Abide With Me! (Memorial Performance)

My dear sweet wife, Kay, passed away at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston on Tuesday, May 15th at 4:00 am as a result of a brain herniation caused by her third stroke in about an eight year period. Fortunately she died peacefully with her loved ones nearby, including myself and our two children, Erik and Elizabeth (Liz).

At the memorial service in her honor, Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 am, I played "Elevazione" by Domenico Zipoli (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/30338). There was also a husband and wife team that played a piano and violin piece "Nearer, My God, to Thee" as part of the service.

I chose Hymn No. 115 from the English LDS Hymnal, "Come, Ye Disconsolate" (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/30506) as the opening hymn for the service because both Erik and Liz were at times inconsolable and this hymn brings understanding and peace.

Liz found in one of Kay's scrapbooks a reference to Hymn No. 166, "Abide with Me!" so this was used as the closing hymn.

Music: William H. Monk, 1823-1889
Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847

Introduction + 3 verses:

Verse 1:
Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

Verse 2:
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day.
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me!

Verse 3:
I need thy presence ev'ry passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!