Andrew McGonigle's letter

Dear Bill and Betty,

I just learned from Janie of your current journey, it is strange that the beginning of a similar journey occurred for me when I received a phone call in your office from my sister in England, informing me that my father was following a not too dissimilar path. I spent the last two weeks with him on this journey, and feel privileged to have done so. This was helped by the incredible support that the home hospice nurses provided. I know that your journey will have similar mechanics tending to all of your needs, for this you are surely blessed.

You will not be aware but for the last 5 years I have tended to two elderly spinster sisters that lived across from me, where I took on the responsibility for their well being under similar circumstances. This has demonstrated that the caring and supportive traits employed by the hospice network are found on both sides of the Atlantic. Using the words of George Bernard Shaw `England and America are two countries separated by the same language’; this phrase is so true when it comes to this talented group of individuals. The support that is offered, to all members of the family, has been second to none.

Bill, I have never told you this but I hold you in the highest regard, both as a boss and a friend and unknowingly to you, as a mentor. The phrase “a Gentlemen and Scholar” could have no greater meaning or exponent then when it is applied to you. The privilege that I had when working closely with you is immeasurable. Your Friday afternoon 4.00pm meetings were never considered a burden, although some found it difficult that you would want to meet at that hour. For you, this was the middle of the day and half way through your work week!

Our current Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was quoted often with the phrase “it takes a village.” Well, the University is not dissimilar, however it is a far larger entity and closer to the phrase “a community of learners”. This community learned a great deal from you and is a better place because of it. As for the community that surrounds the University, Town and Gown relationships have always been a challenge, even Oxford and Cambridge suffer from these difficulties. Your brokerage in resolving some of these conflicts have left a great legacy and one that is difficult in emulating. You may have left this community, but you are not forgotten or ever will be!

Betty, I know that you face many difficult challenges as you walk this path with Bill, you have often faced similar journeys in the past, going to Washington, coming to Northwestern and all of them bringing new friends and opportunities. This journey is no different. You should address it is the same manner that you have done in the past. I would like to offer the following poem; I read this to my mother at my fathers passing, it was written by Canon Henry Scott-Holland, Canon of St Pauls, London in 1910. To me the depth of this poem is unending, rather like the love that I know exists between you and Bill. I offer it at this time so that both of you may share it, in an effort to make your path smoother.

It is with love in my heart, for both of you that sign off

Andrew, Kathy, Madeleine, and Emily McGonigle

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!