Combined: Eulogy, Tribute, and Poem

Quindy Thepsena Moritz
A Eulogy By Harry Moritz
Delivered At Funeral Services On August 28 and 29, 1997

     I have decided that I will speak on behalf of our family, including our son, Anothai, on this important and solemn occasion honoring Quindy Thepsena Moritz.
     Since I first came to know Quindy back on August 1, 1963, much time has passed. Even 26 years ago when our son, Anothai was born, little did I imagine that I would ever be speaking at an ordeal like we are at here this evening.
     In the 34 years I have known Quindy, she has been many things to many people. Quindy has been a Friend, a Mentor, a Teacher, a Business Person, a Craft Artisan, a Mother, and a Wife. However, in all instances she was first and foremost, a loyal Thai citizen and a devout Buddhist. In testament of these facts, Quindy carried a Thai passport until she passed away and was instrumental on obtaining important religious icons for Wat Lao in Virginia and the Khmer Wat in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
     Many of you here tonight have been recipients of her countless kindnesses. While you are too many to name individually, you all know who you are.
     Some may look ahead, and note that there were still many missed opportunities. However, my son and I prefer to look back, on our past 26 and 34 years respectively, and offer gratitude and thanks, for the many wonderful experiences we have been privileged and blessed to share with Quindy.
     On behalf of our extended family, both Thai and American, Anothai and I sincerely thank you, all for coming here tonight and joining us in celebrating Quindy's move up to the next level.
     Quindy's passing has torn a large piece from our lives, hearts, and souls. We must remember that in all our memories of her, she lives on. However, we miss her dreadfully. The only way we can only go on, is in the hope that with the passing of time, we will somehow come to be able to bear our excruciating pain more easily.
     Your kind thoughts and prayers are sincerely appreciated.

     Quindy Thepsena Moritz passed away at 11:44 am, Central Daylight Time, on August 26, 1997, after a 5-week confinement at a hospital in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States of America.
     Quindy Thepsena was born on April 24, 1941 in Ban Muang, Ampur Nong Haan, Udorn Province, Thailand. Quindy Thepsena was a direct descendant of the Nong Haan Pituc Royal Family from Ban Muang, Ampur Nong Haan. Quindy Thepsena was the youngest daughter of Tien Thepsena and Sudta Nong Haan Pituc Thepsena.
     In Thailand, Quindy is survived by two elder sisters, Sumnieng Thepsena and Prapaipit Thepsena, and their extended families including numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. In the United States, Quindy is survived by both her husband of more than 34 years, Harold (Harry) William Moritz, and their 26-year-old son, Anothai (Tony) Thepsena Moritz, as well as four sisters-in-law and their extended families, including numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
     Since moving to the United States in 1975, Quindy first and foremost, concentrated on family life and raising our son. Second in importance in her life was her religious experience. Thirdly, Quindy was an extraordinary craft artisan. Fourth, and far from last, Quindy was a proud Thai citizen who carried a passport issued by The Kingdom of Thailand until she passed away.
     Quindy took considerable pride in the fact that she was not merely raising a family in America - She was raising her Thai family in the United States. Thai family values, not American family values were and remain the rule in our household. Respect for elders, teachers, and other figures of authority and importance were stressed - to our benefit. Among our fondest memories were Quindy's colloquial Thai expressions, befitting a given situation - She seemed to have an appropriate one for every occasion. In all her speech and mannerisms, she consistently taught her family and associates by outstanding example.
     Buddhist religion structure and practice played a very compelling part in Quindy's life. Quindy was very active in the local Thai Wat (temple) in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria, Virginia. She was also a frequent visitor and worshiper at Wat Lao near rural Catlin, Virginia. In cooperation with Pra Soontornthammathada, from Wat Sisaket in Nongkhai, Thailand, Quindy was instrumental in coordinating the acquisition and shipping from Thailand, of important outstanding religious icons for two Wats: Wat Lao and an International Khmer Wat in Toronto, Ontario. During her visits to Thailand, she often traveled throughout the country accompanying Pra Soontornthammathada, where she was received and blessed by many very eminent personages within the Buddhist religious establishment of Thailand.
     Quindy was an extremely talented person, with preeminent levels of skill in tatting, crochet, design and needle-work. She was the owner of her own small business "Quindy's Crafts". In her craft work, she designed, created and fabricated many items of handcrafts for sale and as gifts. Some of her original design tatted Christmas ornaments are used in the decoration of the United States' First Family's Christmas tree in the White House. Other examples of her work were selected for the honor of display on the National Christmas tree of the Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Quindy has shown and successfully sold her original work at high-quality craft shows in many locations throughout the Eastern United States, from locations ranging from as far west as the Art Fair on the Square in Madison, Wisconsin; to the prestigious Sugarloaf Mountain Works shows throughout the eastern United States; as far south as Tampa, Florida; and as far north as Rochester, New York.
     When Quindy first came to the United States in 1975, she had her first of many opportunities to become a U.S. citizen.   She rejected all those offers to proudly retain her Thai citizenship and passport. On her trips back to Thailand, she was smug in her ability to pass quickly through Thai immigration control bearing a Thai passport. She often noted that she was directly related to a historic Thai Royal lineage and would never denigrate her noble heritage. Her pride in the successes of Thai society, government, and the Royal Family was often the subject of her discourses.
     You can view a transcript of the eulogy presented by Harold W. Moritz at the funeral ceremonies on August 28 and 29, 1997 for Quindy Thepsena Moritz.
     You may also want to read an original poem by Harry's niece, Peggy Lynn Trantow, which she dedicated to Quindy.

An Original Poem Dedicated To:
Quindy Thepsena Moritz
Written by Peggy Lynn Trantow, October, 1997

I Look To The Clouds And Ask

Where Has She Gone -

Is That Her Whisper I Hear

In That Gentle Morning Breeze...

The Lady Who Was Our Sun

A Woman Who Was Our Life -

She's Now Making Our Rainbows

And Holding Onto Our Moon...

I Hear The Clouds laughing

And Somehow Know, She's Behind It -

But Where Has She Gone

That Keeper Of Our Hearts...

So When I See The Morning Dew

Softly Kissing Her beloved Orchids -

I Then Know With All My Heart

That She Will Never Be Truly Gone...

Peggy Lynn Trantow, 1977