Hello Lovely Sister of Mine-
It was a beautiful day in San Diego for your service. The sky was so blue, the comforting warmth of the sun and the setting at Aunt Joyce and George's was picture perfect. They were so gracious in offering their home and had the most beautiful flowers and candles for you. We had photos of you on dislplay from infancy on and newspaper articles written about you in your performing days with Sharkey and a dvd playing with many pictures of you that brought back so many memories.
There was a wonderful gathering of family and friends who prepared and brought good old North Dakota "comfort" food and shared their memories of you - lots of funny stories, so we had some good laughs. Those who could not be there, called or sent flowers and cards. It was truly a celebration of your life Denise.
Now that your service has taken place, I'm having a really tough time coming to grips with the finality of it all. I'm still waiting to wake up from this very bad dream - it still seems so surreal. When we were growing up, it was sometimes Mom and the three of us kids against the world and now that you're gone, I feel lost and don't know what I'm going to do without you.
Ok, I can hear you now "enough of the pity party sis, just get on with living life and I'll always be with you" - and so I will.
I love you.
Neine
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Felt at ease with straight away
We were all very sorry to hear of Denise's illness and her passing. We only had the pleasure of Denise's company on one occasion. It was during the visit of the Sharkey clan to Donegal and I met them all when they visited my mothers house. It was great to meet our cousins that we had heard about from my mother (Kathleen). Of course we had met Bridget and Charlie many times, as they were and are frequent visitors to Donegal. They visited my mothers house in Carrickfinn one evening and we spent the evening talking and laughing. I remember Denise as a bright and bubbly person and was the kind of person whose company you felt at ease with straight away. The following evening we spend a lovely night at the local pub in Mullaghduff. If I remember rightly a few nice creamy pints of Guinness and maybe even the odd half of Irish whiskey were enjoyed!
- cousin, Denis Duffy (Kathleen's son from Carrickfinn, Donegal)
- cousin, Denis Duffy (Kathleen's son from Carrickfinn, Donegal)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
from Robin Eurich
Denise
Cruise Director on a fabulous journey.
Improv Incorporated to The Sunset Comedy Store.
We made all of the mistakes of youth and had all of youth's glory.
Denise,
Gravel-alto voiced, quick to laugh.
Lauren Bacall trapped in the body of a Nevada Ranch girl.
She made you want to spoil her.
A poke in the ribs and a cooing smile and soon you were walking through a San Francisco midnight buying cigarettes although you didn't smoke.
Unpretentious charm, Daring wit, Unbelievable talent and softness.
What a dame!
Cruise Director on a fabulous journey.
Improv Incorporated to The Sunset Comedy Store.
We made all of the mistakes of youth and had all of youth's glory.
Denise,
Gravel-alto voiced, quick to laugh.
Lauren Bacall trapped in the body of a Nevada Ranch girl.
She made you want to spoil her.
A poke in the ribs and a cooing smile and soon you were walking through a San Francisco midnight buying cigarettes although you didn't smoke.
Unpretentious charm, Daring wit, Unbelievable talent and softness.
What a dame!
from Gil Christner & Sira Windwer
Dear Denise,
Sorry we can’t be there today. But we are even sorrier you can’t be there either.
You were a force of nature in our lives. You taught us so many things, like how to ask for a better room at a hotel, how to send food back until it’s right, how to look for the secret way out of a cave, where to find lobster for $5 in Rosarita Beach, a greasy pork chop in Death Valley, the quietest part of Yosemite, the prettiest part of Pismo beach at sunset.
But mostly you taught us that life is an adventure to be had, and it never pays to be timid about what you want or what you feel. Because of our friendship with you we have seen so much, experienced so much, and felt so much that we never would have otherwise; all of it good.
We love you and miss you, our dear friend.
Sorry we can’t be there today. But we are even sorrier you can’t be there either.
You were a force of nature in our lives. You taught us so many things, like how to ask for a better room at a hotel, how to send food back until it’s right, how to look for the secret way out of a cave, where to find lobster for $5 in Rosarita Beach, a greasy pork chop in Death Valley, the quietest part of Yosemite, the prettiest part of Pismo beach at sunset.
But mostly you taught us that life is an adventure to be had, and it never pays to be timid about what you want or what you feel. Because of our friendship with you we have seen so much, experienced so much, and felt so much that we never would have otherwise; all of it good.
We love you and miss you, our dear friend.
from Jim Diederich
When I first met Denise she was an Au Pair for a wealthy Pacific Heights couple and I remember picking her up once at their home. As I waited downstairs I was admiring the opulent surroundings when I heard a swoosh on the stairs and looked up to see Denise seeming to float down the stairs in a flowery, flowing, retro-‘30’s silk dress that trailed behind her like a shimmering puff of smoke. I have that picture of her, carefree and flowing. That is how I will always remember her.
One more thing - she was wearing flip flops. How was she able to float down a staircase like that while wearing flip flops? It was just part of her magic.
On the stage she was fearless. I particularly remember a scene she and Anne Marie Smith did together where she played a child talking to an imaginary friend and Anne Marie was the mother who insisted there was no imaginary friend. The scene became more and more intense with Denise frantically insisting that the imaginary friend was really, really there. It was so heartbreakingly familiar to anyone who has been told their dreams aren’t real. (And isn’t that everyone, period?) It was classic “playing the moment”, and the moment was so real and touching that it affected everyone in the theater that night, including several hard-bitten improvisers.
When I think of Denise it is these two scenes that come to mind, one in the real world, one on the stage. She was a special woman, a special improviser, and a special friend.
One more thing - she was wearing flip flops. How was she able to float down a staircase like that while wearing flip flops? It was just part of her magic.
On the stage she was fearless. I particularly remember a scene she and Anne Marie Smith did together where she played a child talking to an imaginary friend and Anne Marie was the mother who insisted there was no imaginary friend. The scene became more and more intense with Denise frantically insisting that the imaginary friend was really, really there. It was so heartbreakingly familiar to anyone who has been told their dreams aren’t real. (And isn’t that everyone, period?) It was classic “playing the moment”, and the moment was so real and touching that it affected everyone in the theater that night, including several hard-bitten improvisers.
When I think of Denise it is these two scenes that come to mind, one in the real world, one on the stage. She was a special woman, a special improviser, and a special friend.
In our thoughts this Saturday
The east coast Sharkey, McGlynn and Nodine families join her friends and family on the west coast in ‘Remembering Denise’. We cannot be there in body, but know that we are there in spirit to celebrate a life filled with love, laughter and adventure.
We all have our own fond memories of Denise.
The east coast family first met Denise when she and Joe came back here for a niece’s wedding in October, 1986. The first time meeting our family is sometimes overwhelming but Denise fit right in and endeared herself to all of us. She showed great courage being surrounded by 90 some relatives of Joe’s, making sure she met everyone, in-laws and out-laws, and remembering who belonged to whom and always caring enough to ask about them when we saw her.
Over the last 20 some years she continued to care. Her comforting presence in our times of loss and her great joy in our celebrations. She knew every kids name and covered their refrigerator with their pictures from babies, schools, weddings and family parties.
Even when she was sick her thoughts were for others – were we comfortable, having a good time in SF – was Joe taking care of us? She never stopped caring.
We will remember Denise as one special woman that we will not soon forget – and - she was the best thing to happen to my brother and to us.
We love you and miss you Denise.
We all have our own fond memories of Denise.
The east coast family first met Denise when she and Joe came back here for a niece’s wedding in October, 1986. The first time meeting our family is sometimes overwhelming but Denise fit right in and endeared herself to all of us. She showed great courage being surrounded by 90 some relatives of Joe’s, making sure she met everyone, in-laws and out-laws, and remembering who belonged to whom and always caring enough to ask about them when we saw her.
Over the last 20 some years she continued to care. Her comforting presence in our times of loss and her great joy in our celebrations. She knew every kids name and covered their refrigerator with their pictures from babies, schools, weddings and family parties.
Even when she was sick her thoughts were for others – were we comfortable, having a good time in SF – was Joe taking care of us? She never stopped caring.
We will remember Denise as one special woman that we will not soon forget – and - she was the best thing to happen to my brother and to us.
We love you and miss you Denise.
The Inspector General
August 11-17, 1978
Ed Turner for Drama-Logue
The Inspector General
Gogol's comic statement on the absurdity of human endeavor becomes flesh and bone as a group of pompous town officials attempt to cover up their corrupt schemes when a big city inspector general comes to assess their local bureaucracy. In reality, their suspected inspector is nothing more than a vacationing petty official, who then takes full advantage of their greed and guilt
What a pleasure it is to see an ensemble group take its dramatic chance and not only come out on top of it all, but display a markedly progressive improvement within its repertory cast.
The Inspector General is a deceptively difficult play to successfully produce, played straight it won't work, and to play it as a farcical romp would be disastrous.
As the mayor's stodgy sister, Denise Schultz not only compliments her role but those actors surrounding her as well. With a strong improvisational base, one hopes she will continue to develop her flair for comedy.
Drums in the Night
April 7, 1978
StageBeat - Los Angeles Times
Brecht's 'Drums' at the Hyperion
The setting of Brecht's "Drums in the Night" at the Hyperion Theatre is restive post World War 1 Germany, where the atmosphere of corruption, malaise and dismay points to the period of hiatus before the war resumed with a new number attached. We meet Frau and Herr Balicke, stout bourgeois types, and the wealthy and decadent Murk, who has impregnated their daughter Anna and is considered "a catch". Into the scene walks Kragler, a war veteran who is Anna's former lover, assumed dead. He looks like a chimney sweep, ravaged beyond middle class pretension. The play deals with his efforts to reclaim Anna, but also with the burgeoning anti-bourgeoisie movement; in short, the hope of a heroic future that will transcend the ruinous complacency of the old guard.
… Denise Schultz is disarmingly subtle as Anna. At first, we think she is a lump, but a later quickness of thought and movement suggest an awakening.
Ed Turner for Drama-Logue
There is something about this piece which sticks uncomfortably after viewing, a viscosity that is disconcerting when considering the excellent entertaining quality by which the Hyperion acting ensemble presented the material.
Set in post WW1 Germany against a background of social revolution, Drums is a love story (Brecht called it a comedy). Andre Kragler, a soldier returns home after four years as a prisoner of war on the eve his lover Anna has betrothed herself to another man. Besides having to regain Anna's love, Kragler must decide on whether to remain a soldier and fight in the revolution which wages through Germany, or remain with Anna. He opts for Anna.
The director has cast the production with great care. He maintains a consistent pace which the actors carry with exemplary talent.
Denise Schultz as Anna is alive with soft, fine, facial expressions which convey her character's complexity and indecision.
The Garret
Aug 1, 1974
Stanley Eichelbaum of the SF Examiner
The Garret -- charming improvisational revue
A beguiling new improvisational troupe started up last night at the Montgomery Playhouse in a satirical revue called "The Garret". Since they've taken over the committee's former home, I can't help admiring their courage. But they're surprisingly good and manifest as much talent as the Committee did in their first show.
The idea is simply to assemble a play, partly set and partly improvised about changing behavioral patterns from childhood to old age.
It's performed by a very engaging, quite young and admirably polished cast of seven. Jim Diederich and Denise Schultz more or less carry the ball, since they're coupled off more often than the others in sketches that advance them from school age to maturity.
August 2, 1974
Paine Knickerbocker of the San Francisco Chronicle
Six Talented Improvisors
…The occupations of the six are suggested by the audience. On opening night, these included a hooker, a junkie, a welder, a woman lawyer, and a computer operator. They are revealed at a class reunion which opens the second half.
The players work superbly together at some moments, even anticipating what one another will do. Jim Diederich, one of the busiest of the group, is very lively, and is often paired with the vigorous Denise Schultz.
August 2, 1974
Barbara Bladen of The Times
The Garret has Longlasting Charm
Every night would then produce a new set of formulae and these attractive coupled and experienced improvisational players are up to the pace and demands of keeping the show bright, sparkling and witty. A few topical references creep into the material, conditioned by suggestions from the daily newspaper headlines. So that too will change from week to week and give them further grist for fertile sophisticated rebuttals. One has the faith in their ability to meet satirical challenges, then it's onto something else that crackles with effervescent energy.
Jim Diederich and Denise Schultz come off as the quickest on the quips. They use their faces with comic mobility and seem to be entirely comfortable at any surprise suggestions the audience may throw at them.
August 12, 1974
Carlon Tanner of The Daily Californian
Gentle Comedy of The Garret
This new troupe of young performers works in a mellower and more structured style, with little of the anger and cynicism and crazy energy of their predecessors. But the Committee reached its comic zenith during the 60's, before anger had been swallowed up by cynicism and politics had gone beyond laughable.
Most of the show is amply funny and occasionally hilarious, but its best moments come early. There's a delightful little sketch about a little girl's imaginary–but very real–playmate, that is perceptive and true as well as amusing. Of course improvised comedy is the riskiest of all businesses–that's what makes it so exciting.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
So Far…
She had a love of travel and adventure that she got from reading… She & Shark, traveled all over Europe and most of the USA.We've been everywhere (else)
Albi, Amsterdam, Arles, Athens, Assisi, Avignon, Auxerre
Berlin, Berne, Brussels, Bellagio, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Bielefeld, Barcelona, Bratislavia, Belfast, Budapest
Copenhagen, Corfu, Cambridge, Courmayer, Coullier, Colmar, Cote d’Azur, Carcassonne, Cinque Terra, Caernarvon, County Down
Dubrovnik, Dublin, Dortmund, Derry, Darmstadt, Donegal, Drogheda, Dingle, (the) Dordogne, Dungloe,
Edinburgh, Ephesus, Erlangen
Florence, Frankfurt-am-Main, Fiskardo
Galway, Geneva, Genoa, Geiranger, Gubbio
Hamburg, (den) Hague
Istanbul, Invermoriston, Istuzu, Innsbruck
Krackow, Knin, Karlsruhe, Kincasslagh, Kildare, Kiel, Kalmar
Lefkada, Letterkenny, Lillehammer, London Town, Luino, Luxembourg
Marathon, Montpellier, Milano, Menton, Monte Carlo
Nice, Neuchatel
Oslo, Omagh, Oz
Paris, Porthmadog, Penzance, Paestium, Prague, Portree, Portrus, Perugia
Ravensburg, Rome, Rothenburg
Stockholm, Sorrento, Salzburg, Schweinfurt, Sansepolcro, Sligo, Spello,
St. Remy du Provence, Sarlat
Trogir, Tarranto
Ulm, Urbino
Vienna, Vaduz, Vatican, Villefranche
Warsaw, Wilhelmshaven, Wexford
X-marxthespot
Yugoslavia(‘90), Yardley, York
Zeebrucken, Zagreb, Zuiderzee
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Gift Very Few People Have
Denise,
Let me start by saying it has been so hard to write any note to you Denise because it then seems too real. I will not get to laugh with you for a time!! Coming is your day of remembrance and I wanted Shark to know we loved every minute we had with the two of you!!
You made such an impact on everyone around you in your short time here. When I told the kids that you now were at rest, Dillon said, "Denise and I were so much a like". I asked him in what way. He said, "We both love to cook". You made him feel so special while in your home and that was his fond memory of cooking with you! Your ability to make everyone feel special in a unique way is a gift very few people have. We will miss you!!!! I will see you again!
Joanie Schultz
(sister-in-law)
Let me start by saying it has been so hard to write any note to you Denise because it then seems too real. I will not get to laugh with you for a time!! Coming is your day of remembrance and I wanted Shark to know we loved every minute we had with the two of you!!
You made such an impact on everyone around you in your short time here. When I told the kids that you now were at rest, Dillon said, "Denise and I were so much a like". I asked him in what way. He said, "We both love to cook". You made him feel so special while in your home and that was his fond memory of cooking with you! Your ability to make everyone feel special in a unique way is a gift very few people have. We will miss you!!!! I will see you again!
Joanie Schultz
(sister-in-law)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day to Tiny Bits
Today is Mother's Day and oh my dear Denise, you are missed. I'm spending it with your sister and her wonderful family and we are a great comfort to each other, but we'll all be thinking of you and the sweet memories of the many Mother's Days you made so special. I consider myself so blessed for the 52 years you were in my life. You were a delightful little girl always happy and eager to help except for doing the dishes of course!
My favorite Mom's Day story is when you were about five years old and we were having breakfast and I pointed out that it was Mother's Day and I should be having breakfast in bed - you looked at me very calmly and said "well why don't you take your plate into the bedroom and eat in there"? I laughed then and still laugh about it. Yes my darling daughter, you brought so much laughter and happiness to my life.... the many trips with you and Sharkey, the talks about books, movies, theater and travel and the humor, always seeing the funny side of a situation, your amazing strength and courage and of course the hugs, the wonderful hugs!
By the way hon, Jeneine and I were ready to get into their pool for a swim and suddenly there was a white butterfly, so we know your spirit will always be with us as well as your love and laughter.
Love and Hugs,
Mom
My favorite Mom's Day story is when you were about five years old and we were having breakfast and I pointed out that it was Mother's Day and I should be having breakfast in bed - you looked at me very calmly and said "well why don't you take your plate into the bedroom and eat in there"? I laughed then and still laugh about it. Yes my darling daughter, you brought so much laughter and happiness to my life.... the many trips with you and Sharkey, the talks about books, movies, theater and travel and the humor, always seeing the funny side of a situation, your amazing strength and courage and of course the hugs, the wonderful hugs!
By the way hon, Jeneine and I were ready to get into their pool for a swim and suddenly there was a white butterfly, so we know your spirit will always be with us as well as your love and laughter.
Love and Hugs,
Mom
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hey Sis!
You’re never home when I call. What the heck? Where are you? One day we were discussing getting through this, the next your not answering the phone. I have a lot to talk to you about. I have some heavy life changes coming and I’d like your opinion. I’m not dealing well with this not answering the phone stuff.
I need you to tell me that it will be OK.
That you’re proud of me.
That you love me.
I love you.
I miss talking with you.
So call me.
I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
Can you even read this?
Until then, Love Bro.
I need you to tell me that it will be OK.
That you’re proud of me.
That you love me.
I love you.
I miss talking with you.
So call me.
I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
Can you even read this?
Until then, Love Bro.
Friday, April 18, 2008
You were my Go-To girl
Dear Denise,
It’s been over six weeks since you passed, and I’m still struggling for the words… If you were here you’d tell me to get a grip, sit next to the keyboard & get my act together…If I didn’t have a keyboard you’d find one for me, failing that shove a pencil in my hand…
Miss you so much…
Or I could say I was waiting to write after all of your Emmy Award winning writer friends had added their thoughts… and used all the good stuff… You had amazing friends & I’m proud to be one of them. I’ll never forget your very last words to me – I had said my final goodbyes and you pulled me back, to tell me what an influence I was in your life… You were the totally giving person down to your last breath…
From kayaking on the Russian River to bicycling in the Netherlands, you were the inspiration that got us all going and brought us back. On stage, you were my Go-To Girl…Always ready to jump in to a performance with 200% life & energy.
Bottom line… We laughed…and laughed and laughed and laughed…! You discovered those precious gems of comedy in life and showed it to us every day…
You’ve been likened to Sophie Tucker / Jessica Rabbit - Lauren Bacall / Eve Arden…
(I always thought it was Terri Garr!)
But nothing compares to you…
Love from John Elk
It’s been over six weeks since you passed, and I’m still struggling for the words… If you were here you’d tell me to get a grip, sit next to the keyboard & get my act together…If I didn’t have a keyboard you’d find one for me, failing that shove a pencil in my hand…
Miss you so much…
Or I could say I was waiting to write after all of your Emmy Award winning writer friends had added their thoughts… and used all the good stuff… You had amazing friends & I’m proud to be one of them. I’ll never forget your very last words to me – I had said my final goodbyes and you pulled me back, to tell me what an influence I was in your life… You were the totally giving person down to your last breath…
From kayaking on the Russian River to bicycling in the Netherlands, you were the inspiration that got us all going and brought us back. On stage, you were my Go-To Girl…Always ready to jump in to a performance with 200% life & energy.
Bottom line… We laughed…and laughed and laughed and laughed…! You discovered those precious gems of comedy in life and showed it to us every day…
You’ve been likened to Sophie Tucker / Jessica Rabbit - Lauren Bacall / Eve Arden…
(I always thought it was Terri Garr!)
But nothing compares to you…
Love from John Elk
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Funny and Fearless
Like a lot of other people I first saw Denise at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I had performed at The Intersection, and instead of doing a set at The Coffee Gallery, which, to me, was akin to doing comedy in the lowest rung of Hell, I decided to take in the improv show. I normally was not that big a fan of improv, but Denise lit up the stage whenever she was on it. She was funny and fearless and not afraid to take comedic chances and she was the reason it turned out to be a very funny night. I was a fan of hers from that night on.
Offstage she had a great smile, was quick to laugh, and always made you fell welcome and special. She was thoughtful and kind and I miss her.
Bill Farley
Offstage she had a great smile, was quick to laugh, and always made you fell welcome and special. She was thoughtful and kind and I miss her.
Bill Farley
Our Denise
Even though Denise was only 6 years younger than me, I was always Aunt Kathy. What a niece she was! I have always admired Denise's uninhibited style …her adventurous travel, acting, her love of the theater and books, hiking and exploring …going her own way in a fearless, confident manner.
Denise always made us feel better about ourselves because she made us feel comfortable and made us come out of our confines and enjoy her exuberant style. I remember she and Sharkey swimming in the Pacific when it was too cold for words. Celebrating Mother's Day, graduations, birthdays (or whatever was on the calendar) in her Mom's backyard …singing "you're the end of the rainbow"…Denise always making it a party. Denise dancing and laughing at Tesa and Jesse's wedding...throwing up her hands in surrender when she couldn't get the crowd to "get the beat". Traveling to North Dakota and Minnesota to visit relatives and fitting in like she had grown up there.
I have read the "to thy own self be true" motto that Denise lived by but she also encouraged us …no insisted that we do the same. She had a special sensitivity that made us feel free. She was such a loving daughter and so close to her Mom …our family was blessed with her love
Denise died way too young. We will miss and love her forever.
Kathy Furst
Denise always made us feel better about ourselves because she made us feel comfortable and made us come out of our confines and enjoy her exuberant style. I remember she and Sharkey swimming in the Pacific when it was too cold for words. Celebrating Mother's Day, graduations, birthdays (or whatever was on the calendar) in her Mom's backyard …singing "you're the end of the rainbow"…Denise always making it a party. Denise dancing and laughing at Tesa and Jesse's wedding...throwing up her hands in surrender when she couldn't get the crowd to "get the beat". Traveling to North Dakota and Minnesota to visit relatives and fitting in like she had grown up there.
I have read the "to thy own self be true" motto that Denise lived by but she also encouraged us …no insisted that we do the same. She had a special sensitivity that made us feel free. She was such a loving daughter and so close to her Mom …our family was blessed with her love
Denise died way too young. We will miss and love her forever.
Kathy Furst
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Magic Inside You
Dear Aunt Denise,
It’s been just over a month since you passed away. Sometimes I catch myself "forgetting" that you are gone though...I know, that seems so stupid.
I never thought that when I eventually get married, you wouldn’t be part of that day. I always knew that you would be there to calm my nerves and make me laugh through the tears that I will inevitably be shedding. Plus, you would most likely have found the most wonderful necklace or pair of earrings that would have been perfect for me.
I was so looking forward to seeing you with my children. You have magic inside of you. I really don’t know how else to explain what you are so able to express through your eyes, words, laugh and world famous hugs! Every day spent with you growing up was like summer vacation...and every kid knows how valuable summer vacation is! You never got tired of playing, you never made me feel like a child and you never ran out of fun! I pictured you with my own children and was so excited for the aunt they would be lucky enough to share with me.
I told mom the other day how sad I was for all the things that you aren’t going to be a part of, and she reminded me to think of all the things you were there to share with us. We always had so much anticipation for how you wrapped our gifts at Christmas! All the summers we spent in Yosemite, you never said no to hiking or swimming...no matter how cold the water in the river was.
I wish now I had taken you up on all the invitations you extended to stay with you in SF and that I had found a way to spend this past Christmas with the family. I knew that it could potentially be the last, but I’m not sure if I really believed that it would be.
You’re the most honest person I’ve ever known. Not only because you tell the truth, but because you have no reservations about telling people like it is. I’m having a hard time figuring some stuff out right now and I wish I could ask for your opinion. I may not necessarily like what you have to tell me, but I would know that it’s the truth and it’s coming from your heart.
There’s someone that I wish you could meet, but unfortunately the timing just didn’t work out right. I got really lucky this time around and I’m sad that you can’t tell me what you think.
More than anything, I want to be loved the way you were. A huge part of that was the result of all the love you gave. You knew what was truly important in life and it had nothing to do with possessions. Granted you knew a lot of the right people, but it was the experiences with those people that made up your life. It’s funny how you never shared with me who your neighbors in NYC were when you and Jim were sharing that apartment. But that’s because they were just people to you. Who they became was essentially irrelevant. That’s just the life you lived.
I was fortunate enough to call you my aunt. You were my mom’s baby sister. But I got so much more than just an amazing family member out of your presence in my life. I hope everyone has the opportunity to know someone like you at some point in their life...if even just for a day. I was lucky enough to get you for 31 years. My life has been blessed more each day that you were a part of it. And you didn’t even do anything special, you were just you. Thank you for all your love.
Anne-Marie
It’s been just over a month since you passed away. Sometimes I catch myself "forgetting" that you are gone though...I know, that seems so stupid.
I never thought that when I eventually get married, you wouldn’t be part of that day. I always knew that you would be there to calm my nerves and make me laugh through the tears that I will inevitably be shedding. Plus, you would most likely have found the most wonderful necklace or pair of earrings that would have been perfect for me.
I was so looking forward to seeing you with my children. You have magic inside of you. I really don’t know how else to explain what you are so able to express through your eyes, words, laugh and world famous hugs! Every day spent with you growing up was like summer vacation...and every kid knows how valuable summer vacation is! You never got tired of playing, you never made me feel like a child and you never ran out of fun! I pictured you with my own children and was so excited for the aunt they would be lucky enough to share with me.
I told mom the other day how sad I was for all the things that you aren’t going to be a part of, and she reminded me to think of all the things you were there to share with us. We always had so much anticipation for how you wrapped our gifts at Christmas! All the summers we spent in Yosemite, you never said no to hiking or swimming...no matter how cold the water in the river was.
I wish now I had taken you up on all the invitations you extended to stay with you in SF and that I had found a way to spend this past Christmas with the family. I knew that it could potentially be the last, but I’m not sure if I really believed that it would be.
You’re the most honest person I’ve ever known. Not only because you tell the truth, but because you have no reservations about telling people like it is. I’m having a hard time figuring some stuff out right now and I wish I could ask for your opinion. I may not necessarily like what you have to tell me, but I would know that it’s the truth and it’s coming from your heart.
There’s someone that I wish you could meet, but unfortunately the timing just didn’t work out right. I got really lucky this time around and I’m sad that you can’t tell me what you think.
More than anything, I want to be loved the way you were. A huge part of that was the result of all the love you gave. You knew what was truly important in life and it had nothing to do with possessions. Granted you knew a lot of the right people, but it was the experiences with those people that made up your life. It’s funny how you never shared with me who your neighbors in NYC were when you and Jim were sharing that apartment. But that’s because they were just people to you. Who they became was essentially irrelevant. That’s just the life you lived.
I was fortunate enough to call you my aunt. You were my mom’s baby sister. But I got so much more than just an amazing family member out of your presence in my life. I hope everyone has the opportunity to know someone like you at some point in their life...if even just for a day. I was lucky enough to get you for 31 years. My life has been blessed more each day that you were a part of it. And you didn’t even do anything special, you were just you. Thank you for all your love.
Anne-Marie
Friday, April 4, 2008
Missing My Sis
Well, it's been a month my dear sweet Denise and I still cannot believe you're not here anymore. I've been wanting to post something but can't seem to find the right words, but here goes.
Thank you for always being there for your family and others. Thank you for inspiring me to travel more......I'll never forget our trips to New Orleans and NYC (before the tragic events), our week long camping trips to Yosemite, talking me into hiking the Panoramic Trail(even though I thought I would have to be carried back to the campsite)!! Even though I was your "older sister" you were the one always so protective of me - I was afraid of everything.....YOU were afraid of nothing!!
You were a wonderful Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Niece, Friend who lived to make others happy. I will forever and always miss my sis.
Jeneine
Thank you for always being there for your family and others. Thank you for inspiring me to travel more......I'll never forget our trips to New Orleans and NYC (before the tragic events), our week long camping trips to Yosemite, talking me into hiking the Panoramic Trail(even though I thought I would have to be carried back to the campsite)!! Even though I was your "older sister" you were the one always so protective of me - I was afraid of everything.....YOU were afraid of nothing!!
You were a wonderful Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Niece, Friend who lived to make others happy. I will forever and always miss my sis.
Jeneine
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