The World's Loss - Heaven's Gain

Word came this evening that a dear and wonderful friend of ours had passed away. Jackie had been suffering from cancer for the past several years, and it is a blessing to know that she no longer has to suffer. But that doesn't ease the pain for the rest of us who have to live without her now.

This was Jackie - always smiling, always happy - last year at our annual New Years celebration. She didn't make it to this years celebration because she was in the hospital, but she was with us in spirit. As you can see, last year, she has delighted to get her annual New Years' gift of bananas.

We first met Jackie when I was not quite two years old. We moved into the house next to her in-laws. Jackie was expecting her first child (my dear friend, Maria) and my mother was expecting my brother Peter.

Soon after that they moved into a house nearly across the street. And as my mother once said "you grew up in each others' houses." It was true. Jackie (the only adult we called by her first name, because her mother-in-law, our next door neighbor was already "Mrs. Maruca") was always welcoming and loving. She treated us as her own. She was more a favorite aunt then a neighbor and friend.

She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Especially her loving husband, Rocky, her three children and her grandchildren.

And here's one more picture. Jackie is in the middle in the green shirt. This was from Christmas 1974. I'm wearing the blue robe with the gold halo in my hair, Maria is next to me with the blue cape, my brother is the one munching on the carrot (we had apparently put on a Christmas play.)

Rest in peace, Jackie. We love you.