REFLECTIONS

This page is augmented from time to time. Please visit it again when time permits.

------------------- In remembrance of Marie on her 57th Birthday, February 18, 2003 We'll never forget her beautiful smile, her infectious and hearty laugh, her love for all her cats, for her iguana, for us, and for you, but especially, we'll never forget "her". She was loved much more than she realized, and we wish we'd told her so much more often. Our thoughts are with you today, as always. We wish we were there to do something special with you in celebration of Marie. DICK FLETCHER and DOTTIE HANSEN ---------------------------------- The last time I spoke with Marie was some months after my brother Dirk was killed. We talked about staying in touch. I hope that you can find comfort and peace in your memories of Marie. I know that is what she would want. She was truly a remarkable lady, and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to know her. CAREY, KIM, ERIN, PATRICK & BEJAMIN QUDIR ------------------------ I painted in classes with Marie and got to know her a little. She brought a wonderful joy and friendliness to class, and we joked a lot together. I always enjoyed talking with her. I shared a lot of laughs with her. When she joined us for dinner before our evening class, we'd joke about how the group was like a dysfunctional family - a little nuts, but a lot of fun. When Marie and I first met, we discussed our mutual bouts with cancer and supported each other's concerns. She would greet me with "How are you doing?" which I always treated as just a pleasantry and replied "Fine." When I learned she had died, I suddenly realized that she had really wanted to know and had very human concern. I am going to miss her very much. Here's a poem I wrote when another friend died. JOE PALSA CONTRASTS Once you were stark and tangible light against dark, black on white. But you felt that dark hand on your shoulder, and began the agonizing slide from contrast. Suddenly you are gone. Unannounced. Now you are white on white, pale on pale, and dark on dark, so I cannot see you, but I know you are here. I can feel you beyond my knowing. Somewhere There, around the next turn, in the next doorway. Deep inside, where night no longer remembers even a semblance of day. Where stones shift, melt and flow back to original thought. It is here that I really know you are. Here beyond the tip of my tongue, where names and faces hide, I see an occasional glint in the shadows. I know it is you. Stay for awhile. I've kept a place for you here. Surely I need you now, even as I needed you then. Talk to me in my dreams, and whisper to me in my thoughts. I will listen. Stay with me and be my joy. ---------------------------- Marie's smile and friendliness is how we will always remember her. Her unexpected and untimely death is a message to all of us that we "know not the day nor the hour." Learning about all the obstacles she overcame reminded us that we never know what our acquaintances are suffering and that we should always try to be sensitive to their needs. BLANCHE and JOHN KAMMER --------------------------- She was such a sweet lady. PILAR REYES ---------------------------- Each time someone dies, Someone cries, And as the tears fill our eyes, We look up at the sky and realize That tomorrow Another sun will rise And help disguise Our sorrow And that fact that Each time someone dies, Someone cries. STEPHEN MEYER ---------------------------- Marie was a really neat, special person. I enjoyed her so much, and I will really miss her. GINNY KRUTILEK ---------------------------- It just isn't fair for someone as young and vital as Marie to be taken. DOROTHY KARVASALES ---------------------------- We're so glad we had a chance to know Marie! DICK and ARLENE DOLESCHY ---------------------------- We still have a living plant to remember her by. She sent it to us in 1991 when you moved into the house we had enjoyed living in for so many years. JOHANNA and JOHN SCHUITEMA ----------------------------- We always enjoyed talking with Marie and thought very highly of her. DAVID and JENNIFER BOYDEN ---------------------------- I had hoped very much to meet Marie on our next trip to California. Your writing about her was lovely and a touching tribute. MARGARET ROSEBOOM --------------------------- I've been finding it quite difficult to accept the loss of Marie. I put her picture up at the studio. She will be greatly missed. She had so much to offer all of us. She expressed herself with a lot of heart and in the most honest and sincere way. It showed in her painting. Marie added a special little spark to the studio when she was there. I will surely miss her. LARRY ROBINSON --------------------------- What beautiful and hopeful accounts I heard of the celebration of Marie's life which sounds so happy, especially during her final years. It was wonderful to hear she was painting away and had found her artistic voice and was enjoying her work. I didn't realize how involved she was in the community and St. Joe's, and her great love of animals. JANET OLIPHANT ---------------------------- The service for Marie was beautiful. The music and choir were outstanding. The short time we knew Marie was a joy. Walter says she always took time to speak to him, and it made him feel so good. I felt the same way. She pitched in to help in the kitchen where we had Audio in September. We will all miss her very much. WALTER and DORINDA NYLAND --------------------------- I was saddened to hear of Marie's unexpected death. I was always touched by her warm smile and good humor despite her various adversities. I offer you my sympathy and prayers in your loss of a wonderful wife and friend. FR. JEREMIAH HOLLAND, SS.CC. --------------------------- We can never be separated from those we love because God leaves us with memories to hold and love that doesn't pass away. And in time, we realize that our loved one lives on not only in a home beyond the setting sun but also within our hearts. THE ST. JOSEPH BASILICA CHOIR --------------------------- Marie and I met a few years ago at a UC painting class when we were both just starting to paint, and we connected immediately. Marie will be missed by all of us who got to know her at Oakdale. She always had a positive word for the other artists. She was fun and funny. We sat together at the critiques and were so busy talking with each other I didn't realize the class was talking about my work. That gave both of us a good big laugh! JUDITH AHRENS ---------------------------- Sometimes mere words just aren't enough To take away our grief, So we rely on God for help And strength in our belief. May He uplift you gently, Take the sorrow that you bear, Then comfort you with healing In the safety of his care. We will miss her warmth and her smile. FR. PATRICK CROWLEY, SS.CC. and ST. JOSEPH BASILICA STAFF ---------------------------- Marie touched so many of us so very deeply. We are all fortunate to have known her. PATRICK POWELL ---------------------------- Nothing can make up for the absence of someone we love. And it would be wrong to try to find a substitute. We must simply hold out and see it through. That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation. For the gap -- as long as it remains unfulfilled -- preserves the bond between us. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap. God does not fill it. But on the contrary, keeps it empty and so helps us to keep alive our former communion with each other even at the cost of pain. FR. RICH DANYLUK, SS.CC. ---------------------------- I always enjoyed being around Marie, and I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that her many friends are thinking of her and praying for her. MAUREEN CARROLL --------------------------- Remembering what a lovely Marie you had. RUTH NIELD ---------------------------- Marie was a blessing. I always looked forward to her happy face when she came to the museum. JIM McGROGAN --------------------------- Marie will be missed. She was a beautify person. I will remember her in my prayers. BARBARA BATMALE ---------------------------- I "re-met" Marie this past semester in Larry's San Francisco painting class. We met originally a few years ago. Marie was always kind and eager to be helpful. This past fall she stayed late after class to help clean up after a sink plumbing disaster. Another time she came early and helped install new fixtures for hanging paintings. Marie was generous in praising other people's work while being very modest about her own. I will miss her. CAROL RIENECKER --------------------------- What a lovely and sweet woman she was. Marie always greeted we with her quiet smile and made me feel immediately at ease. KAY REED --------------------------- Marie was always so friendly, so cheerful, so very "up front." She will be missed. There are many people who share the grief you must feel. ALICE and BERNARD CHALIP ---------------------------- Marie and I worked together in the gift shop at the museum. She was a wonderful person and a good friend. I shall miss her very much. BARBARA GIBSON ---------------------------- There are certain people who touch the lives of those they know in a very special way. Knowing them brings us joy and inspiration, and when they're gone, the memories of their warm, guiding presence stays with us. Marie was one if those special people to me. I feel blessed to have known such a wonderful person. CATHY PEINADO

--------------------------- "May God bless you, protect you, guard you, guide you, and keep you in health and happiness. Praise you, Jesus." This was my Mom's Irish blessing she shared with a Hug. As I prayed for Marie and you early this morning, this came. I share it with the promise of holding you both in prayer . . . JOANNE HARNETT GRIEF Grief--Where is it? Where does it hide? It's like the ocean and like the tides. The ebb and flow, in and out, appears for peaceful and yet is so deep! Hidden therein . . the pain, the grief, soon to emerge as tumultuous waves overwhelming and drenching in salty tears as the HEART within feels the loss of years. Yes, years and years of pain and joy of a bond of love slowly fastened in place with words of assurance and constant self-giving and of healing received in a suffering heart . . . Now the time has come and we have parted. Unprepared, shaken within, still holding the smile for the world to see . . . aware of God's blessings but in such deep pain as at times it engulfs and one feels oh, so weak . . HOW CAN I STAND ALONG WITHOUT HER, MY FRIEND, MY CONFIDANTE, MY WIFE AND WOMAN, MY LITTLE GIRL . . . . MY MARIE, MY MARIE ? ? ? ? (PHILLIPPIANS 4:13) She is with me, I feel, through her love and her prayers. She still reaches down and touches my heart and says from me she will never part. Though her earthly presence has departed this life he love is with me for the rest of my life - life on earth and life eternal. She says, with a smile, "I hold you in prayer and ask that you do the same for me. Ours is a love that will never be broken. THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR LVING ME AND FOR GIVING ME THE FREEDOM I NEEDED TO FIND AND LOVE ME. IT WAS THEN I COULD TRULY LOVE AND FINALLY BELIEVE - YOU TRULY LOVED ME ! ! Continue on in your earthly pursuits but sit in God's Presence and accept HIS PEACE. He is your friend and He'll never leave you. He will guide you each day, each step of the way, so please don't forget to pray - to talk with Him. He and His Mother send you their love and tell me I'm to remind you of who you are. "YOU ARE A PRECIOUS CHILD OF GOD AND HEIR OF HIS KINGDOM." One day again we will meet in Heaven. Until then, live life well. Pray without ceasing. Continue to smile and share God's love which you do so well. BE AT PEACE MY DEAR TOM. BE AT PEACE FOR I LOVE YOU ! ! MY PRAYERS I SHALL ALWAYS SHOWER DOWN UPON YOU. GOD'S PEACE, LOVE AND LIGHT I SEND YOU. YOU TRULY LOVE ME ! . . . . . YOU TRULY LOVE ME ! ! ---------------------------- I was so very saddened by the news of Marie's passing. I trust you will find solace in remembering her good life. JACK NEWELL, President, Deep Springs College ----------------------------- We were so sorry to hear about Marie's untimely death. Our prayers are with her. REV. LAROLD SCHULZ and DONNA DANIELSON ---------------------------- Marie and I exchanged personal feelings and events in our lives. She was a non-judgmental and supportive friend. I'm not a religious person, but I believe the hereafter is the way we remember people and keep their spirit alive, and Marie will stay in my memory and thoughts. DIANE COLER-DARK, President, Alameda Museum --------------------------- We were sorry to learn of Marie's death and also sorry the opportunity for us to meet her never came to pass. Our hearts and prayers are with both her and you. DONA AND FLOYD HILDEBRAND ---------------------------- So much of who we are comes from those who have touched us, other lives we have shared . . . When we mourn a loss, we also celebrate all the ways that another's life is reflected in our own. AUDREY HOWITT ---------------------------- We always question when our loved ones leave this world early. Only our Lord has the answer to that question. Our love and prayers are for Marie and you. RON AND ELAINE HILLENBRAND ---------------------------- We were very sorry to hear of Marie's sudden passing,. Our thoughts and prayers are with her. BONNIE AND BILL HORLBECK --------------------------- The loss of someone dear to you is very card to bear, but may it help a bit to know how much good friends all care. DEBRA ALBRIGHT, Lynn's of Alameda --------------------------- My deepest sympathy to you as you grieve the loss of Marie. The memorial service for her was so touching, from the readings to the music to the eulogies to the reception following. Marie was certainly there in spirit and I'm sure she was smiling her approval on everything. As a fellow animal lover and occasional rescuer, I am pleased to honor the suggestion of a contribution to the SPCA. Marie's kindness toward God's creatures can then be carried on by others. DORIS NEUBERGER --------------------------- "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me. In My Father's house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and than I shall come back and take you with me, that where I am you also may be. You know the way that leads where I go." - John 14:1-4 My brother noted this passage in his Bible shortly before his death three years ago. I hope it may be of some comfort to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers - as is Marie. LIZ SOMMERS and TAYLOR ELLIOTT --------------------------- Saying goodbye to one we love so dearly is very difficult. I hope memories of Marie will bring you and all the rest of us some comfort. MARIE BOWERS --------------------------- I'm dedicating our current production of "Forever Plaid" to Marie because her unfortunate passing sparked an epiphany for me and refocused my personal priorities on those things in life that are really important. JOHN MAIO, Managing and Artistic Director, Altarena Playhouse, Alameda ----------------------------