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Mark Major Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Mark Major
Laura Moreland
February 16, 2009
There isn't much time before this book is gone and I had almost forgotten (In fact, I had until today) I remembered the very moment that I had fallen in love with Mark. I was short on cash and I needed some money for something silly like lunch and Mark gave me 5 dollars. I later discovered that he had gone without lunch. He gave me his very last 5 dollars and I knew that was the sort of person I could always count on. I don't even know what made me think of that or why it popped into my mind but I wanted to write it because I don't think I ever told Kate.
Laura Moreland
January 22, 2009
It is January and almost a full year has past. If the entries have slowed, it isn't that Mark isn't thought about every day and always I have to correct myself to think in the past tense. It always feels as thought he is with me. Yesterday I found a quote "God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." -Barrie Who better to understand loss and memory than Barrie.
Beth James
December 2, 2008
I was cleaning and organizing our den here at our new house. I found my copy of "Our Town." I remember how you helped me work on Emily's "Goodbye world..." monologue and I thought the timing was apt. We just placed your ashes at Walnut Grove the day after Thanksgiving. Mom, Dad, Laura, Kate, Erik, Claudia, Zachary, Daisy, Dave and I were there to remember you. It was a sunny crisp day. The only people there other than us was the guy that was going to place your urn in the niche and a couple walking their dogs (sorry- I know how you felt about dogs- Otherwise, it was perfect.)
I never played Emily but always wanted to. You helped me work on the character for no reason other than you knew I wanted to. I wonder if you now, like Emily in "Our Town," are looking on watching all of us living our lives. It does seem to go too fast...I have some memories of you and me I wish I could re-live and slow down so I can remember, inhale and enjoy the details. I miss you.
Love, Your Little Sis, Beth
Laura Moreland
August 26, 2008
Sometimes when I least expect it I am struck by the knowledge that you are not here anymore. I always knew that you loved me. I always knew that you would do everything within your power to help me. I remember when I got stung by the jellyfish and you carried me out of the water and found help for me. I remember when I was in the car accident and I lost my voice and I couldn’t drive. Nobody knew that you stopped by every single day. You would bring me the newspaper so I could do the crossword puzzle and I would ask you if you wanted a cup of tea and you would say “No but I know you do” and we would drink a cup of tea together.
I miss you so much.
Laura Moreland
July 14, 2008
Today would have been your birthday and although I think of you every day, I am reminded of you each time I write the date down. I remember that you used to eat popcorn with milk on it and you used to joke that "if we wanted this divorce to work we would all need to pull together" and then you would laugh and laugh. I remember how much you loved movies. I guess that is it in a nutshell ....... I remember. I will always remember. I miss him so much.
Beth (Major) James
July 11, 2008
Sometimes when I was talking with Mark and he was in the moment he’d give me a sideways smile that was the perfect proud big brother smile. I wish I could remember exactly what conversations and moments prompted this smile but I don’t. Maybe a silly impression, an over dramatic response, a brief pause in the conversation? Mark didn’t know it but within his perfect proud big brother smile he shared his innate goodness and connected with me.
I miss Mark everyday and wish he was still with us. Hugs and kisses to you Mark (even though you hated getting both from your dorky little sister :)) Love, Beth
Laura Moreland
June 9, 2008
I heard a country song on the radio yesterday. It was a song that I had heard before called “If something should happen” It is from the perspective of a man talking to his best friend. He is going into the hospital and he expects to recover and come home, none the less, if something should happen he knows that his wife will be devastated and his child will be without a father. If something should happen, he admonishes him friend, please do the things I would have done. Please take care of my family. Please fill the void I left. Please tell my child all the stories that you have of me.
It made me cry. It took me a while to pull myself together but it also reminded me of how many people knew Mark and how many silly stories there were and how if we put them all together in one place …. Well we wouldn’t have Mark but we could have a remembrance of Mark, something that we could all hold onto.
Uncle George once wrote that language was man’s first great act of magic (forgive me if that was not the exact quote) Mark certainly believed that and if he lives anywhere it is in words so I am sending this to everyone and posting it on the Dispatch web site. I assure you that Kate and I still continue to visit the site and I am sure others do as well Please visit the site. Please read. Please remember. Please share. There is magic in your words.
Tim and Julie Harris
April 24, 2008
Julie and I were deeply saddened to hear about Marks passing. Our thoughts are with
your family.
Cathleen Cummings
April 23, 2008
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
Be at peace, Mark. And my deepest condolences to all the family.
Kate Major
April 4, 2008
You were the best. I loved being able to talk to you about how much the world sucked. I hated it when you over analyzed my favorite movie. And Mom is right, you always did look up a word three or four different times even if nobody else cared but you. I will miss the late nights making costumes. I will miss you trying to shove those nasty mashed potatoes down my throat. You staying up with me until midnight on Christmas morning because I refused to open my presents early. You letting me ride on your back in the pool so I could pretend you were a seahorse and I was Ariel. Your annoying way of making my essays become coved in your chicken scratch. The way that you couldn't just let me read you a problem I needed help with, no you had to steal the book. The way you would analyze every detail of a movie. The way you compared Escape from New York to the events of 9-11. The way that you always thought that my name came from Taming of the Shrew (which you and Mom never agreed on, by the way). And how you argued that that was not a sexist play, only misunderstood in how it showed their growing understanding for one another. And how excited you were when you found out that I was a libratarian as well and that at least some part of you had rubbed off on me. I will miss you sooooo much, and I will always love you.
Sorry for the poor writing Dad.
Love forever,
Kate
Noah P
April 4, 2008
Well man, I sure liked talkin' about movies with you. You seemed as though you liked them as much as I. We could talk about the smallest details for the longest time. You paid a lot of attention. Catch you on the flipside dude.
Laura Major
April 3, 2008
The problem with obituaries is how much they leave out because you can’t tell everything about a person in a paragraph or two.
I was pleased that whoever wrote your note put in about the white plume. I didn’t know that anyone knew that. For those who didn’t, it came from Cyrano De Bergerac and represented what Cyrano was most proud of. For Mark, this was undeniably Kate who he believed was the finest thing he had ever been a part of.
They left out how much you liked words. Where they came from and how they were used. How you owed multiple dictionaries and would look up the same word in each book. How is used to drive you crazy when you thought I was using a word inappropriately and then you would discover that I had latched on to some obscure definition (always the 4th or 5th example!!!)
I know you would have wanted people to know you were a veteran. A Quartermaster in the United States Navy. While you were not always happy about the direction the military takes, you loved the history, the romance of the sea and knowing that you were part of group not afraid to defend the country. I know you were proud of that.
I think you would have liked to have some Emily Dickinson used. She was one of your favorite poets. Only a few Christmas’ ago you gave me a copy of her collected works with a note indication that my favorites had been flagged. I didn’t have the heart to tell you that she was only YOUR favorite.
Most of all they left out the unconditional love and faith that you always gave to me. I always knew that if I ever needed anything and it was within your power at all, that you would always be there. It was a remarkable gift. It will always break my heart that I couldn’t give that to you.
Joyce Stonebraker
March 28, 2008
I was stunned to read Mark's obituary in Westerville's "This Week". Jon and I are so sorry for your loss.
Jack Sowers
March 24, 2008
I am proud to consider Mark a colleague. Sitting next from him while clattering on our keyboards at SNP, I could always count on him for his perspective and kind words amid the bustle of our hurried and harrowing business. What we all strive for as writers are courage and curiousity, kindness and tenacity, unflinching honesty and fairness. Mark had it all. Goodbye, my friend.
David & Charlotte James
March 21, 2008
Sincerest condolences at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.
Vicki Crawford
March 20, 2008
My family sends our condolences to your family in the sudden loss of your son Mark. Even though we did not know him, he is still a part of our family just as you are. Our prayers will be for you to be strong during this time and with God everything will work out. Sorry we won't be able to be there for you but I know you have family surrounding you with their love. Love always, Vicki Crawford, Jennifer Dyko, Angela Rose, Barbara and Kenneth Crawford
Linda and Sterling Roberts
March 20, 2008
Although we didn't know Mark personally, we were neighbors of the Major family for 20+ years and Beth and our son Sterling went to high school together. We're so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Major family in this time of grief.
Tara Figurski
March 20, 2008
We'll miss you Mark. Thank you for your friendship, your wisdom and your vision. May you find peace.
Don Snyder
March 20, 2008
Sad, sad news. I recall Mark being one of the first friends I made when I moved to Worthington. Although we didn't keep in touch after WHS, he made a new guy feel welcome in a new town of strangers. I wish I'd had the chance to meet up with him again in recent years.
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