Observation date: May 27, 2018
Date notes: This day was my late wife's memorial service, in Geneva, NY.
Submitted by: Stan Mathews
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This is going to sound weird, but today was my late wife's memorial service. As the service was beginning, the priest was just about to lead my daughters and me into Saint John's chapel on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This huge moth , almost the size of a sparrow, landed on the sleeve of his cassock. He looked at it, looked at us, and smiled. He then proceeded to lead us into the chapel, followed by one of my daughters, carrying my wife's ashes in an urn. The moth stayed on his sleeve until we were seated, and had finished the first hymn. Then it flew to the wall, where it stayed motionless for the 90 minute service. After the service, the same daughter brought a program over to it, and it climbed onto a photograph of my late wife, myself, and our 2 year old granddaughter. She carried it outdoors, where a hushed crowd formed to look at it. You can see how large it is relative to my daughter's thumb (she is 5' 11"). No one had ever seen anything like it. I have lived in Geneva for more than 3 decades, and I have never seen such a huge, beautiful moth. After a few minutes, it fluttered away. None of us are superstitious. You may make of that what you will, but the entire event was witnessed by at least 100 people.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: May 28, 2018
Coordinator notes: Thank you for that very touching story. I'm sorry for your loss. Obviously she was very special to receive such a tribute.
