We give thanks for the life of Alice Torvend, mother of Samuel Torvend. Sam was a plenary speaker & workshop presenter at the Portland conference. His mother died on Tuesday of the conference. Sam sent this note to the conference committee:
Dear friends,
I write to thank you for your many kindnesses to me during ALCM Portland. It was a challenging week given the death of our mother in Tacoma. At the same time, your words and prayers, and the sure and certain feeling of being “home” with kindred souls was a balm and a grace, one that I will cherish in the months and years to come.
I am glad to report that we have suggested ALCM as a recipient of gifts in memory of our mother. It is most appropriate, I think, as Alice was a church choir member, a church choir director, and a pianist. Indeed her father, Niel Kjesbu, was a hymn writer and musician and her two brothers were talented soloists in PLU’s Choir of the West and in their parish choirs.
The Holy Communion with Rite of Commendation will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows in Tacoma on Saturday, July 13, with burial following the liturgy at Dunn Cemetery in Mossyrock, Washington, a cemetery that overlooks the pale green and flowing Cowlitz River and has a commanding view of Mount Rainier.
I will be remembering your kindness and generosity as we sing the hymn of the day, “O Blessed Spring.”
With gratitude,
Samuel
Please keep Sam and his sister Rebecca in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their mother and celebrate her life.
