August 2, 2025
The following reflection was written by Ann, who recalled the loss of her dear husband Clete.
“He walks with me, he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own…”
These are the words I hear from God and my late husband, Clete, as I take my daily walks. The hymn “In the Garden” was one of Clete’s favorite hymns, and as he was escorted from church for his final visit by his five grandsons, Michael, Paul, Matthew, Ryan, Evan, and nephew John, our cantor sang the song just for him. From Holy Infant Church, his body and funeral procession passed by our home and then to the burial with military honors at the Orange Town Cemetery.
Clete never talked about his illness or dwelled upon it. He had faith in God and the doctors, and many people who cared for him during his illness.
He enjoyed the fellowship of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion, and he also heard daily Mass on TV and spiritually received Holy Communion daily. He enjoyed keeping up with the happenings in the town by watching the meetings on the local station.
I will miss him forever and love him forever. However, this is not the end of his life, but a new beginning.
Clete and I will be remembered as the couple who sat front and center in the second pew at Holy Infant. Now, I will be there alone, but will reflect on fond memories of coming to Holy Infant in 1967 and meeting with the pastor, who assured us the school system was one of the best.
The road to healing is sometimes long, but with God walking with me every step of the way, I can make it just fine. I will now focus on what I have and not what I have lost, as I know we will be together with all our loved ones one day.
Thank you, everyone, for touching our lives in every way. I have been blessed with the support of my family, my church, and my many friends, as well as my buddies at Homewood Acres Country Club, and the library where I spent so much time with Clete.
Hear “In the Garden” performed by Rosemary Siemens
https://youtu.be/3_dMzucjEaw?si=W8WW14bnNbYxroAZ
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