My Best Friend's Mom

Jessie is a lady that I have admired for over 25 years. She is now at the final days in her life having lived her life pretty much on her own terms.

I am extremely fortunate to have two of her painting hanging in my house. She painted trees, all sorts of trees, and the two I have I count among my most valuable possessions, you know the kind that if there was afire, they are the first things to save, right after family and pets. Jessie introduced me to the Arts community in San Diego early on and I will be forever grateful for that. Jessie was very involved with the San Diego Arts Institute where she showcased her paintings. We had fun when in the early days of the now famous "Christmas on the Prado" I helped together with my friend support the Art Institute food stand in the Balboa Park.

Because of her involvement in a local Unitarian Church, I learned about the Unitarian community where I found a non-religious way to find one's own spiritual center.

Jessie survived several bouts with cancer, and although she was frail, she met these challenges without complaints and always in a matter of fact way. And with a sense of humor!

One thing that always amazed me was that Jessie lost her son, my friend's brother, when he was just entering college, and that somehow she managed to keep going. He died in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. I can't begin to imagine how you keep going, as she did, after that.

So, Jessie, thank you for your inspiration to pursue what you love to do, to survive tragedy and to overcome obstacles with dignity and constant sense of humor.