On this cold and rainy weekend of October 20th, 2023, the extended Weber family got together in the Hudson Highlands for the interment of Midge and Marvin (Mo). Though Marvin passed away on December 23rd, 2020, his remains waited in an urn until Midge passed away on February 20th, 2023 so that they be interred together, as they wished, in the West Point cemetery. Mo, who graduated from the West Point Military Academy, and Midge loved the Hudson Highlands and lived nearby after retirement.
Service Site at the West Point Cemetery.
This weekend was a rough one for me! Going to the funeral of two of my best friends in the western hemisphere was hard, very hard! I rarely cry in public, but I do cry in my own private spaces such as my home and hotel rooms. When I am alone, all the memories I had of Midge and Mo come back and trigger the crying, it is my way of closing a chapter of my life. I have done a lot of crying lately, from the passing of my dad (2005), then my older brother (2008) and recently my sister (2023) and ... now Midge and Mo!! My mental strength has been tested but I have to continue the journey I was sent to this world for... trying to understand this fascinating world we live in.
Service Site at the West Point Cemetery.
As if my trip to the Hudson Highlands was not hard enough emotionally, I had to deal with an expired driver license which resulted in me not being able to pick up my rental car!!! So after few minutes of wondering how to get to West Point from Newark airport, Uber came to my mind. Luckily, I had the Uber App on my iPhone, so I used it. The first Uber driver changed his mind and declined to drive me there... His excuse, too far and he was not licensed in New York!! Ok, I said, let's try again, the second Uber driver accepted to drive me there after telling him I was going to a funeral. He was a very nice guy, and we had a great conversation all the way to the Lodge. After arriving at the Bear Mountain Lodge, I called Mary Lou, Mo and Midge's daughter to let her know I arrived. She asked me to join the family at her rental home on Dry Creek Rd for food and fun with everyone. After telling her my story about the rental car, she quickly came by and picked me up. There was food, games and laughter all around just as Midge and Mo would have wanted it. By 10 pm we started heading out to our rooms to get some rest and be ready for the next day service.
We woke up early the next day as we had to get ready for the service. I got to ride in one of the family members' cars to the service location. On the way, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee. We then headed to a parking lot where everyone was gathering and organizing the procession of cars before heading to the interment site. A chilly, steady rain was falling the whole time. The procession of cars with flashing lights proceeded to the interment site. A small tent with chairs was setup for the funeral, and umbrellas were provided as well. Midge and Mo's immediate family, kids and grandkids, sat in the tent area. I opted to stand in the back of the tent with my umbrella open to protect me from the steady, chilly rain. A Priest was leading the service, followed by soldiers folding an American flag and handing it to Mary Louise. While this service was going on, a gun salute was also being performed to honor Colonel Marvin's service to the nation as an air force pilot. After the service, we headed to the chapel nearby for pictures and giving condolences to the immediate family, kids and grandkids. Following that, Mary Lou asked everyone to head to the Thayer Hotel for a memorial luncheon.
Extended Family Picture on the Chapel Steps
The Display Section of Luncheon Area: Midge and Mo Memories.
Standing: Michael (front) telling a story, Mary Lou (center) and Mark (back)
Everyone was emotional as shown on Mary Lou and Mark's faces.
The luncheon was more of a celebration of Midge and Mo's lives, with picture displays and short stories about Midge and Mo. Michael, the older son, started with fun stories and memories of Midge and Mo. Mark, the older son, and Mary Lou followed. Other family members also told their stories. There was laughter at times mixed with tears. I waited my turn and then stood up and told my story about Midge and Mo, here is my recollection of it;
Master's degree Graduation Get Together in my Apartment Near Brown University
(May 1984)
"Marvin and Midge have been my friends since I set foot on this continent called America 41 years ago! I recall that day vividly as I landed in Washington on a cold, rainy December day all alone and heading to my English school in New Jersey... I was totally lost!! My English was poor and I had to find a hotel somewhere in Washington. I approached Marvin, who was on the plane with me from London, and asked in my poor English where to go! After struggling to understand him, Marvin insisted that I go to his home in Springfield Virginia for the night. His wife, Midge, came to pick us up from the airport. He had already told her on the phone that I was coming along. Once at home, I was shown my room for the night and Midge asked me what I wanted to eat? well that took a while to figure out as I struggled again with English ... pizza was the easy solution for that night as it is international. After finishing my paperwork in DC, I left for New Jersey and Mo and Midge were very concerned for me.. in searching for ways to help me, they gave me a map of New Jersey which turned out to be very useful when I got to Newark airport as I was able to show to the cab driver where I wanted to go. Months passed, my English got better, and I went into a telephone booth to call Mo and Midge... they were so happy to hear me speak English clearly and understand them!
Master's degree Graduation on the Brown University Campus
(May 1984)
Marvin and Midge came to all my Brown graduations, they were at my wedding and at the birth of my daughter Louiza.. they visited me often while at NASA in Virginia and came to Huntsville Alabama several times.. I was always welcome to their home in Springfield Virginia and then in the Hudson Highlands. I visited Mo and Midge few times in their senior living home in Minnesota. Unfortunately, Covid-19 stopped me from making more visits the last year of Marvin's life.
Marvin and Midge were extraordinary Americans who loved their country and were a good ambassador for it! Mo and Midge traveled around the world seven times and set foot on all continents including the frozen one! They wanted to learn about cultures and people!
Mo and Midge had huge hearts always willing to help... Mo always challenged my thinking...
I miss them a lot and miss Marvin's frequent phone calls...”
After the luncheon, Mary Lou asked if anyone wanted to hike the Torne Mo’s favorite hiking trail near his house on Dry Creek Rd. Off course, I loved the idea since it reminded me of the times Mo and I and others did the hike together. Mary Lou and Craig, her husband, and other family members from Minnesota and Utah joined us as well. After a brief stop by the lodge to change our clothes, we headed to the trail. The rain made the trail slippery, so we needed to be careful. We all made it to the top and back safely and everyone was happy, Mo would be proud!! After the hike, we went back to our rooms to shower and get ready for dinner at a Mexican restaurant where Mary Lou had made a reservation. After a wonderful dinner together, most people went back to Mary Lou’s rental home for fun and games, I decided to go back to my room and rest.
The next day, Craig gave me a ride to my friend Said’s place in Bloomfield New Jersey! …… The End.
The Torne: Marvin's Favorite Spot on his Hiking Trail.
(One can see the whole Hudson Valley from here.)
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