Pies aren't known to make people cry, but on Monday they did.
Justin Faber of Deckerville purchased about 75 pies from a local bakery to spread the love and message his late great-aunt embraced - to stop and enjoy the people around you and make sure they know they are loved.
And while Ruth Ann Stanley had always used her words, she also shared her love through warm cups of coffee and food.
So Faber made sure about 40 pies were waiting for loved ones following her funeral Monday because the pandemic has halted traditional post-funeral meals.
“We ask that you take this homemade pie home and share it with those that you love," read a note with each pie. "Spend time, talk about your day and share your thoughts but most of all, tell those around you that you love them, after all, you would never leave Ruth Ann’s house without a hug and those simple words."
Faber said a lot of tears and smiles greeted the offering.
Tuesday, Faber had another nearly 40 pies delivered to nurses and staff at Autumnwood of Deckerville where Ruth Ann had been living.
Contracting COVID
Faber said his great-aunt died about 3 a.m. Dec. 13. He had spent the week with her inside the nursing home despite the fact she had contracted COVID-19, which contributed to but was not the main cause of her death.
"For me, it was just how much I loved her, I didn’t want her to die alone…her life was so much about involving others and being close to people I couldn’t fathom her being alone during that process," he said.
Faber said he had spent the prior months visiting outside her window.
The funeral had originally been slated for a few days following her death, but then Faber tested positive for the coronavirus. While his symptoms were mild, he said he'd do it all over again to share those last moments with her.
Ruth Ann Stanley talks about pies
Ruth Ann Stanley and her husband John talk about trying Homemade Pies by Kala.
Courtesy of Justin Farber
Picking the right pies
While the idea of using pies to share Ruth Ann's legacy came about an hour after her death, Faber said picking who would make the pies was easy.
He called up Kala Sheridan, co-owner of Homemade Pies by Kala in Croswell. His great-aunt had Sheridan's pies before and loved them.
While initially she said she couldn't take on any more orders before the holidays, she got to work for Faber after hearing his plan.
Sheridan said she had two extra volunteers to help get Faber 75 pies on top of the 500 she already was committed to making for Christmas orders. Having lost her own grandfather this year, she said she appreciated Faber's message through the pies.
"It's not about the presents and stuff, it's about spending the time with the family and loved ones," she said.
'Never a promise of tomorrow'
While his great-aunt was 92 and had health issues, Faber said it doesn't make the loss any easier.
He remembers about two decades ago when she called him following his grandmother's death to remind him she was his only living aunt left.
"She always made you know there’s never a promise of tomorrow," Faber said.
And that's why she embraced every day and person.
Faber said he became closer to his great-aunt and her husband of 70 years, John, over the last few years. John now lives with Faber.
While things changed when his great-aunt's health declined in March and the pandemic hit, Faber said he'll always remember her routine every time he left her house.
She would give him a hug, a kiss and tell him she loved him.
Then when he got home, he was required to call and let the phone ring three times before hanging up. She didn't want him to have any long distance charges, Faber said laughing.
He didn't grow up with proclamations of love happening so often and said at first it was a bit abnormal.
"She was obviously much smarter than the rest of us and knew those were the most important things in life," he said.
Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com.
https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/12/30/funeral-pies-love-message-great-aunt-deckerville/4076486001/
2020-12-30 16:09:09Z
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