Sunday, September 22, 2024

Celebrating Gigi

DEBORAH CROMBIE:  As some of you here on the blog may know, my dear friend, and a regular member of our Jungle Red community, Gigi Norwood, died unexpectedly on September 3rd. 


Gigi and I had been friends for thirty years. Her late husband, Warren Norwood, was my writing teacher when I was struggling with those early drafts of what would become A SHARE IN DEATH.  I met Gigi through Warren, but she was a writer as well. For quite a few years we were part of the same writer's group. We met up in Fort Worth in those days, as it was the midway point between where I lived and where Gigi and Warren lived, west of Fort Worth. After Warren passed away in 2005, Gigi decided she needed to be closer to her new job in Dallas, and that she needed a nearby support system. Eventually, she found a house only two blocks from us in McKinney. I can only hope I provided the support system--she was certainly mine.

She got me hooked on fountain pens and leather journals. I got her hooked on the British ballroom dancing show Strictly Come Dancing, and the local bakery, where we had a standing date every Sunday morning. (We called it our "church.") Along with the addiction to pens and journals, Gigi gave me a number of books on "how to improve your handwriting," but I'm afraid the advice didn't take!

Gigi was passionate about music, and she loved her job as Operations Manager for the Dallas Winds. Nothing delighted her more than introducing someone to an artist she admired--just this time last year she took me to my first Keb' Mo' concert. She loved cars, too, especially her Ford Mustang, and I was always her car-shopping ridealong (and enabler.) This was the day she bought her first Mustang, encouraged by me! (Another would follow.)




Last year she added a Bronco Sport (keeping the current Mustang!) and was doing her best to convince me to follow suit. 

But more than anything, she loved her dogs and cats, especially her beloved border collies, and gave much time and energy to our local border collie rescue groups. She fostered dogs, and I couldn't begin to count the number of dogs that passed through her care and went on to find loving homes with adopters.

We talked every day, trading book chat and gossip, writing critiques and political opinions, but also the sort of boring everyday stuff that forms the backbone of a friendship. 

You may remember that Gigi was not only a regular commenter here on Jungle Red but was also a guest several times on the blog. She was a talented writer (as G. S. Norwood) in many genres, but it was her Deep Ellum novellas that I loved the most. After she died, it was a few days before I realized to my dismay that there would be no more Ms. Eddy stories.

She had so many plans for her recent retirement. Quilting, house projects, gardening (we shared the love of antique roses and native plants), but top of her list was spending more time on her stories and novels, and working with her sister Jan Gephardt on the publishing company they started together, Weird Sisters Publishing

She loved art and tea and handmade pottery--oh, so much pottery! If there was an award for number of mugs owned, Gigi would have won it! I did manage to sneak in one piece of English porcelain, the Emma Bridgewater Bonfire Night mug I gave her for her birthday last year. (She shared her birthday with Guy Fawkes night.) And if you knew her, you'll have an idea how delighted she was that her birthday was going to fall on election day this year!

Gigi was such a big part of my life that it will be a long time before a day goes by that I don't think of her dozens of times. She will be missed on so many days, in so many ways, not just by me and by her family, but by all the many, many people whose lives she touched with her warmth, wit, and generousity. 

I count us lucky, here on Jungle Red, to have shared in a bit of it.



99 comments:

  1. Such sad news, Debs . . . our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gigi's family, her friends, and her many readers . . . .

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    1. Thank you, Joan! I know they will appreciated your condolences, too.

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  2. I had missed the news, but I'm very sorry to hear this. Thanks for sharing this lovely tribute.

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  3. So sorry for your loss. Some friends become like family, and she sounds like that kind of friend. As you were for her, I'm sure. I agree this was a lovely tribute - and I think it will bring you solace each time you read it. It's a way to keep her near. Again, my condolences.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. It helped me to write this, I'm sure, and looking for the photos brought back some lovely memories.

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  4. Sorry for your loss. This is a lovely tribute to a wonderful person. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I'm dumbfounded, Debs. I did not know Gigi had died, but I should have noticed her absence here in our commenter community, and I'm so very sorry you have lost your good friend. As others above said, today's post is the loveliest of tributes. I'm sending you hugs and deep sympathy.

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    1. Thanks so much, Edith. It seems like you two would have been friends. I know she enjoyed your books!

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  6. I'm so sorry you have lost such a dear friend. They are special and so difficult to find AND then to lose. {{hugs}}

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  7. Like others, I missed Gigi’s comments here, but did not know of her death. I had trouble navigating a link to one of her special concerts. She took great care in helping me find the way. Cherish your days with her, Deborah. May this Sunday morning find you on your way to pastry and gentle memories. Elisabeth

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! She was so generous, and she loved sharing music with friends!

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  8. What very sad news for this community and what a huge loss for you, Debs. I am very sorry. Your tribute to Gigi is lovely. I send you love.

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    1. Gigi's sister Jan has written about her here: https://weirdsisterspublishing.com/index.php/2024/09/18/unfinished-stories/

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    2. thanks for sharing that link, Amanda, Gigi's sister has written a fascinating tribute. What a mystifying and brutal loss...

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    3. Thanks, Amanda. Am off to read it.

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    4. Thanks for sharing this, Amanda. I hadn't seen it. I'll be sending Jan the link to this post as well. Out of all of Gigi's finished novels, Wrong Way Riley is my favorite. Jan is right--it's definitely women's fiction rather than romance (although there is love story.) I hope Jan can publish it. The unfinished Deep Ellum story really breaks my heart.

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  9. I hadn't known of Gigi's death before reading this post. My condolences to you Deb on the loss of your friend. And to those family and friends of Gigi's, my condolences to all of you as well.

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    1. Thank you, Jay. I know she always got a kick out your comments here. I think you two would have gotten along great!

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  10. Oh Deborah, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. May her memory be a blessing.

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  11. Deborah ~ I keep trying to find the right words to express my condolences. I must have typed and deleted my thoughts a dozen times. It's clear that your friendship with and love for your dear friend runs very deep and your grief is so painful. This is when love hurts the most...when we lose someone who means so much to us and all the connections we have with that person suddenly comes to an end. The sadness is overwhelming. I'm not sure how long it took you to write the above tribute about Gigi but please know that when I finished reading it I felt as if I knew her, too. What an honor to have been part of such a special friendship and thankfully your memories will always find a home in your heart where you can "visit" and "talk" to your friend forever. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I hope this circle of readers brings you some sense of support and caring as well.

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    1. Thank you, Evelyn, for your thoughtful condolences. It did take me a while to write this, but I'd been thinking about it for the last couple of weeks. I hope I gave a little sense of Gigi to readers who didn't know her.

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  12. Debs, as everyone has said, this is a lovely tribute. This is truly a time when someone's memory will be a blessing.

    My friendship with Gigi was completely electronic. We never met in person though I hoped to one day. It's funny how you can tell, even just from posts and messages, that a person is someone you want to know better. You are lucky to have had her as a dear friend for over 30 years.
    Sending hugs.

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    1. You would really have liked one another, Judy. I'm glad you got to know her through the Reds and Facebook, and I know she really appreciated your kindness after her accident. Hugs.

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  13. I’m so sorry for your loss Debs. I felt your friendship through your interactions here over the years. And now with this lovely tribute. My thoughts are with you on this Sunday.
    Danielle

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    1. Thank you, Danielle. Two of our friends went with me to the bakery last Sunday, so I didn't have to brave that alone, but I went on my own this morning.

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  14. Sorry for the loss of your dear friend Gigi, Deb. That is a very big hole in your life now. It sounds as if you have many happy memories of her.

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  15. Debs, that is the loveliest tribute ever. You were lucky to be her friend, and she, yours. And oh those dogs, how terribly sad that their champion is gone. Thanks for sharing Gigi with us. xoxo

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  16. I’m so sorry for your loss, Debs. Gigi sounds like a wonderful person. What happened to the critters in the pics with her? I know they are mourning, too, and hope they have found loving homes.

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    1. Cathy, Gigi's sister, Jan, took the oldest dog, Kata, who is now adjusting to life in her new home in Kansas City. We took the older of the two cats, Ella, and are slowly introducing her to the household here. Ella is fifteen, the last of the barn cats Gigi brought from her old home west of Fort Worth, but she is very spry and is an absolute love. At least with us! We'll see how it goes with the other two cats. (Our German shepherd is afraid of her, lol, so they will be fine-))
      The trainer who was boarding the dogs after Gigi's accident is going to foster Slater, the border collie, and hopes to find him a good home eventually in the border collie community. (They are border collie people.) Slater is only three and with a little more training will make someone a great dog. The biggest challenge has been Flynn, the fourteen-month-old husky puppy. He's a gorgeous, sweet dog, but is going to take an experienced owner with a lot of energy. I think this weekend he had a "sleepover" with some of the trainer's neighbors who are interested--fingers crossed.
      That leaves the younger cat, Gift, the one in the photo I posted. Gigi adopted her on Bouchercon weekend in 2019 (some of you may have met Gigi here in Dallas that weekend. It was her first Bouchercon.) Gift is incredibly shy and no one has been able to catch a glimpse of her. I go over every day to put out food and water, so know she's eating and drinking, but she will not come out. Gigi's sister intends to take her to Kansas City at some point, but it's going to be a process.

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    2. That’s when I met Gigi en face, but I felt like I’d known her for years. She’s left a Gigi sized hole in my heart. And that’s nothing to compare to your loss. Xo

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  17. I'm so sorry that the world has lost Gigi, Deb. When I found her name at this site years ago, I looked her up since we share the same last name. I wanted to get in touch with her, but was too shy. I'm sorry I missed that opportunity. And I'm so sorry you have lost a very dear friend. Your lovely tribute describes a soul sister friend as well as a fellow writer. It can't get any better than that. I'm' sure you will hold her in your heart forever.

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    1. Lorraine, I'm so sorry you didn't reach out to her! She would have loved it. Gigi bought the original artwork for the map in The Sound of Broken Glass because she loved the Norwood reference in it!

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  18. DEBS: So sorry to hear about Gigi's sudden passing. Lovely tribute.

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  19. I'm so sorry to hear this. I love your tribute to Gigi. It sounds as though you had a wonderful, supportive, fun friendship. When loved ones die unexpectedly, it's such a shock and leaves a huge hole. I too lost a long time friend unexpectedly about 10 days ago. I still can't quite get my head around the fact that she's no longer in this world.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss, Gillian! Hugs to you and your friend's family.
      Unexpected death is such a shock, and so traumatic for everyone. At least we (hopefully) have got most of the animals placed, as that has been the most urgent concern. Dealing with all the logistics and practical matters puts off grief for a while, but the loss is now really starting to sink in.

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    2. Gillian, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I, too, know how that feels. Sending sincere condolences from across the miles.

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  20. I am sorry for your loss. Good friends are gifts in our lives. She sounded like a very special person. Please take good care of yourself while you begin the long process of adjusting to life without her here.

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  21. What a beautiful tribute Debs. I didn't know her but after reading about her she'd be the perfect friend. I'm so sorry for your and her families loss.

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  22. Oh Debs, I only wish I could have known Gigi better, too. She was special in so many ways and your friendship precious. It's the kind of thing that matters more and more as the years go on. Thank you for posting this.

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    1. Yes, the friendships matter enormously, and we should all tend them!

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  23. Oh, Debs, I am so very sorry. Gigi was such a huge part of the Reds. Your essay is a wonderful tribute. Big hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Kait. She'd been so busy in the last couple of months leading up to retirement that she hadn't posted much in the comments, but she was reading every day.

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  24. What a beautiful tribute. My sympathies to you and her family. Please remember to give yourself grace as you navigate this loss.

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  25. Debs, I am sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to her family and friends. I remember her comments here on Jungle Reds and I remember her guest posts. What a beautiful tribute to Gigi. Too young. Sending virtual hugs.

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  26. Debs, I’m so sorry for your loss. A couple of days ago I realized that I hadn’t seen her here on JRW for quite awhile. This morning when I saw her name in your blog post, I thought you were going to announce a new book from her. You and Gigi’s family will be in my prayers.

    DebRo

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    1. Thanks, Deb. The unfinished books and stories are a real loss to everyone. She was such a talented writer, but she also had a very demanding job and it was difficult to give writing as much time as she would have liked. She was so looking forward to writing in retirement. It was to have been a new chapter.

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  27. Such a loss, dear friend. And your love and sorrow are so apparent in this page of wonderful memories. You both were lucky to have had each other. Thank you for sharing this—and Gigi— with us.

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  28. Deborah, my heart goes out to you and Gigi's family. I so enjoyed 'meeting' Gigi through JRW--getting to know her through you and her posts and her guest blogs. Writing, quilting, border collies?? Cats?? My kind of people! It was obvious the two of you shared a deep friendship. Sending hugs as well.

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    1. Flora, you two would have liked each other a lot. Soul sisters, I expect. I'm sorry you didn't have a chance to know her better.

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  29. What a huge loss for you, Debs. I knew from your posts you and Gigi were very close friends. Thanks for sharing more of the backstory so we can all better understand your relationship.

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    1. Thank you, Emily. I knew that regular blog readers would know that we were friends, but not what our connections were. She was my writing buddy and first reader, too. That's a gap that will be very hard to fill.

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  30. I just want to thank my Jungle Red sisters for their support. We seven are so fortunate to have each other!

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  31. I'm so sorry, Debs. Losing a good friend is hard enough, but in someone who shares your writing life, it , is a special loss. She sounds like a wonderful person and you'll think of her every time you use one of your beautiful pens, I'm sure.

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    1. Absolutely, Susan. I can totally blame Gigi for the pens! It was her husband, Warren, who started the pen mania. I suspect that sharing the pen interest with me helped her a little bit after Warren died.

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  32. Thank you for letting me get to know Gigi better, Debs, and see her as you saw her. You make her sound like a terrific friend. I'm sad for you that you've lost her. Close friends are so precious.

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  33. What a lovely tribute, Debs. Good friends are the sisters we never had

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  34. Deborah, I knew Gigi had died as I followed her author page. She was a wonderful person and great friend to you. I was hoping the animals were finding homes. Take care of yourself. There are really no words that express your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in your memories of your friendship.

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  35. I was so shocked when you wrote on Gigi's Facebook page that she had died. I only knew Gigi through those Facebook posts and knew she really loved her animals. And her job. I hope you have been to your bakery recently and enjoyed a cuppa in her honor.

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  36. I met Gigi through Jungle Red and continued to chat with her on Facebook. I was shocked (painfully so) when you posted on her page that she had passed. Your life was woven together with her at such a deep loving level I can only guess at your sense of loss. I'm so sorry. It is fitting that you posted the picture of Gigi sitting with Gift on her lap. Gigi was that, a gift to anyone who was fortunate enough to know her, even if it was just on Facebook. Thank you for such a lovely tribute.

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  37. What a shock, and such a tragedy so soon after her retirement. Debs, my greatest condolences for the sudden loss of your dear friend. That leaves such a hole in your life, I know. Big hugs.

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  38. My condolences, Deb. Gigi sounds like she was a great friend.

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  39. I am so sorry to hear the news about Gigi. You and she were like sisters of the heart. I enjoyed her comments on the blog, her book recommendations, and her eclectic tastes in music. I met her at the Dallas Bouchercon in 2019 and complimented her on how articulate her blog posts were, not realizing that, heck, she's a writer! My heartfelt condolences to you, Debs.

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  40. So sorry to hear this. I enjoyed her posts opening a window onto the world of music, which I found fascinating. Thank you for sharing these additional memories to make us all smile.

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  41. May her memory be for a blessing!

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  42. I'm so sorry for your loss, Debs. Gigi was so kind and supportive to all of the Reds. I appreciated her wit and wisdom and will sorely miss her presence in our community.

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  43. Debs, I am so sorry for your loss of such a good friend. Your tribute is beautiful. I will be reaching out to my longtime friends today to let them know how much they mean to me. Sending you big, virtual hugs. — Pat S

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  44. Debs, when I read the news of Gigi's passing you posted on her page, I was completely stunned and more than a little angry that another person whose presence benefited this earth and its people (and animals) had been taken from us. Gigi and my Kevin should both still be here, making the world a better place. Unfortunately, I can imagine how deeply you are grieving, as losing your "person" cuts as deep as it goes. That you and Gigi were a daily part of each other's lives and did so much together makes my heart hurt so much for you. I loved reading about Gigi's dogs and her love for all animals. I can't help thinking about her sweet dogs and cats missing her. I never met Gigi, but I felt like I knew her, as she was such a positive force and affected me that way. I knew that she genuinely cared about my life even without a face-to-face. Her energy reached far and wide. Your tribute here is just so lovely and Gigi-worthy. I am so sad for you, Debs, and I wish I could help you with the awful journey of grief, but I know it's a solitary journey and will be with you in some ways always. I am available for bouts of ugly crying and railing against the world at her absence if you need someone to listen. Just know that I am on-call 24-7.

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    1. So sorry you lost your dear friend Deb. Your tribute was lovely and I am glad you have so many precious memories of her.

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  46. Lovely, Deb. Hope Gigi has WiFi whoever she is. I’d hate for her to miss this beautiful tribute.
    She was great fun to know and I’ll miss her, already do. 😘

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    1. Ann, you made me snort. I love the idea of Gigi having wifi, wherever she is. She would love that, too!!

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  47. So very sorry for the loss of Gigi. The world needs a lot more like her. Kate Ohno

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  48. Our friends get us through life. Gigi's and your friendship stories you chronicled here always made me smile as they reminds me of my own dear friends. Such a loss to you, and my deepest sympathy Deborah.

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  49. Thanks so much for the kind comments, everyone. They are very much appreciated!

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  50. thank you for sharing

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  51. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm sure she's tickled by this lovely tribute.

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  52. "...but also the boring everyday stuff that makes up the backbone of friendship..." The heart of a true friendship ...deepest sympathies to you and all who knew and loved her...

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  53. Thank you for this beautiful post. We both shared midnight chats from time to time. She will be missed. If you need someone to sit quietly with let me know.

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  54. Thank you for this beautiful post. We both shared midnight chats from time to time. She will be missed. If you need someone to sit quietly with let me know.

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  55. What a beautiful tribute to Gigi, capturing her spirit, generosity, and the impact she had on so many lives. Her passion and friendship will surely be missed, but her memory will continue to inspire those who knew her.

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  57. So very so for your loss.

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