Deanne, my friend (written by Rebecca G.)

 Dear Deanne (written by Rebecca G.)

 Deanne, bottom row, center, with our friend group, The Mac Girls, at Homecoming, 2013.

Dear Deanne,

You were one of a kind, my friend.

I met you in college, and we were different in SO many ways. But somehow that never got in the way of becoming fast friends.

You were the calmest, most focused listener and advisor when I needed you, but also the life of the party. Most of my college memories involve us laughing til we cried. We studied hard. We played often.

We were friends turned family. When the military moved you to the Phillipines, it was YOU who wrote all of us stateside and telling us how we should be getting together more often because you saw the privilege we didn't see yet.

You tried to keep us close, even half-way around the world.

When I started my business, you were my biggest cheerleader. You were the one who loved to talk careers, shop-talk, so to speak. 

When cancer became part of your world, you showed us how to live gracefully with the enemy. In no time, you crushed chemo and showed no evidence of disease. Even though your cancer was aggressive, you totally handled it the way you lived life: you ain't got no time for BS.

You chose to live life to its fullest. You called me one day to tell me you were channeling your inner hippie and announced you bought a guitar and were signing up for lessons. You traveled with your family, and passed your wisdom to your children. You spent girls weekends with us, and the first thing you did (even before you poured a glass of wine) was become wig and bra free! 

Best friend, brilliant business woman, trail blazer, pioneer, unrealized comedian . . . Deanne, you are so missed. You live on in the hearts and minds of your college friends, and we are forever changed because you are one of us. I know you are in heaven spreading your love to all who need it.

Miss you forever,

Becky

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