Jeanne Rusko Funeral

Isaiah 43:1–7 ESV

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Isaiah 43:1-

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Children of God theme

“I have called you by name and you are mine.” These encouraging words from the prophet Isaiah point to our true identity. What a comfort this is at such a time as this. This central tenant of the Christian faith is that we all have a place of belonging. We are all God’s beloved children.

As such, we are called together to encourage one another along the way throughout this difficult journey that is life. Today, we celebrate the life of one of God’s beloved children: one who was dedicated to those she loved and who walked a faithful walk. One who encouraged those around her to do so as well.

The passage we read from one of Paul’s letter to Timothy was written near the end of the Apostle Paul’s life. He is truly one who lived into his identity as one of God’s beloved. And in this passage, he tells us what that looks like.

He starts by talking about being “poured out” as and offering. What he means there is a life of dedication to faith and service. Service like caring for others, loving those around you.

Pouring out as an offering: a person’s life given as an offering or dedication. Paul writes this as he sees his life nearing its end.

As an athlete myself, I can appreciate Paul’s metaphor of finishing a race or big athletic event. He compares this life of dedication to something that takes training and practice and perseverance.

And as I heard Jeanne’s family talk about how she was always up for anything, I couldn’t help but think that she was of a similar spirit to Paul - the sort who is willing to jump in with both feet - even if she couldn’t swim - who would go out there and live life fully and give it her all. Backpacking, walking around on vacation with a broken foot rather than slowing anyone down, riding a runaway horse.

Faith is not an easy road.

Jeanne did that, so we celebrate today the crown she wears now. The crown that Paul refers to here is not a royal crown, but the crown of laurels that would have been awarded an athlete upon completion of a great feat. Her race is over and now she gets to stand as a member of the great gathering of all the saints from all the ages who stand as our cheerleaders while we continue run that race. I have a feeling being surrounded by the saints of all the ages and cheering for her loved ones who are still running is right up her alley.

The crown that Paul refers to here is not a royal crown, but the crown of laurels that would have been awarded an athlete upon completion of a great feat.

The crown is not something that we look at today as just Jeanne’s reward, but as an inspiration to carry on as she did. Let us follow in her example by continuing our run: calmly and with strength, regardless of the chaos around us. Let us live our lives secure in the knowledge that we have an identity that is greater than any the world can give us. We are the children of God, called to something special.

Women’s social group, dad did work on the church. Dad built the addition. Long family tradition at SAUPC.

Involved at school for Sandy - volunteering, took kids to lessons by cab. Loved to play bridge with friends - “Smokey bridge parties”

Called dad “Michelle” called Sandy “George”

Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime

She loved to be surrounded by people and just talk and listen. Loved to take walks together, hike in the woods. Loved to travel, always just rolled with it. Always forgot a present somewhere at Christmas. Loved holiday dinners - formal, she was in charge and it was all wonderful, family china, etc.

Vacation in Bermuda - she was afraid of water and didn’t swim. Went on a sailboat with a champagne brunch, etc to a private island for the luncheon. They had to figure out how to get her to the island from the boat. They had life preservers on and she jumped in with the life jacket on and another in her hands and Sandy pulled her to the island. She didn’t want to slow down or mess up the trip.