At the beginning of this month, I received word that a dear and most darling friend of mine had left this earthly life.
My friend Tiffany was part of a large group of friends in high school that would consistently hang out every weekend. She was known for her intelligence and her drive to be the best at what she did. She was also known for big hair and wearing red. :)
While high school was all fun and games, her adulthood was somewhat challenging for her. She endured it as best as she could.
This is a picture of us in the recording studio at Magic Mountain. It was pouring rain outside, so to keep warm we decided we would cut a record. LOL We sang "Lean On Me". I cannot hear that song without hearing these amazing friends singing with me. (Mark Hunsaker, Brian Carroll, Mikie Lyster, Angela Poole, me, Marlane Clegg, Heather Crone, and Tiffany Nielson)
I can't say that I was so great at keeping in touch with her over these last few years and for that I will always be remorseful. She will forever be in my heart as a dear friend.
These are some friends from high school that were able to attend the funeral. It was good to see them, but we sure wish it was under different circumstances. Her memorial was beautiful. Two of her sisters spoke and two beautiful musical numbers (including her brother in law) "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" (which is a favorite of mine) and "How Great Thou Art" were shared. Her brother in law also put together a moving slide show of pictures of Tiffany's life. All you could hear were sniffles throughout the chapel. Of course the meeting closed with "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", which I absolutely love, but can barely sing, for obvious reasons.
The funeral took place in Corona, California and the internment was at Olivewood Memorial Park in Riverside, where she is buried next to her husband and love of her life... Ryan Norman.
With help from some of my friends we have started a blog to honor our sweet friend. Hopefully we will be adding many more of her living memories soon.
Love you Tiff.
That was so sweet Christine. You are such a great friend to all and I'm sure you knew how much you cared about her. Love you!
Posted by: Kate | June 25, 2009 at 10:54 AM
What a sweet post. Laura told me what a hard funeral it was to attend. I wish I could have driven down with you and Marlane. My heart is so sad for what she must have been suffering all these years and how hard this must be on her family. I miss you. Let's try a July date. :)
Posted by: Shel | June 26, 2009 at 12:08 AM
I don't know if you remember, but your great and great great grandparents are buried at Olivewood. Was wondering if you had time to visit while you were there?
Posted by: Aunt Mer | June 26, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Oh my...I am so sorry. I remember her. I will check out the blog you started.
Posted by: sharla | June 30, 2009 at 07:10 PM
That was a super sweet post. It was so nice that you could be at the services for Tiffany. We will always remember her and all of the good times we had together.
Posted by: Angela | July 09, 2009 at 08:53 PM