose to remember them.

We lost a co-worker last yr, at work, due to a heartattack. She was a ray of sunshine to everyone that took the time to tell her Good Morning, and god forbid if she had to tell you first. Most of us attended the funeral. One girl had a hard time with funerals, and sent flowers to be planted at her grave. That was how she paid her respects. It doesnt take much Guy. As long as you have her in your thots, that is all it takes.

 

[GuyJD]

Thanks BEEBEE.....I think you and Ice Princess hit it on the head for me.

I'll be making that contribution today when I get to work in an hour.

Once again, thanks to you two for your inputs.

 

[Beebeeblue]

Anytime Guy.....anytime