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Lester Gene Curphy
July 9, 1932 to April 10, 2006
Les was my first husband. We married on May 23, 1980. We separated in August 1983 and were divorced on January
9, 1984. In March of that year Les joined AA and discovered sobriety. On May 5, 1984 we became the proud parents
of Sara Pauline Curphy. Les was a loving and devoted father for Sara.
Les was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in 1995 and after intensive treatment moved to Cloquet to be near to Sara.
He and my husband Ismail became good friends, whiling away hours discussing world politics and religions.
On April 10, 2006 Les lost his second battle with cancer and passed away. He is greatly missed by everyone.
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| Sara and her dad 2002 |
Larry Tillman
October 5, 1954 to November 12, 1993
Larry was a dear friend who is greatly missed. Larry was a performer! He enjoyed the spotlight
and loved making other people feel confident about their abilities. Larry had been in a few local area cover bands -
White Lightening, etc. - and had a true passion for music.
Larry owned an entertainment business "Crystal Productions" named for his daughter Crystal. He
had a recording studio and provided DJ and Karaoke entertainment. We spent many evenings travelling the area performing
our craft! Our daughters, only 6 months apart in age, were inseparable.
In 1993 all too suddenly there was a tragic auto accident in Montana; while travelling to Washington
to his sister Ila's home with her 19 year old daugther, Shelly, and her newborn infant Krystal. Both Larry and
Shelly were lost; baby Krystal is being raised by her grandparents in Washington. Crystal lived with her mom in Duluth,
but has continued to be a part of our family.
Larry has two older sons who lived in South Dakota that he had not been able to see since a bitter divorce.
Both Tyson, then 17, and Arian, then 15, came to Cloquet to meet their father's family after his death. In
fact, Tyson stayed, married and started a family, living right next door and I was able to enjoy the twins everyday! Arian
is now also married and has two children. Both now live in South Dakota and I am careful to remember their children
on birthdays and holidays in honor of their grandfather.
His mother asked that I sing for his funeral service; I knew it would be a struggle, but it was also
an honor. His brother Lee told me that the two songs I did that were Larry's favorites: "Tainted
Love" and "Wind Beneath My Wings" - we shared a laugh about what would be most appropriate for the occasion.
Of course, I shared a teary "Wind Beneath My Wings" with the crowd of mourners.
Larry's mom lives a few blocks from us in Cloquet. To this day, she is "grandma" to our foster children.
Sara and Crystal continue to be "sisters". When the siblings: Ila, Lee, and Lester come to Minnesota I am still
included as family. Larry is greatly missed by us all everyday ....
Thanks for all the wonderful times, hun.
"Let's hear it for my wife!"
LARRY
Long ago there was a time
when all the world was Love
Amidst the evergreen and pine
bright rays from far Above
Reaching to the mossy floor
to warm the single Rose
Resting in the warmth once more
so silently she Rose
Yearning for a gentle heart
to dry her tears of dew
singing in endless prayer
for the Love of You
MEg
12/06/93
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Your Crystal
I held your angel last night
as she slept so near my side
and in her face I saw the Love
that filled your heart inside
In her dreams I know she was
reliving life with you
walking through each laugh you shared
and everything you'd do
Wishing just to hold you close
forever, to always be
I held your angel last night
and she brought you close to me
MEg
1/9/1994
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New Snow
New snow has fallen from the sky
to hide the grass once green
and frozen with the tears I cry
over the yesterdays we've seen;
Beneath the frozen blanket lies
the smiles and laughs we shared
and deep within my painful cries
is the measure of how I cared;
Above the snow where there is life
are those you left behind
a family, dear friends, & me, your "wife"
still Loving you in heart and mind;
New snow has covered all the pain
gently falling from above
bringing you to us once again
each flake a piece of your Love.
MEg
11/15/1993
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There were dreams in your heart
of the life that would give
for those you Love and hold so dear
the dreams alone
that live.
There were wishes in your soul
of all that you would do
for those you Love and hold so dear
the
wishes can still be true.
There were plans in your mind
of all the days to come
for those you Love and hold so
dear
the plans will still be done.
There was Love in your life
of the world so yound and free
for those you
Love and hold so dear
the Love will always be.
MEg
12/15/1993
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When I watch as the sun begins to rise
into the haze of new morning skies
I wish that once your could be there
to run my fingers through your hair
to run my fingers through your hair
When I wait as the rain pours down
the storm engulfing all around
I wish for comfort from despair
to run my fingers through your hair
to run my fingers
through your hair
When I sit in the shade of the tree
and watch it dance with the wind
so free
I wish that we were such a pair
to run
my fingers through your hair
to run my fingers through your hair
When I lay in the darkness of night
searching the sky for twinkling light
I wish for courage if I dare
to run my fingers through your hair
to run my fingers through your hair
MEg
9/26/1993
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In the darkness
stumbling blind
is the darkness
of my mind
Beneath the shadows
so far below
lie the shadows
of
my soul
Beyond the black
from end to start
grows the black
of my own heart
This cold dark night
forever true
is the endless night
of missing you
MEg
12/6/1993
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The lonliness of life
grows around me everyday
shading all the beauty
in its cold and lifeless gray
consuming every warmth
within the words I say
The lonliness of life
engulfing all of me
becoming dark and cold
no colors left to see
destroying every dream
of
what I wished to be
The
lonliness of life
within me it has grown
residing
in each little thought
of everyday I've known
imprisoned
now, forever dark
to always be alone
MEg
12/19/1993
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| Sara and Crystal 1994 |
Looking back on the memory of the dance we shared ‘neath the stars above for
a moment all the world was right how was I to know that you’d ever say goodbye
- and now I’m glad I didn’t know the way it all would end, the way it all would go our life’s
are better left to chance I could’ve missed the pain, but I’d ‘ve had to miss ... the dance
Holding you I held everything for a moment weren’t you my king but if I’d only known how the king
would fall hey, who’s to say, you know, I might have changed it all
- and now I’m glad I didn’t know the way it all would end, the way it all would go our life’s
are better left to chance I could’ve missed the pain, but I’d ‘ve had to miss ... the dance
The Dance - by Garth Brooks
SHELLY
With the colors of the Autumn trees
you danced into my heart
as soft and swift as the early breeze
I Loved you from the start
A smile so warm to show us all
the Love you held inside
finding strength to stand so tall
above the pain you'd hide
Please know your Angel left behind
on your journey up above
will know a world so warm and kind
blest with her mother's Love
MEg
11/13/1993
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