May 22, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
It is hard to believe ”Brock” has been gone ten days, but he has; and I miss him very much. I’m sure you have also found yourself thinking of him now and then during these days. I miss him very, very much. My life has changed. It will not be the same. I am told that each stage of grieving takes it’s own time, and that I should not try to avoid any of them. I am told that during these first weeks and months there will be more difficult days, and that gradually, the “sunshine” will return.
I spent the first two days (all day and night until around 10:00 p.m. chatting with friends and associates....everyone who called and left a message. I decided to not put people on hold while I was chatting with another caller, but that at the end of each conversation, to return calls that had left messages. (Our call waiting does not give names of callers, only phone numbers, so leaving a message was very important.) In retrospect, this experience was like a 21st century version of the condolence house/home visiting that we are familiar with from our formative years. Numerous calls continued to come in, and I continued to make return calls. Those conversations were extremely uplifting. It is very clear that Brock was much beloved and a highly respected gentleman. He will be missed.
However, after these few days and with Ted Martin’s prodding and Carrie Martin’s support, I knew it was time for me to begin to focus on the necessary tasks and events that must be done at times like this. First on my list was to begin the arrangement for “Brock” final services. Staff at Scarborough and Hargett, (as always) were very helpful and efficient in obtaining death certificates, and arranging cremation. Their professionalism was indispensable in establishing liaison with Stewart Funeral Home in Washington, DC. Services for Brock will be held in Washington on Thursday, June 04, 2009. Washington is Brock’s home. Centered in and around Washington are his numerous kin, and many, many associates, and friends from childhood, college, and throughout adulthood. Our friends and associates in my hometown of Durham, NC and our recent home of Cary, NC/Research Triangle, NC have reached-out to me in support and condolence, and without exception have commented on “what a nice gentle man Brock was.” We are blessed with good friends. I am not planning to have a service in North Carolina.
Details and comments are listed below:
Bland T. Brockenborough Thursday, June 04, 2009
Visitation at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m.
Northeastern Presbyterian Church
2112 Varnum Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20018
Telephone: 202-526-1730
Regarding “Brock”
I plan to go to Washington on the 1st or second of June, and to be there for several days afterwards. I plan to return home by Sunday, June 7th.
If any family, friends or associates are considering sending floral expressions of condolence for Brock’s memorial service, these items are being accepted by Stewart Funeral Home in Washington, preferably on Wednesday afternoon. Stewart Funeral Home will be in charge of local arrangements for Brock’s Memorial Service and burial in Washington. Stewart Funeral directors will deliver any florals and other items to the church and to me, and will perform all of the other duties and tasks expected for this phase of this sad event. They will assure that I am given all cards.
Stewart Funeral Home
4001 Benning Road, N.E.
Washington, DC 20019
Telephone: 202-398-4246
As a memorial gesture, we are supporting the following for charitable donations:
American Heart Association
Planned Giving Department - For Research
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Concerned Black Men, Inc.
The Thurgood Marshall Center
1816 - 12th Street - Suite 203
Washington, DC 20009-4422
John Avery Boys & Girls Club
P.O. Box 446
Durham, NC 27701
I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your telephone calls, condolence cards, notes and letters, prayers, and other gestures of compassion, consolation and condolence. Thank you one and all so very much.
Most sincerely,
Ann Henderson Brockenborough
