It is with sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of Elaine Henderson, mother of Patrice Henderson, current member and past president of the Standing Committee of our diocese. Mrs. Henderson, known affectionately as "The Duchess" to those who loved her, passed away peacefully last Friday, October 25, 2013 after complications from Alzheimer's Disease.
Born in Jamaica, West Indies on October 27, 1922, Mrs. Henderson trained professionally as a teacher before moving to the United States in the 1940s. She went to work in the U.S. as an assistant in a doctor's office.
An active member of St. Andrew & Holy Communion in South Orange, in her youth she served as a Sunday school teacher and as a soprano in the church choir. She loved to play tennis and enjoyed time with her family and friends.
The eldest of seven children, she is survived by her daughter, Patrice; her son, Michael; her daughter-in-law Katie; her granddaughters, Savannah and Brooklyn; and a sister, Yvonne McKenzie. Mrs. Henderson was blessed in life by an extended family including 15 nieces and nephews. Among those who also called her family were the Rev. Sandye Wilson and the children and grandchildren of the doctor with whom she worked.
The service for Elaine Henderson will be held this Saturday, November 2 at St. Andrew & Holy Communion, 160 W South Orange Avenue, South Orange 07079. The service begins at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Millburn.
Update, Nov. 3, 2013: Patrice, Michael, Katie, Savannah and Brooklyn are grateful for the thoughts and prayers that uphold them, and wish to share this poem in memory of Elaine.
God Knows Best
By Helen Steiner Rice
Our Father knows what’s best for us,
So why should we complain—
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain—
We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear…
Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow…
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gives the marble grace and form.
God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain,
For every loss He sends us
Is followed by rich gain…
And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament…
For Our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul’s deep need is pain...
So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It’s just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.
