Shipmaven's Obituary

Charles

Captain Weather
Weekend Open House

Hi folks,

I reserved this nice place on Oahu in Hawaii to have our celebration of Mary Ann.

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Please come as you are. And, pets are welcome. We have food and drink available. So, just let me know what you'd like, and I'll be right over.

As we've been saying all week, Mary Ann was a very special person. And she touched each one of us in a special way. Let's be glad that we had the opportunity to know her, and bask in the warmth of her memory. Please feel to share your thoughts. Or to just come, relax, and be among friends whom she has touched. And if you have any pictures, please share.

I'll start with a double cc and soda. I am so glad Mary Ann was part of my life.

Charles
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Re: Weekend Open House

What a beautiful place to honor Mary Ann.

I was so looking forward to meeting her this summer.

I'll have a double Grey Goose on the rocks please. Thank you.
 

Snowblower

2nd Officer
Re: Weekend Open House

Charles,

Today is just another tough day of many this week. I sit here blankly staring out into space trying to figure out why this has happened while attempting to write Mary Ann’s eulogy for next Friday’s service. Jean and Ellen are devastated. Judi and Mike can hardly talk. I have spent more time with Bob and Sheryl this week than worked. My wife Deb cries on my shoulder. Its unbelievable how one woman can touch all our lives in such a passionate way. I haven’t posted much this week because I am really having a hard time facing reality.

Thanks Charles for starting this thread. Although I usually came here to see Mary Ann on Saturdays and have a drink I just don’t feel in the sprit today. Only hugs and remembrances seem appropriate for a day like this. So again, thanks for all your work.

As for all of my Cruise Addict friends I just want to leave you with something from me. Many don’t know how close I was to Mary Ann. She was a queen to me and a big part of my family. For as long as I live, Mary Ann shall live too. She will always be a part of me and my life. I look at Mary Ann’s life as a gift from god and now he wants her back. We all must remember that the most beautiful things in life can’t be seen or touched, but are felt in our hearts. Yes, we should mourn the passing of Mary Ann but not because she is gone but because she has touched so many of us in so many beautiful ways. God speed to a very beautiful lady, she will be truly missed.

Thank you Bob, Sheryl, Judi & Mike and my wife Deb for all your support during this difficult time.
 

nieciez

Staff Captain
Community Sponsor
Re: Weekend Open House

We all must remember that the most beautiful things in life can’t be seen or touched, but are felt in our hearts. Yes, we should mourn the passing of Mary Ann but not because she is gone but because she has touched so many of us in so many beautiful ways.

Very nicely said Mike! :doubleup:

I will have a glass of champaige in honor of Mary Ann. She was a class act and is so very much missed.

I do not have a picture of Mary Annr but I would like to share a picture of Louie and Georgie wearing the coat and sweater she sent them as a gift...each got both a coat and sweater. They love to wear them. Once again Thank You Mary Ann for all you did for us here on C@.

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Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Re: Weekend Open House

I remember a thread when some of us were talking about the Queen Elizabeth -- she posted a picture of herself with her parents on the stairs -- can't find that thread.

I just finished polishing the creamer that I bought when items went on sale from the Queen Elizabeth. Who knows -- maybe her parents may have used the one I have.

 

Donna - dsw

Staff Captain
Re: Weekend Open House

I nver had the pleasure to meet her in person - but as many - she emailed me many times - talking about various things - mostly cruising and trying to get on a "Duck" cruise.

It is amazing how many foks she touched and how many considered her a good friend!

I include the photo she used as an avator - that is how many of us knew it was her!

Gone from here to start her cruise elsewhwere - RIP

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KathyC

Staff Captain
Re: Weekend Open House

Charles you picked the perfect location. As others have said, I never met or talked to Mary Ann. However, when I struggled thru some of Mike's health issues she offered words of comfort & wisdom.

And of course, she was always ready to help those of us who have not cruised that much with answers to our questions. I will miss her.

Thank you Charles, for having this open house. I like to think that she is talking cruises with our other cruise addict members like Mariposa & Hucc & others who left our family way too soon.
 

connie seabee

Staff Captain
Community Sponsor
Re: Weekend Open House

Charles what a wonderful choice for today venue. Most of all Thank You for this thread in honor of our dear friend Maryann. I have had the pleasure of speaking with her on the phone a few times, and shared many of E-mails. She and I had a prayer chain that we shared. To me Maryann is a queen and she will never be forgotten. I just have a hard time excepting that she is gone. However, my pain is nothing compared to those here who are family to her. Prayers and hugs to Mal, Judi, Bob, Sheryl, and snowblower and Deb. my heart hurts for all of you.

Lets all raise our glass in honor of our lovely Shipmaven aka Maryann.
 
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Charles

Captain Weather
Re: Weekend Open House

Donna, may I get you something to drink or eat? I believe I saw some freshly made brownies. Yes, we all recognized MA from Pucci's pic. I've been thinking about borrowing Little Woof and add him to my signature.

Nieciez what a great pic of the Louie and Georgie!

Mike, I suspect there will be quite a few group hugs today. We all could use some. (((Mike)))

I have a double grey goose for Yonnie, and champaign for Nieciez.

And that creamer Yonnie, who knows.

c
 

Charles

Captain Weather
Re: Weekend Open House

Connie and Kathy, very nice words. What may I bring you?

c
 

Calgon1

Awaiting results of mental evaluation
Re: Weekend Open House

* sigh *

Where to begin? For Pat and I, it was shortly after our first cruise (together), in March of 2000. For the life of me, I can't place it, but ws back in the earlier C@ days. Before "The Crash". We had just "discovered" Holland America and I was doing my usual, over the top, babbling. Post after post. Before I knew it, Mary Ann had found (another) kindred spirit and (althougC we didn't know it, two more D.I.T.s were hatched! With hundreds, if not thousands of postings, our friendship was forged in iron.

We booked many cruises through Mary Ann, but it wasn't until September, 2009, that we finally managed to break our calendars open when there was a Duck Cruise. At one point, I referred to Mary Ann as "Queen Quack". She laughed and said, "Well then, I suppose that would make you my court jester, wouldn't it?"

While I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Queen-Jester role, and all the silliness that goes with being a member of the Duck Crew, it was getting to know Mary Ann that was the greatest gift. Over time, directly and indirectly, Pat and I came to realize just how absolutely caring, generous and unselfish this lady is. True, she did not suffer fools lightly, but she (thankfully) did distinguish between fools and class-clowns.

The acts of kindness she effected, the hearts she has touched, and the spirits she has lifted are beyond measure.

I've said (posted) it before; but, "
Thank you God for sharing your beautiful child with us. Event though the time was too short, we will always to keep her memory going. The years will pass, voices may fade and even recall eventually fails. But, even then, Mary Ann F. Rizzo will live"

Now, I'll step down from the pulpit, dry my eyes (yet again) and offer a toast,

Ladies and Gentlemen; Drakes and Hens, D.I.T.s, and all ...
Please raise your glasses high ...

"Here's to us; and those like us ... Damned few left ... TO MARY ANN !"

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Charles

Captain Weather
Re: Weekend Open House

Cheers, Calgon!

c
 

Funnel

Food and Beverage Manager- Special Contributor
Re: Weekend Open House

Beautiful location, Charles! Very appropriate for celebrating Mary Ann.
I'll have glass of Champagne in a honor of Mary Ann.

As already been said it has been a tough week. Mary Ann will forever live in our hearts but I will really miss her posts here at C@.
She is a big reason that I started to post in this forum, and I am very happy for that as it means that I have learnt to know so many great people here at C@! I have also met 3 C@'s so far (Christoffer, Joanne and Mark) and will hopefully meet many more C@'s during the group cruise from New Orleans next year.

Thank you Mary Ann and Thank you all my friends here at C@!

When I joined C@ my first post was in the intruductions forum and Mary Ann and I had a long "conversation" about almost everything. This is a photo that Mary Ann posted in that thread. It's from one of her favourite cruise destinations, Alaska (Sawyer Glacier).

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I brought some barbecued meat for this Open House. I have some potato gratin to go with that. One part of the gratin contains garlic, the other not as Mary Ann was not fond of garlic.

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Of course Molle is joining me today as usual on the Open House. Woof!

Thank you for this Open House, Charles! You have done a great job during the Open Houses as bartender.
I hope we will be able to have some kind of get together during the weekends in the future too. I am sure Mary Ann would have liked that.

/Erik
 

Mal D. Olive

Never met an olive I didn't like
Re: Weekend Open House

Thank you Charles for paying honor to our Dear Friend by hosting this today.
As many of you know it has been a long while since I have been posting and not for any particular reason, I just sort of drifted away from it. I just needed to though recently, as I am drawn here to find some comfort and fill a void that seems to be endless. I can not express it any better than Mike already has. We will miss our Dear Mary Ann, in so many ways that it can not be described.

I’ll toast to our sweet lady with my signature, as she would have wanted.

Vodka Martini….Extra Dry….with Extra Olives please!
 

Charles

Captain Weather
Re: Weekend Open House

Hi Erik! And a big HI to Molle WOOF!

Champaign coming right up. And, should we keep the tradition of one for each leg? Well, in that case, here's another.

c

and thanks for the barbecued meat.
 
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connie seabee

Staff Captain
Community Sponsor
Re: Weekend Open House

Charles may I have a glass of Pinot Grigio. This is such a wonderful way to celebrate the life and memory of our dear friend Maryann.

Calgon, so very wonderfully well said, and now please pass the kleenex.

Erik. your food looks yummy.
 

Lurline63

Staff Captain
Re: Weekend Open House

Charles, thank you for finding such a beautiful location for Open House. It's absolutely perfect!

Like most of us, I met Mary Ann on cruise-addicts. I had been a member for a couple of years, yet we grew closer in 2002, when I was planning a transatlantic crossing on QE2. Although she was not my travel agent at the time, she helped me with cabin choices, dining, and other aspects. She discovered that I had a love for ocean liners, and our conversations grew to incorporate this shared interest. I was thrilled to meet someone so knowledgeable, and who had actually sailed on these beauties. From here, a beautiful friendship developed, and she became family.

The photo below shows the first time we met Mary Ann in person, which was back in October 2003. After having lunch, we walked to one of the vendor stands nearby, and she offered to purchase something for PizzaBoy. He chose a SpongeBob balloon. Well, this was the first of many SpongeBob gifts she purchased for him over the years. Looking around, I see a SpongeBob radio, CD player, pillow, and even a sleeping bag.

PA250303.jpg (Click to enlarge photo)

My last communication with Mary Ann was on March 11, when I emailed her moments after PizzaBoy was awarded his gold medal for bowling in Special Olympics. I attached a photo. She wrote back instantly, stating that this made her day. I noticed later that she posted this good news in one of her updates on cruise-addicts. She was so proud of him...she referred to him as her nephew. (In fact, Mary Ann was the first person with whom I shared this news.)

I see that Mary Ann has left the most perfect blend of Earl Grey for me to enjoy at this Open House. Rest in peace, dear friend. We all love you.
 
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Charles

Captain Weather
Re: Weekend Open House

Of course Dot. And Welcome!

c
 

Funnel

Food and Beverage Manager- Special Contributor
Re: Weekend Open House

Hi Erik! And a big HI to Molle WOOF!

Champaign coming right up. And, should we keep the tradition of one for each leg? Well, in that case, here's another.

c

and thanks for the barbecued meat.

Thanks Charles! Of course one for each leg otherwise there will be a problem with the balance...

/Erik
 
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