SUNDAY…MONDAY….TUESDAY!!!! YAY!

APRIL 1st THRU APRIL 3rd , etc., 2012, in KEY WEST WITH LYNDA!!!

91st BIRTHDAY PART FOR LARRY HARVEY & BENEFIT FOR ALAN, ON APRIL 4TH……This is a Head’s Up for ALL of Key West! Our beloved Larry Harvey will be celebrating his 91st birthday at AQUA NIGHTCLUB, 711 Duval St., from 5:00 to 7:30 PM on Wed., April 4th! Along with this celebration is a benefit for Larry’s partner, Alan Ferguson, whom has had a tough time of it, and is presently at the Key West Convalescent Center. We need to raise money to help defray the cost of his ongoing and future nursing care, which I hear will be a long process. This will be a special event that we implore you to attend…The superb, Bobby Nesbitt will be at the piano…plus the fabulous Christopher Peterson and Randy Roberts are scheduled to make a singing appearance. Sensational Broadway star, TERRI WHITE, will be there, as will be Danny Weathers and Carmen Rodriguez….and ALL Key West entertainers are invited to attend to sing their hearts out for Larry on his birthday, and Alan,who is in dire need. Note that there will be a giant Cake….free entertainment from our very best…..and a 50/50 drawing…and LOTS of surprises!!!! For added questions call Rick Dery, at 393-3092. WE REALLY NEED YOU THERE FOR ALAN!!!!! So PLEASE mark your calendars and stop by on this special occasion!!!! If you are an entertainer and would like to participate in this event, please let me know ASAP or call Rick at the above number! For those of you who cannot be there and want to help donate, send checks made payable to ALAN FERGUSON and mail to me at 330 Caroline St., Key West, FL 33040. Mark “For ALAN FERGUSON FUND” on the envelope. I will see that they get to ALAN. If there is any info on another place to send these checks, I will let you know in my blog. Thanks a lot>

LAST WEEK TO SEE THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE….DON’T MISS IT!!!!!..RUNS ONLY THRU APRIL 7….Want some fun in your life? Are you tired of all the gloom and doom in the world? Then, have I got a show for Y-O_U!!!!! This show at the esteemed Waterfront Playhouse, will lift your spirits, brighten your day, and keep a smile on your face all day long! Note that this is NOT a kiddie show as some people think it might be, because of the title. It is adult humor but very charming and adorable in every single way!!! We have seen the show twice already, and plan to see it two more times this week. Looks as if we have become Spelling Bee Groupies!!!!!! Artistic director, Danny Weathers deserves more accolades for bringing this enjoyable show to our stage, for choosing such a marvelous cast, and for his spot on direction! The set design by Michael Boyer is another stroke of artistic genius. The actors and their performances are simply fabulous! Great singing and acting….it’s non-stop laughing and even some heart string pulling thrown in for good measure, as you get caught up in the personal stories of these young “spelling champs.” Congratulations to this sensational group of actors….each perfectly cast for their character……Gayla Morgan, Joe McMurray, Eric Cole, Kristen Michelle, Jessica Miano Kruel, Kennedy Pugh, Marc Crow, Justin Ahearn and Rebecca Green. Musical director is the always superb, Michael Fauss, with perfect choreography by Penny Leto, and costumes by Leigh Hooten. This show runs Tues. thru Sat. until April 7th!!! This is a MUST on your to do list!!! It is a great show to take all your house guests to. You and they will LOVE it and you will thank me later! Call the box office NOW at 294-5015 or go online to www.waterfrontplayhouse.org to get tickets for this great show! The audience went home thoroughly entertained! You can spell THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!

TIX FOR BOBBY IN THE LOBBY FINAL SHOW OF SEASON APRIL 1 & 2…..There are still seats available for Bobby Nesbitt’s final show of the season, featuring the Oscar award-winning songs of JULE STYNE!!!! It will be presented on Sunday, April 1 and Monday, April 2. These evenings are pure magic as Bobby weaves stories of the composers and lyricists along with their amazing musical compositions. Performing with Bobby will be the always sensational Carmen Rodriguez and Broadway baby, Danny Weathers (artistic director of the Waterfront Playhouse!!!) Go to www.keystix.com or go to 295-7676 for ticket purchase. I guarantee that you will LOVE this show….Showtime is 8 pm at the Tennessee Williams Cabaret Theatre at FKCC! PLEASE NOTE…..If you hold table seats for these two shows, and are not able to come please let the box office know as they can resell those tickets.

JEAN OLSON NEEDS 2 TIX FOR BOBBY IN THE LOBBY, APRIL 1 OR 2… .If you have two tickets at a table, that you would like to sell, please call Jean Olson at 305-292-9359 ASAP! Thank you. You can also call Jimmy Olson at 401-439-7021.

MATCH AT RED BARN THRU APRIL 14….A gem of a show “Match” stars the marvelous Tommy Luna and features the luminous Amber McDonald and the handsome and talented, Brandon Beach. Joy Hawkins directed this hilarious, touching, very dear and heartwarming play….perfectly cast and beautifully acted. It is wonderful having Tom Luna back on the stage again. He was so fabulous in the Waterfront’s “Lend Me a Tenor” last season, and he shines in this production too! He had the audience in the palm of his hand and never let go! The opening night audience responded enthusiastically and really got caught up in all the goings on….quite a few varied emotions were expressed….laughter and tears….sadness and joy! You will not want to miss MATCH at the Red Barn. It runs Wed. thru Sat. until April 14. Call the box office at 296-9911 or go online to www.redbarntheatre.com for reservations! I congratulate Joy and this incredible cast!

PUN OF THE DAY…..Does the name “Pavlov” ring a bell?

SKIPPER KRIPITZ & BOBBY NESBITT AT SALUTE APRIL 5….This HOT duo entertains from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at Salute on the Beach….Every Thursday…..more seats and an hour extra for your convenience…..great music, food, drinks and then there’s that beach and that sunset! Dreamy!

TAP CLASS WITH TERRI WHITE APRIL 6 & 7 LAST TIMES…..Tappers unite!…at Body Zone South, on Friday at Noon and on Saturday at 11 am! These are the final two dates of Terri’s tap class, since she will be heading to star in FOLLIES in LA on April 12. Dance with the stars of the Broadway stage!

AT THE TROPIC THRU APRIL 5…..Coming: Friends with Kids….and We Need to Talk About Kevin…..Staying: Shame….A Separation….A Dangerous Method…..Last chance to see Albert Nobbs and Pina in 3D is Thursday, March 29!!!! Both are excellent!

HAPPY APRIL 1ST BIRTHDAY TO……LEE SKILLINGTON……MARY ELLEN LAPP!!!! (THEY ARE NOBODY’S APRIL FOOLS!!!!!)

ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST AT ST. MARY’S ON APRIL 1…..All invited to this monthly breakfast prepared by the Knights of Columbus…..8:30 to Noon….Delish cuisine….eggs, sausage, ham, grits, biscuits, pancakes, donuts, coffee, juices, bread…..the works…only $8.99 for adults….All proceeds go to support the school! In the Sacred Heart hall on Windsor Lane. ALL invited!

JAZZ BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SOLE ON APRIL 1…..From noon to 2 pm, it’s the sultry sounds of Libby York with pianist, Dom Carelli…1029 Southard St.

LENORE TROIA AT THE GARDENS ON APRIL 1….It’s Sunday jazz in the Gardens with KW favorite, Lenore Troia from 5:30 to 8:00 pm….She will also be there on April 8th!!!!! The Wine Gallery is open from 5 to 10 pm, Wednesday thru Sunday every week!

HANDEL’S MESSIAH …THE EASTER PORTION ON APRIL 1….Music in Paradise presents Handel’s lesser known East Messiah on Palm Sunday, April 1, under the baton of James Carter. 7 pm at St. Peter’s Church, 800 Center St. in OLD Town…..It will be performed by a community chorus and the music in Paradise Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Linda Sparks, artistic director. Performing will be Gayla Morgan as concert master on violin…Mayuko Mouri on digital basso continuo…Donna DeForest on flute…Patti Roman on violin…David Rickers on viola…Eva Hooten on cello and Sparks on organ and oboe. Others performing are Natalie Hendron, Melody Cooper, Gayla, and Sandy Walters…Katy Werner and John Rudolph. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Admission is $20 at the door or $10 with discount coupon available at MacArthur’s Music.

HEALTHY COOK-OFF ON APRIL 1ST….This is a benefit for Relay for Life….5 to 7 pm…at the BottleCap Lounge on Simonton & Catherine Sts….Beautiful, healthy and delish foods will be served and prepared by Relay for Life team members. Judges pay $10 in advance or $15 at the event, to sample all dishes and vote for your faves! ALL invited!

APRIL 1 AT THE PIER HOUSE….Larry starts at 7 pm and then will showcase the talented Mary Rademacher Reed at 9 PM in the Wine Galley at One Duval St. HEAD”S UP….Larry will showcase the fabulous VICKI ROUSH on April 22, at 9 PM….Vicki has been sorely missed on the entertainment circuit in Key West!!

SCHOONER WHARF ON APRIL 1….Noon to 5, Michael McCloud…..6:30 to 11 pm, The Doerfels!!! Magic from 9 to 1!

RED BARN SPECIAL SHOW ON APRIL 1,2,8 & 9……This show is called ‘CONCH COWBOYS & TALES OF OLD KEY WEST’ and stars PAUL COTTON…GEORGE HALORAN, TOM MURTHA, GARY MCDONALD AND JOHN WELLS…singing songs about the stories of Old Key West to tickle you from yer Stetson hat, right down to your Cowboy boots! Call 296- between 1 and 6 pm for tix or go to www.redbarntheatre.com.

HAPPY APRIL 2ND ANNIVERSARY TO…..LINDA AND FRED GREENBERG!!!!!

ALL KWAHS MUSEUMS CLOSED ON APRIL 2…..Ft. East Martell, the Custom House, & the KW Lighthouse will be closed for store inventories….will reopen at 9:30 on April 3.

PIER HOUSE JAZZ JAM ON APRIL 2…..Joining Larry Smith will be Peppy Pabon for Jazz Monday at 9 PM! All invited to join in the jamming ….. singers invited to participate.

SCHOONER WHARF ON APRIL 2….Noon to 5 pm, it’s Raven Cooper & Bubba LowNotes…7 to 11 pm, it’s The Real Malloys…9 pm till 1 am, it’s the Magic of Frank Everhart.

HAPPY APRIL 3RD BIRTHDAY TO……TOMMY WILSON!!!!!

AQUA IDOL ON APRIL 3RD…..There are some dandy contestants competing for the present Aqua Idol crown for the KW Business Guild…..Come one and all to hear these super vocalists….the emcee, Randy Thompson, and judges…. 6:30 PM, every Tuesday……fun and for a good cause every single week!!!!

WELCOME TO KEY WEST… We welcome good friends from Chippewa Lake, Ohio….the place we go to when we are not here….Robin Moodley and Randy Reams!!!!! So looking forward to seeing you very soon!!!!

DEBRA & PATRICK QUARTET AT VIRGILIO’S ON APRIL 3…..It’s the fabulous Debra & Patrick with Bubba LowNotes and Skipper Kripitz at 9 PM at Virgilio’s….time to dance the night away!!!

SCHOONER WHARF…..APRIL 3…From Noon to 5 pm, It’s Michael McCloud….7 to 11 pm, it’s Raven Cooper….9 to 1 am, it’s the Magic of Frank Everhart.

OTHER APRIL EVENTS COMING UP…MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!

GREGG MCGRADY ART EXHIBIT ON APRIL 6TH…..Man about town, Gregg McGrady, received a grant from the Anne McKee Artists Fund enabling him to create “Evolution of the Abstract Mind” a collection of abstract paintings to be shown at JOY GALLERY, 1124 Duval St., from 6 to 9 pm on April 6th! McGrady’s work is an emotional response to a recent experience….all his pieces are unique and open to interpretation. ALL are invited to this Free art exhibit and reception! Congrats to Gregg whose many talents never fail to amaze me! Did you ever see him dance?

COMEDY FESTIVAL ON APRIL 6 & 7….April 6th will be held at the Steel Horse Saloon at 511 Greene St.at 8 pm. On April 7, it will be at Ibis Bay Resort at 3101 N. Roosevelt. Super hilarious RICH VOS, as seen on Comedy Central, the Chappelle Show, HBO, and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, headlines this show. Personally, I LOVE standup, and we became big fans of Rich Vos when he appeared on Last Comic Standing….if you watched it, he was the comic who was always ironing!!! We have since seen him twice at Comedy Clubs and he is really funny….natch, we have tix for the April 6th show and cannot wait. We both really need a BIG laugh!!!! In addition to Vos, will be Key West’s own, Vinny K, and special emcee will be Rich Carruci straight from Jersey. Tix are $22.50 and are available at www.keystix.com. Call 748-7196 for more info or questions.

MIGRATION MANIA AT BOTANIC GARDE ON APRIL 7…..This event takes place at the KW Tropical Forest & Botanic Garden on Stock Island….10 am until 2 pm….Schedule of events is : 9:30 am, Early entrance (recommended!)…10 am, Gates Open…10:15 am…Egg Hunt for Ages 5 & Up…11 am…Egg Hunt for kids 5 and under… 12:30 pm…Egg Hunt for Ages 5 & Under….1:15 pm….Egg Hunt for ages 5 & up! There will be crafts, games, and more all through the day. Choose the Egg Hunt that suits your schedule!

KEY WEST CONTEMPORARY DANCE CO. ON APRIL 12,13,&14……This show is entitled 1969….and stars artistic director, Kyla Piscopink (just seen in Kiss Me Kate with the POPS!) and a troupe of fantastic dancers….Showtime is 8 pm at THE WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE. Call 294-5015 for tix or go to www.waterfrontplayhouse.org for tix NOW! Note that there is an evening show on April 14 PLUS a matinee at 3 pm….only on Sat., April 14!!!

THE REAL KW CONCH TRAIN TOUR ON APRIL 11…..This is a fun-filled event benefitting the Waterfront Playhouse….Hosted by Ron Maranian, one of Florida’s funniest comedians…..Start at 3 pm, with a cocktail at The Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St….then, board the Conch Train for the REAL tour….then return to the Gardens Hotel for another cocktail. Tickets are $60 and benefit the Waterfront Playhouse. Go to www.waterfrontplayhouse.org or call 294-5015 for more info or to reserve your space.

SERVICES, REVIEWS, AND MISC. INFO!!!!!

REVIEW ON NANCY 3 SHOW….Just a note to tell the world, that too many things were happening that night! We opted to go to see Nancy 3 Hoffman’s cabaret show at TSKW and it was a delight! Congrats to Nancy 3 and her creativity for coming up with a unique and original evening of musical entertainment. Adding to the delight was singer/actor Michael Mulligan who once again thrilled and wowed us with his wonderful voice and classy manner. We just do not see enough of the always fabulous Michael onstage in Key West. To complete this special evening were pianist, Michael Robinson plus Vickie Rosenblatt. It was an evening to remember! Sure wish I could be like the blessed Trinity….I would have also been at the TWT to see and hear the sold out, Woman’s Hope Concert, which I know was simply divine!!!! Congrats to Kim and the Woman’s Club for all that you do and raise for good causes in Key West!!!!

KW CONTEMPORARY DANCE CO. NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW…. Help for housing for a visiting dancer who will be performing with this premier dance company is needed from March 28 thru April 16. If you have a pool house, an apartment, a room in your home that you can spare for this period of time, please contact Kyla Piscopink ASAP! Your help is needed. Go to Kyla at kyla.piscopink@gmail.com to let her know that you can accommodate this dancer for that period of time. Thank you!

ART VIEWINGS IN YOUR HOME WITH SHAKTI ASSOULINE…THRU the end of MAY…..Local actress, who just starred in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” and “August: Osage County” at the Waterfront Playhouse, is also a private viewing Art Dealer, and worked at this in London for 2 years. Now, back in KW, she offers you this charming service! She comes into your home with over 30 original paintings by established and up-and-coming International artists. You have a great time, looking at galleries of work in various media, abstract and traditional pieces… in the comfort of your home, making it easy to match and compliment your décor. You can go to www.8artists.com to see some of these paintings. Or you can call the lovely Shakti at 394-4772 for an appointment to “see it all!” Look for more info on Shakti in Conch Color!!!!

AT TAVERN ‘N TOWN THIS WEEK…..Mon. from 5:30 to 9:30 it’s Michael Thomas….Tues. from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, it’s Carmen Rodriguez & Michael Thomas…Wed. from 5:30 to 9:30 it is either Rob DiStaci or Mike Emerson…Thurs. from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, it’s Carmen & Michael Thomas…On Fri. from 5:30 to 10:00 pm, it’s Mike Emerson…Sat., from 5:30 to 10:00 pm, it’s Bobby Nesbitt….and Sun. from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, it’s Rob DiStaci! Happy Hour is every day from 5 to 7 pm…all drinks…2 for 1… Special Tapas served on Tues. & Thurs…..Locals get a 10% discount always. The food and service are great…..super entertainment….this is fast becoming a Key West Favorite of everyone I know! Ric Palmer is the charming manager, and he is top drawer!

THE BUZZZ ON TV……Catch Those fab BUZZZ Babes every Tues. at 4pm at beautiful locations…..On Feb. 21, they will host the show at The Galleon on Front St…Taping is at 4 pm and all are invited. Catch it every Sat. & Sun. at 6:30 pm & Mon. at 7 pm on WEYW, Ch 87 and AT&TU-Verse Ch. 19….The Babes are Pamela Childs and Rhonda Florence!!!! For taping locations & dates go to The BUZZZ In the Keys on Facebook or call 295-6629.

SUPPORT DIABETES RESEARCH….THRU MARCH… Shop at Walgreens….they will be selling scannables at the register in the amounts of $1, $5, and $10. All proceeds support the Diabetes Research Institute. If you purchase a scannable each time you shop it will be added to a special wall in the store, encouraging others to join in the effort.

SASSY RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON IN APRIL…..Sassy Tuttle, he of the fab Cosmos at Lateda…..is training for the 2012 Boston Marathon for April 16. He has joined Team in Training a fund-raising program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a charity that has a special place in his heart. To support Sassy in this great cause, Sassy will be collecting donations in any amount….you can go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/boston12/sassyruns and donate easily online. He is accepting prayers and well-wishes so that he will make it across the finish line in one piece!

KEY WEST SINGING TELEGRAMS….Have a special occasion and you want something unique sent to that special someone? Birthday… Anniversary… Divorce… Promotion… bachelor/bachelorette… Milestone… or just for fun… Surprise & delight your family, or friend with a Singing Telegram! Choose from Queen Elizabeth, Charlie Chaplin, Voo-DooWanda…The Dude… Dominatrix…The Mail Lady… or Buxom Betty! Call Connie at 305-294-6813 for details and availability…..Rates start at only $75. By the way, I was recently at a fabulous party where Connie performed as Queen Elizabeth, and she was Fabulous! Everyone loved it! For something to make your party extra special Call CONNIE HURST!!!!!

JAZZ JAM AT THE GREEN PARROT….EVERY SUNDAY……This Jazz Jam will be from 1 to 4:30 pm, every Sunday during the season…..Musicians are Richard Crooks, Mike Emerson, and Tim McAlpine. You are asked to join in the jamming!

PRAYER CHAIN……Please continue to keep the following in your thoughts and prayers….. Karla Domski….Merle Hohman…..Nancy Stevens and Family….the family of Robert Zadkovich…..Lois Kline…Alan Ferguson….Ed Block…… Walter Lepperd….Pat West…Perry Jones….the family of Lynn Randolf…..John C…..Will Stephens…..Rob O’Neal….….Dan Cocco…… Lee Garrison…..Sharon Gillis….Marion DePiero…Mary Anne McGiven…..Brent Ramer….Richard Crooks…Carol Schenk….Stephen Elliott….Claire Carroll…. Jennifer O’Lear….Nancy Robinson…Sally Lewis….Patrick Richards……two very dear special friends who choose to remain anonymous….Remember… Prayer changes things!!!! Let me know if anyone should be added to this list…a family member or a friend going through tough times…or for any reason for that matter….Sometimes we pray for thanksgiving for favors granted….. We really are all in this thing called ‘Life” together.

AT AQUA NIGHTCLUB THIS WEEK….. Dueling Bartenders is every Monday and it packs em in! Starts at 5:30 pm, and the Dueling Singers are Randy Thompson and either Gassy Winds or Goddess….in full drag! They are all super vocalists!!!! On Tuesdays it’s Aqua Idol at 6:30 PM!!! The dynamite Aquanettes perform at 9 every night and an extra 11 pm show on Fri. & Sat. You do not want to miss the super entertainment at Aqua Lounge!!!!!!

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES….SIGN UP NOW…..The KW Library at 700 Fleming St. will offer free computer classes beginning in April. Starting Saturday, you can sign up for these classes. There will be classes on Thurs. from 9:45 to 11 am April 12, 19 & 26, and will cover word processing…how to create, edit & format a document. There will be Saturday classes, from 10 to 11 am on April 14, 21, & 28 for people new to computers. Call 292-3595 to sign up.

LATIN DANCE PARTY AT BOTTLECAP…EVERY FRIDAY….with DJay, JC…Latin Music…9 PM….DJ Music starts at 10 PM! 1128 Simonton St.

$25 BIRTHDAY BAR TAB AT THE BOTTLECAP GROOVE LOUNGE………. If you are at the BottleCap at 1128 Simonton St. on the exact day of your birthday, just show them a valid ID and receive a $25 bar tab and party favors too! (See your bartender for any restrictions.) Tell all your friends about this new great deal in town. Thanks again to Carolyn and Carmello!!!

Love to YOU…and Remember…Be always resolute with the present hour. Every moment is of infinite value!

Lynda

NANCY STEVENS
We go through life and meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends, but they say, you can count on one hand the people who mean the most in your life….In my life, Nancy Stevens was one of those people!  She was the sister I never had…..a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  Today we all mourn her passing….but we also celebrate her life.
The first time I ever laid eyes on Nancy Nowosielski was at a Jr. High dance at the University Settlement on Fleet Ave. I couldn’t help but notice this petite, darling girl…she seemed to be very popular and was an excellent dancer.  She also seemed to be very serious…didn’t smile a lot and seemed to be more mature than most of us who were there that night.
It was about a year later when I began my freshman year at St. Stanislaus, that I saw this girl again, and realized that she would be in my class…..me a girl from Transfiguration Elementary School….and Nancy from St. Stan’s.
As fate would have it, we became good friends. Our little group consisted of Maryann Krieger, Judy Gosiewski, Carol Wroblewski, Maryann Stanky, Nancy Nowosielski and me!  Through those four years of high school we had great times and shared special memories together.  Nancy began dating my brother Ed when she was a junior in high school.  They were married four years later. I was in their wedding party in April and Nancy was in Bob’s and mine the following August.
We were all excited when Nancy gave birth to the first Stevens baby, Sally….Mom, Dad, Fred, and Bob and I drove down to Corpus Christi,TX to meet the little princess and that began a love affair with Sally that we have till this day.
As young marrieds, raising children, we spent a lot of time together, sharing memories, growing closer and closer.  Mom and Dad bought a cottage at Chippewa Lake and we spent our summers there…15 of us staying all weekend… playing bridge, tennis, at the beach….those were great years that I will always treasure….memories to last a lifetime!
Long before Martha Stewart became a household name…Nancy was decorating, designing, baking, gardening, and cooking like no other.  She was artistic, accomplished at all needlework….could turn weeds into a beautiful floral arrangement….Every home she lived in was charming and beautifully decorated…..her gardens meticulous and her meals were memorable and beautifully presented.   It was no surprise that Nancy would become a floral designer extraordinaire!  For 25 years she was a designer at Bachelor Button and I know she was loved and is terribly missed by Mark and John and everyone there..
Nancy had a great sense of humor and a sense of the ridiculous.  I will never forget going to a movie with her…the theater was nearly empty.  We found our seats, and just as the movie was to begin, someone came into this empty theater, and chose a seat directly in front of her.  Her reaction was priceless…she looked at me and then laughed as only she could….and said “Who did I kill?”
Nancy was also one of those rare persons who would rather give than receive.  She loved to shop and loved the quest of finding the perfect gift for you.  She didn’t buy what she wanted…but what she knew would make you squeal with delight!  My most treasured presents are from her.  She found things that she knew I would love.  In my home, we have priceless things that Nancy found just for me and we shall treasure them always.  This past Christmas, as we opened the holiday decorations, box after box contained a Nancy memory….something she bought for me or created with her own hands…..now more meaningful than ever.  Nancy also sent gorgeous cards for all occasions….all keepers….I will miss receiving her always amazing Christmas cards….usually receiving multiples….a tradition begun by the Queen Mother, Adele…..making Christmas so extra special
When Nancy and Ed’s marriage ended, our relationship with her did not.  She was not only my sister-in-law, but one of my dearest friends….the godmother of our son, Rob….and a loving aunt to Melissa, our daughter.  She was also one of my mother’s best friends, and when Nancy bought a house, she bought one close to my mother.  When my mother passed away a year ago Sept. 30, it was Nancy who was with her, holding her hand at the end.
When Nancy’s illness was diagnosed, she handled the news with class and dignity.  Right after she found it out, we sat at the beach at Chippewa Lake and she shared that she accepted it…that she was ready for whatever would happen.  At that time, she imagined that she would undergo chemo or radiation or a special program the doctors had in mind.  She maintained her sense of humor and was able to laugh in spite of the seriousness of her illness.
After her surgery and the setback that followed, Nancy decided that she would not undergo any procedure….that she would let go and let God.  When Nancy made up her mind about something, that was that…Case Closed!  She shared that she was ready for whatever God had in store for her…that she was at peace with her decision….and she never looked back.  She wanted to spend what time she had left at Holy Family Center, and thankfully, she was able to get in right around Thanksgiving.  She handed everything over to Sally, her firstborn, and Sally took total control of the situation. Nancy shared that she did not know what she would do without Sally and Robert.  Because of the nature of the tumor that Nancy had, we knew her time was limited…..that barring a miracle, the tumor was fast growing and aggressive. So, just before Christmas, Bob and I flew in to Cleveland to visit with Nancy.  We wanted to make sure we saw her while she was still lucid and able to communicate.  It was a visit I will never forget.
I had a chance to share my heart with Nancy….to thank her for all the things she has done for me and how much she meant to me through all these years…..we shared stories and memories….I told her about how our home was decorated with all the wonderful things she gifted us with and created for us….She seemed overwhelmed that I was mentioning all these things….and she was amazed that I still had some of these things and displayed them every year.  Nancy loved baking Christmas cookies….and she told me that she felt bad that she couldn’t bake again this year.  What she did not know, and what I told her was that I had frozen one of the containers of cookies she baked last year, and that I had brought them out this year and they were still delicious.  She nearly fell off the bed, with this news.  She couldn’t believe it…and she had a good laugh.  I thanked her for always being there for me.  I told her that besides my mom and husband, she was the one person I could always count on.  She always had my back and was there for me when no one else was….loyal to a fault.  I told her that in all the years of our knowing each other, we never had an argument, and she marveled at that…and agreed that that was unique.  I thanked her for her children, Sally, Eddie and Jennifer…and commended her on being such a devoted mother to them.  I told her how much it meant to me that she loved Mom Adele so, and was there with her right to the end.  I told her how much I loved her and that I will miss her all the days of my life, and she said the same to me.
When I made my last visit to her, it seemed as if she was asleep.  I sat there awhile, and then started talking to her, telling her we would be leaving the next morning…and as I spoke she turned toward me and opened her eyes.  I took her hand and said…..”Nancy…what I am praying for is a miracle that this tumor would just disappear.  But, if that doesn’t happen, I am praying that you go peacefully and with no pain.”  She said that I should pray that she does not linger and that God takes her  quickly.”  I then said, “When the time comes and you go to heaven, would you please watch after me?”  She looked at me, squeezed my hand and said….”Lynda…I promise, I promise, I promise…I will always be there for your looking after you….I promise.”
Nancy always keeps her promises…..she is one person I can always count on….even in death, I know in my heart that she is there for me watching over me.
One more thing…..I like to think that as Nancy entered through those pearly gates…..she was greeted by my Mother and Father and my brother Fred, sitting and waiting for their fourth at the bridge table.

Presented by Lynda Frechette on Friday March 23, 2012 to honor Nancy Carol Stevens.