HOLY MASS WILL BE OFFERED FOR TERI GARR, MAY SHE RIP

At my request Holy Mass will be offered for the late Teri Garr, the comic actress who just passed of multiple sclerosis on October 29. Of your love, please add your prayers. 

Garr was best known for “Tootsie” where she played the opposite of herself as Sandy, the hapless struggling actress who is on the point of quitting the New York thespian scene. She is coached by Dustin Hoffman’s character to audition for the role of hospital administrator on a day-time soap. The  Hoffman character realizes he can get the part, does so, and then neglects to tell Sandy because “she gets suicidal at a birthday party”. 

Garr as the thespian teetering of the edge was hilarious in Tootsie, and re-watching scenes always put me in a good mood, especially when I was in my early 20s teaching in a low income school and often feeling emotionally depleted. I never thought I’d know people who had first hand accounts of Garr. Last Christmas I had the delight of being with old friends who had worked with her and they shared memories of a lady who was truly a woman of many talents, a tireless worker and most importantly loyal: Garr was an actor’s actor. 

In recent weeks, we’ve been sending up our Rosaries for her. Garr was of Irish descent so there was most likely Catholics in her lineage. I’d like to say she is already making people laugh in Heaven but I don’t know, so I pray:

O Good Jesus, Whose loving Heart was ever troubled by the sorrows of others, look with pity on the souls of our dear ones in Purgatory. 

You, who "loved Your own", hear our cry for mercy, and grant that those whom You have called from our homes and hearts may soon enjoy everlasting rest in the home of Your love and mercy in heaven. Amen

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace. 

Amen. 

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The photo of Teri Garr is in the public domain.