The Rector Major and his sister, who were very deeply attached to the mother, had accompanied her in her suffering, for more than a year. This morning, the Rector Major, after receiving the news of his mother's death, wrote this letter, sharing his thoughts and sentiments:
"To my Salesian brothers sdb, to the Salesian Family,
To the many lay people and young people who are always close to us
My dear salesian brothers and sisters and to all friends, I write these lines because my mother, Elisabeth, has gone today to meet the Lord, and we who still survive, all my family and those who loved and cared for her, but above all my sister and I, cannot help but profoundly thank the Lord our God for having granted her and my father such a beautiful life as the one they lived.
Our mother, Isabel Artime García, was born on 15 March 1936 in Luanco (Asturias), Spain. She has left us at the age of 87. She started working at a very early age, after having attended the village school for a few years. She was born in the year the Spanish Civil War started and therefore suffered hunger throughout her childhood. Like many families of the time, her family was large. She had seven siblings. She always worked among nets and fish in a family of fishermen for five generations. She also worked in the village fish cannery. She got married at the age of 24, she learnt to take care of the family, to look after the house, to cook (both my parents were excellent cooks!), to work amidst the fish and to devote herself tirelessly to whatever life demanded of her.
Above all, she cared for us all with great affection and love. Affection, love, care for others, respect for people, no backbiting, always practising good and carefully avoiding evil, having God present in one's life, was instilled in the depths of our being by our beloved mother. This was the way of our family in which our Dad's full commitment was also evident.
Today my sister and I thank God for giving us wonderful parents and an exceptional mother, who had the gifts of simplicity, kindness and charity towards others.
Today we thank God because both our parents passed on a deep Christian faith to us in a simple way: the example of their lives was the best catechesis we could have had.
Today we thank God because both our parents always made sure that their children were educated, prepared for life and did what they wanted to do for their own good. Sticking to these firm principles, they responded, for example, when I told them I wanted to become a Salesian.
Today we give thanks simply because the Lord of Life has granted us continuous blessings by granting us these parents and this mother. Our mother lived the last five years accompanied by illness in great peace until the last moment of her earthly existence.
And today we profoundly thank the Lord for the gift He gave my sister and myself by calling our mother to meet Him in peace, with such serenity, without suffering and without pain. Undoubtedly Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to whom she was so devoted, took her by the hand to make her meet her beloved Son.
Mother, we offer for you our prayers and those of so many people who love us. Rest in peace in the Lord. In Him we will meet again".
The funeral will take place the day after tomorrow, 26 June, in the parish of "Santa Maria" in Luanco - Gozòn. Many Salesians from the Spanish Provinces and many members of the General Council are expected to attend. After the final farewell ceremony, the body will be laid to rest in the municipal cemetery of Saint Anne - Luanco.
There are numerous messages of condolences and prayers reaching the Rector Major from all corners of the world during this time of mourning. The entire Salesian Family offers its prayers for the eternal repose of Mamma Isabel, with the consoling hope that she will remain serenely beside her dear husband Ángel Fernández Fernández in heaven.
The Rector Major expreses his gratitude to all those who are close to him with prayer and affection.
