I can’t even begin to put anything down right now accept the verse I just read when I opened my daily scriptures.
- “The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to his people.” Psalm 68:35
Strength and power is exactly what is needed right now.
This morning we received a phone call that my precious mother-in-law had passed away. She had been battling a disease for the past five months. (One day maybe I’ll be able to share more, but not tonight.)
Rebecca Jane (Dunbar) Shuff lived, and I mean truly lived, a wonderful life for 62 years. She will be remembered as a godly mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and loving wife. Jany loved God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength just as she always taught others to do.
I remember the first time I met Jany. She was my 11th grade Sunday school teacher. The stories she told and the wisdom she gave had us girls laughing and wanting to know more about Christ too.
Oh the stories Jany could tell. Tim and I would have to get on to her because she would enjoy telling our children stories about us that we weren’t quite ready for them to hear yet. But the kids and she always got a good laugh out of it all. I pray that the kids will always hold on to the wonderful stories of love and life that she would share.
Jany later informed me that when I walked into her Sunday school classroom, she just knew that something was special about me. Little did I know at that time that I was going to be her daughter six years later.
A daughter is what I was to Jany. She and Wayne only had two boys, so when I came into their lives, she treated me as her own. She nurtured me through deaths of loved ones and the divorce of my parents. She has been there to cradle me and even get onto me, like one of her own, when I needed it.
There have been times throughout the years when I would just be silent and very expressive with my face, and she knew how to read me like a book. There were even times when she would drive me insane. But those are the moments that I could envision myself in her.
We did have a lot of commonalities, and I pray that I will be half the grandmother and mother-in-law as she was.
God, you’ve gained a precious lady who is decorating her mansion with pink roses and making sure that it is all decorated to a tee.
Jany had a gift with looking beyond and seeing the beauty. She knew how to make things beautiful and make you feel beautiful.
Jany, I love you!!!!!! And will miss you dearly!
Thank You, God, for being our strength and power.
Blessings to all.
Jany and her husband and grandbabies this past Christmas.
June 3
What a glorious morning Ms Jany had this morning! I love you Stephanie and your family. You all are in our prayers. it just makes things all too real. Thank you so much for your daily thoughts and expressions. You are truly a treasured blessing yourself!
My prayers and thoughts go out to the entire Shuff family. Jany was so loved in Plant City. What was there not to love? She was sweet, kind, beautiful inside and out, and loved her family and God. She will be so missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her if even for only one moment. Wayne, Tim, Todd, and family … my heart goes out to all of you. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
I will always remember jany as I first met her on the tennis court with her beautiful smile and sweet spirit! I know god has received a special angel
Jany was the first one to realize that after eight years, that I was pregnant. My baby J.P. is now thirty-five years old. She was a good friend and tennis partner. We shared a lot of tennis, lunches and laughs. I will truly miss her smiling face. I pray for Wayne and the famlily.
Hope everything is good, and hope you can come back! We miss you, you’re such an amazing teacher:)
Stephanie, I never had the opportunity to get to know your mother-in-law but I feel like I know her from reading your blog. It is such a wonderful tribute. Please know that you and your entire family are in my prayers during this very difficult time.