HEADLEY, NANCY    -    March 16, 2020

HOLLOM, CHARLES    -    April 28, 2020

SANFORD, RODNEY    -    May 14, 2020

SENESCALL, MICHAEL J.    -    October 25, 2020

November is the month we remember the dead. Last year I wrote about the “Night of the Dead”, a solemn night around the world of families keeping vigil at the graves of their loved ones. “All Hallows Eve” turns to All Saints Day at midnight.

Throughout the month of November, I often look for the Necrology at area churches. Many times the names are beautifully scripted remembering those of the congregation who have died from the previous All Saint’s Day.

Many churches include a “Book of Remembrance” where people are invited to write in the names of those they have lost. Nearly every year that I have been in this field, I have written in the name of my grade school and high school friend, Jeff Battaglia who lived across the street on Salem Ave. Until it closed, I would always write Jeff’s name at Most Holy Trinity, the neighborhood church and school where the Battaglia and Delmore families belonged. Jeff died tragically in a car mishap when we were 19.

I spend many days in churches throughout the Twin Cities and everywhere I find a November Scroll I peruse the names. Many I recognize professionally, but I am also amazed how many names will strike a note of familiarity with me, be they old neighbors, school connections or people I have met along the way.

I have mentioned before that one of the saddest occasions funeral directors face is being summoned to take care of a person with no known connections or known family. They likely do not get a fancy scrolled calligraphy recognition in the narthex of a beautiful church.

The four people listed above are the people who were placed in our care this year where we never traced any family. I felt they deserved a place on a Scroll of Honor.

Here is the little bit of information we gleaned in research on each.

Nancy Jean Headley was born on April 13, 1948 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Her parents were Harold Butler Headley and Geraldine G. Rasmussen Headley. We knew from the nursing home that she was divorced and that she did attend college for a bit. Her parents were buried in Hutchinson, MN. There were no graves with mom and dad that allowed her to be buried with them. A notice was placed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune announcing graveside services. We always hope someone will attend, there was no one present.

Charles Hollom was a colorful figure. Our research found that he had spent time living in California as both a cab driver in San Francisco and as a stunt car driver for the television industry. He was featured in the cop thriller “Starsky and Hutch”. If you google his name and include People Magazine, a feature piece will pop up talking about his television exploits and how those skills were used on the “Streets of San Francisco”. We know he was born in Minneapolis on January 1, 1941 and that he was a Veteran. One person who befriended him on walks near his nursing home was in attendance at his services.

Rodney Sanford was born on November 25, 1955. We never found what city he was from nor his parents’ names. We have no idea if he was married and to the best of our knowledge he had no children. He died on May 14, 2020 at the North Ridge Care Center in New Hope, MN. His burial took place on May 20, 2020 with only funeral home personnel in attendance.

Michael J. Senescall died October 25, 2020 at the Benedictine Health Care Center in Minneapolis. He was 74 years old, born May 10, 1946 and grew up in north Minneapolis in the Farview Park neighborhood. Although we did not find family, he did have the love and companionship of close friend Shirley, who was with him to the end and attended his burial services held on October 29, 2020.

Throughout the year there were a few more people like our members of the Gearty-Delmore Necrology. We found family for the others, or like Shirley for Michael, they had companionship and friends or case workers that made certain they were laid to rest with as much dignity as possible.

As the month of November continues to head for Thanksgiving and the eventual Holidays, think of Nancy, Charles, Rodney and Michael. Think of the thousands like them around the world who have died in 2020 with very few people to mourn their passing.

Say a prayer for them and for the repose of their souls. They like us, are Children of God.