Their Late, Beloved, Eldest Son Michael Gave Both Eulogies for His Beloved Parents
Michael's notes for his parents Eulogies (Musa's then Josie's):
Good Morning everyone,
We are gathered here today to remember & celebrate the incredible life of my father Musa Isa Marto, and what he meant to us.
I am Michael Isa Marto the eldest son of Musa.
My mother Josephine, my siblings and I would like to thank you all for coming here today to celebrate and remember Musa’s life. We’d like to give a special thanks to those who traveled in from out of town…it means the world to the Marto Family. Thanks Monsignor For a beautiful service today!
My father was born on October 28, 1928 in a very special place, the little town of Bethlehem, Jerusalem to his parents Issa and Wardeh Marto. My dad was the oldest of 10 children; Violette, Henriette, Linda, Michel, Adib, Sami, Samia. He was preceded in death by his sister, Juliette and brother, Elias. Two of his sisters Linda and Henriette are here today!
My dad came to the United States as a young man. He married my beautiful mother in February 1957 making them married for 62 years. They had 3 sons myself, Charles and Steven. We are all here today with our lovely wives and my parent’s four grandchildren, Hannah, Francesca, Issa and Georgia.
With my Dad being the eldest of 10 siblings, you’ll forgive me if I don’t mention each family member by name and spouses as we have a very large family and we would be here until tomorrow… and I’m sure Monsignor would appreciate that I don’t do that as well. (little laugh).
Musa was a brilliant intellect and graduated college at the age of 19 and gained his advanced degrees as well in the Sciences…he so appreciated the value of education and how it positively affects one’s future. For him it was a passport to a fantastic life around the world after losing his home land and home in 1948 and becoming a refugee from Palestine. With his graduate degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering my dad came to the states to teach graduate level chemistry courses at two major universities in the US including Auburn and Indiana PTI while pursuing additional study at MIT.
The United States Atomic Energy Commission sought him out to serve as a Chemical Specialist for the US Securities’ and Defense Systems, where he spent about 6 years on the earliest development of energy derived from lithium used throughout the world over from defense weapons to modern day sustainable energy battery technology.
He spent the remainder of his career at IBM where he led the inception of the Industrial Automation Division. He had responsibility and managed in 88 countries IBM’s International Division which was why we were fortunate to live all over the world from and experiencing different cultures and amazing adventures. 11 Moves in total…IBM truly stands for “ I’ve Been Moved”
Special Memories and Qualities and Passions
Intelligence and teaching lesson of life...Integrity in everything...no compromises on effort and honesty
My father was a man of deep convictions around integrity, honor, class, generosity and always supporting his family 100% of the time in the finest way!! Throughout my life I always saw him do the right thing with full effort and passion in all situations….never accepting mediocrity or the easy way out on anything.
He always taught us that living with those standards would certainly result in the best outcomes in all facets of life. He was insistent on doing things thoroughly without shortcuts...It was always so amazing and such a blessing to grow up with parents who taught and guided us by example each day...those beautiful character traits shaped our lives to the best we could be!
Many of you who know Musa….Exceptional intelligence and deep knowledge were among his key Hallmarks! He had a never ending thirst for extensive learning. He enjoyed many intellectual endeavors and all kinds of study, extreme engineering subjects or the art of fine cuisine all over the world, international cultures, geography, History and geo politics. He spoke several languages including ancient Aramaic… which Jesus and the Apostles are believed to have spoken including Aramaic-language translations (Targums) of the Old Testament
He spent much of his time educating us as children on how the world worked and how to thrive in it!..
I was always astounded at how he would help us learn a tough subject through brilliant stories and real examples…all while synthesizing complex topics into understandable concepts and pearls of knowledge we could learn and apply!!
He loved sharing deep insights to some of the world’s greatest wonders or complex problems…. never with hubris, just pure passion for understanding and sharing the knowledge and wisdom.
He was an avid reader and would finish many books every month...Carl Sagan astrophysics was considered light weekend reading for him. I guess I did not get that brilliant Gene!
Discussions with my Dad with several of my closest longtime friends, who are here today, was always a treat and inspiration!!!!...When we were teenagers and young adults, we would sit with him on Friday nights...while he smoked his Cuban cigars by the pool to discuss and learn incredible lessons on life, business and how to succeed in the world…always emphasizing to work honestly to fully earn everything we will receive in life. Those special times were Far more interesting to us than anything happening at a high school or a college party!!!
These cherished conversations with my father happened until finally a couple years ago his dementia became to advanced and our deep and memorable conversations sadly ended.
….I so miss those times …and all of the inspiration and strength and confidence it gave me. I thank God every day for a lifetime of beautiful experiences and inspiration from my Dad!
Enchanted life and Upbringing...We lived a blessed and beautiful life.
My Dad always lived with class, dignity and generosity and style...always emphasizing respect for others, and never settling for mediocrity…always honest and fair play with full effort …these were his philosophies!
Our Lives growing up were an enchanted almost fairytale…living around the world
- Great adventures. From Beirut to Greece to Paris to the US…We experience the best life had to offer with the most loving parents!!
-Everyone who knew him always felt a real connection to him and admired his character, values, authenticity and spirit of life.
-He would never hesitate to assist his brothers and sisters and family friends with any challenge or burden!
His work colleagues respected and admired him even when his high standards challenged them in tough ways. He made decisions in his life not by what was most popular or even self-serving… he always stuck to his principles and values! …only solid authenticity and calm resolved confidence!!!
I always used to hear amazing stories from his colleagues and bosses which we don’t have time for here… but know he never took the easy way out or yielded to GROUP THINK!
Close with Words of Comfort
I could go on endlessly about my Dad…I would like to close with just a few more words if I can get them out!!
HE was always our family’s true north and light house in a storm...he lived his values with full passion and was always authentic and loved his family to the utmost.
I always knew where to look for answers...Dad although I can’t be with you anymore on earth...time with you is what I will miss and treasure the most...I can always close my eyes and here your words and reassurance… and know what to do because you inspired and taught me how to navigate any ocean or sea of life in calm or turbulent waters.
Despite the farewell, I Know this ….I will always remember that the best thing that ever happened in my life was the privilege and honor of being Musa and Josephine Marto’s son.
Rest in peace Dad… we love you!!
Josephine Marto Eulogy
INTRO
We are gathered here today to remember & celebrate the life of my mother…Josephine Helen Marto, and what she meant to us.
My mother loved this church…it brought her immense spiritual strength and peace…. we have been coming to St Jude’s since 1975. Thankyou monsignor Corbett and St Jude’s for doing the beautiful mass and memorial service to honor our family today.
I am Michael her eldest son.
I would like to thank you all for coming here today to mourn the loss of Josephine with our family. And we’d like to give a special thanks to those who traveled in from out of town especially under these challenging times.
My mother lived until almost to 91 years old. Josephine was born to immigrant Lebanese parents, and grew up in South Carolina in little towns of Winnsboro and “Chester”. Mom was the youngest of five children, George, Louise, Elizabeth and Margret all of which preceded her in death.
As many of you know my mother adored the arts, music, and living life to the fullest. She studied music at Winthrop college in undergrad and received her masters of music from university of Miami. She began her career teaching music back in South Carolina. And then she!! and my dad met when her brother brought my dad home for a thanksgiving dinner In Chester South Carolina!
Musa married my beautiful mother in February 1957… making them married for 62 years. They had 3 sons myself, Charles and Steven. We are all here today with our lovely wives, and my parents 4 grandchildren, Hannah, Francesca, Issa and Georgia.
HER LIFE
My parents lived a charmed and blessed life… we moved all over the world from middle east, in Beirut to Europe, Paris, to the States where she and my dad raised us with the finest experiences and love anyone child could imagine…. My mother always encouraged us to live to the fullest, dream big, and be loving to our family and friends every day. She had an endless passion for life and bringing joy to others!!! My mother and father Got to “Do it all together” …and experienced the best life had to offer together”
She led by example...always lighting up a room…so many friends.…her hospitality to family and friends was legendary, including music along with her amazing culinary creations. Simply Mom loved the art of entertaining!
As they say…Behind every successful man and family is a great woman…It was her love and selfless devotion to my father and her children that created the beauty in our lives.
My mother never met a Stanger. She always had that southern charm and greeted everyone so sweetly!!
Her love for Cuisine was endless…It was always a surprise each night at the dinner table. We felt like we grew up in a 5-star Michelin restaurant. She was fortunate to study and take classes in Paris at the Cordon bleu and learn from none other than Julia Childs and many other great chefs...Boy did she love it and we benefited!
For my brothers (Charles and Steven)… and ALL of our friends and several who are here with us today, always wanted to be at Mom’s table!!! …we never knew as kids how truly lucky we were.She would always smile when you would ask for more… and she infused a sense of family around the table in all of our friends as well! A true Lebanese Mother at heart always wanting us to enjoy more of the incredible meal and her famous DESERTS!!!!!
…Now once, we were done feasting…. we all had to participate in singing around the piano…even the ones who could not carry a note! There are endless stories to tell about her amazing social graces, parties, teachings and the kind beautiful soul she was to everyone. She embraced every opportunity to share her gifts with us all!
One of her greatest Passions & Joys Was MUSIC
Her love of music endured her whole life in teaching piano to so many students, and sharing her musical gift with family, friends and her children and grandchildren and it never ceased almost until the day she died.
Throughout the years and she always hosted magnificent recitals and shows at our home which she loved to endlessly plan! Her piano students adored her passionate meticulous approach to teaching … which positively influenced many aspects of their young lives.
As recently as a few weeks ago, she entertained us on her grand Steinway piano at her at the assisted living facility, including her lovely care takers and friends.
Her loving spirit, and Joi de vivre had an indelible effect on our family and everyone around us!
The gift of music from my mother will rest in my soul for eternity and has allowed us to experience a special passion and joy in life from a musical perspective and the universal bond it brings to all of us.
Let me please share a couple quick stories that I know she would love for me to tell you!
COUPLE OF MUSICAL STORIES
SOUTH PACIFIC Steinway story
David and Celine Story
Her musical soul had no end!
LASTLY On Music
My father proposed to my mother with a beautiful song called “Autumn Leaves” “ arranged by Roger Williams” Mom played the song all the time and continued after the death of my father as it constantly reminded her Musa.
So today we thought it would be beautiful to hear the wonderful St Jude’s pianist play “Autumn Leaves” it after my Eulogy ends.
Mom’s Spirit for Life and Love! She had Endless strength and positivity to the END!
My lovely wife Michelle would always comment how no matter what “Medical or Physical Challenges” happened to my mom should would always have the mind set and spirit to overcome then… nothing could stop her…endless positive attitude.
Also, I must express my deepest thanks to My wife Michelle and My sister-in-law wife Gillian for endlessly/lovingly assisting with my parents their care in the later years of their lives…such a blessing to us and my parents.
Even while her dementia and physical struggles increased as she got into her mid and late eighties, she never lost her positive spirit for life or memories about her sons, grandkids, my father… or the ability to read and play complex music! In the end….
Mom would always want us to smile about her memory and embrace life’s beauty and love we shared.
In fact there is poem by Edgar Guest, I believe she would want us to hear today. She was very spiritual and knew where she wanted to be after her death… with my dad and the eternal father… The poem’ name is “Miss Me But Let Me Go” and it went like this
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little-but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-but let me go
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.
Lastly... I also know in my heart of hearts; Josephine truly believed and lived by the following beautiful expression…
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
Mom We love you …may you rest in peace in house of the lord!