Funeral of and Tribute for Dona Martha

The First Lady of Boxing has departed this Earth and She was given a farewell, worthy of and reserved for Royalty.

On a beautiful and sun dappled day outside, a white butterfly flitted by, but then fluttered back once again, perhaps curious and inquisitive about the buzz from a hive of activity.

A multitude of Tributes within the portals of the Panteon Frances, as literally hundreds came to pay their respects and cherish some special and memorable moments with reflection, involving the essential essence of what made Martha Saldivar Sulaiman, so admired, adored and revered, being natural, down to earth and constantly showing her humanity.   A quiet yet demonstrative soul, forever inscribed on and in the hearts of those who knew, esteemed and valued her.  And loved her for who and what she was.

This place is specifically designed and built to accommodate funerals but the sheer scale, size and magnitude of what was transpiring, unfolding and coming to pass, was simply extraordinary. It was off the charts, yet the writing was on the wall. Every square inch of it on the first floor was festooned with flowers and wreaths for Dona Martha, with written messages and family names. Mostly on ribbons, draped across pristine white flora, but every now and again a splash of pinks or mauves. A mosaic of petals stemming from love stretching further than a hundred metres on either side. Simply extraordinary and awe inspiring!

You could feel the warmth of human kindness, but also a high degree of collective body heat, as literally hundreds were present for the Service given by family friend Bishop Georges Miled Saad Abi Younes, the Leader of the Maronite Church in Mexico, as the temperature rose.  Readings from Grandchildren Monica and Hector.  Hector Sr thanking those who were there for Dona Martha and the Family, many from all over the World.

The two daughters and four sons standing in an Honour Guard and a tribute on the dais in front of  row upon row of plush black sofas to seat the many who came for the service at noon,  for which there was finally only standing room.

Bishop Georges described Dona Martha as a loving mother and a woman of peace.  A person of community and of family.

At the front, a photo of Dona Martha with her arms draped around her beloved Don Jose, who was radiantly smiling in happier times…the happiest times. A film at the end of the service, with a montage of family photos. A togetherness which shows the glue which bonds the Sulaiman family.

One photo in particular of Dona Martha playing cards, sticks in the mind.  Throughout this life, we receive the cards that fate deals us. But then…it is up to us to arrange them into a winning hand when the chips are down. That she did brilliantly!

The film cuts to Dona Martha and Don Jose chatting after dinner. They are as one epitomizing: ‘’You are me and I am you, with all that we think and all that we do.’’

The essence of the poem entitled.. Together:

First there was I thinking of you,

As I look at the sky.

Then there was you, making me happy with all that you do,

Now there`s us, no problems, no fuss,

With love and mutual trust, as our ashes mingle to Eternal dust.