Reba was a very dear friend of mine. I got to
know her over the past few years after working with her at a local publishing
company. I have never known anyone with such a gentle spirit and yet a tenacity
for the well-being of animals. I, and all her animal friends, will miss her
dearly.
Annette Lozier
To my dear friend Reba (Rebecca)--
I will certainly miss your gentle spirit and sense of humor. The world was a
better place for animals and people because of you! I relied on your calm manner
in any situation. You always seemed to understand--what a great listener! Thank
you for what you gave to me.
With much love,
Mary Hughes
Rebecca was one of the sweetest and
dearest persons I've ever known. We became instant friends many years ago when
we worked together at Community Communications. Several of us who worked
together even formed our own little group and named ourselves the "Coosa County
Campfire Crackers". We got together to celebrate birthdays, Christmas and
whenever we needed a "cracker" fix to just be with friends. Rebecca had a
tremendous love for animals of all kinds. She will be truly missed by everyone.
God Bless her.
Candy Strickland
Rebecca: Not many know that our
acquaintenance actually started pre-shelter, when I was working at the Museum of
Fine Arts. But it was those yard sales that firmed up our friendship with our
love of recycling (and a great bargain)! It didn't take long to determine that
you were special - small in stature, but big in heart. Your spirit will be with
me always and you will be missed by all your human and animal friends. You truly
will always be one of a kind. Until we meet again, I will miss you my friend,
but you will remain close to my heart.
Rita Caswell (Ratso, Sissy, Rambo, and Gadget)
Rebecca was (or IS, as she lives on
in me and all of us) such a beautiful gentle soul, quick to smile, and quietly
seeing the truth beneath the surface. Her bohemian humor was akin to mine and we
shared so many laughs and turns of phrases as we worked through the process of
designing flyers and brochures for the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Rebecca
became my friend over the course of those 15 or more years. We exchanged many
ornaments (she gave me stars and I gave her dogs and cats) during the winter
holidays, and she gave my baby the best stuffed animal ever- a squirrel with a
big fluffy tail, which we still have today, 9 years later. Oh, what an
inspiration for loving, for looking, for waiting to judge, for responding with
clarity and kindness. Yes, she lives on in so many heartfelt lessons she has
taught me. I hope I can be a conduit for her beautiful presence in some worthy
way. I extend my love to her family that loves her so.
Tara Cady Sartorius
Rebecca truly made this world a
better place - made such a beautiful difference in the lives of all who knew
her-people and animal friends alike. She was a giver, a gift and a blessing; I
smile as I quote Paul in Phillippians... "I thank my God upon every remembrance
of you." Phil. 1:3
Bonnie Harris
Rebecca had freelanced for our
company before I started. She taught me so much about graphic design and layout.
She was always patient and understanding. She was one of the most dependable
people that I've ever worked with and the type of person we all need to strive
to be like. Thanks Rebecca, just for being you.
Connie Westover
God Bless all you have done for the
humane shelter, Rebecca. We know he had a special calling for you, a special
need. Thanks again!
Leigh Graham
Rebecca was one of the sweetest,
most giving people I have known.Always cheerful, she gave her time, her
expertise, and Heaven knows what else to help the animals and to help those who
wanted to do the same.
I first met Rebecca at the Pammpurred Pet. I was volunteering with a struggling
humane society from another county. Laura and Russ allowed us to bring our pets
for adoption. Some people would have tried to find homes only for the ones from
their shelter. Rebecca helped everybody. It was the need of the animal, not the
group, that mattered.
Later she brought me a complete packet of information on how to become
incorporated, which we did. Her business card has remained on my home bulletin
board all these years.
I realized that I had not seen her at PetsMart recently, but had no idea she was
sick. She never mentioned it. I would have told her goodbye.
What will happen to her pets?
Sadly,
Sandra Tindoll
Sweet Rebecca,
Although we haven’t seen each other in years, you will live on in my heart
forever. I always looked forward to your annual Christmas cards with puppy paw
stamps and your beautiful handwriting.
I remember years ago when we worked together at BASS, one year at Halloween your
costume was an animal skin and you lay down in the front lobby to protest all of
the trophy animals there. We all loved you sense of humor and admired your sense
of justice.
There are many stories and memories we share. When I heard of your passing I
told my daughter Grace every story I could think of about you, there were many
including the baby shower you gave me when I was pregnant with Grace many years
ago.
Rebecca, I have never met a kinder more gentle person, it is an honor to have
known and loved you. May you rest in peace in the beautiful blue skies and the
vast oceans.
Love, Susan Hulme
For Rebecca
With kindness, grace, wisdom and wit, you have changed so many lives for the
better.
I love you always and all ways,
Amy Newell
Rebecca,
Thank you for being such a kind and generous person. It is with admiration that
I remember you. Your talent and dedication is an inspiration to all.
Ramona Lavoie
The laying to rest of someone you
care about is never easy. And when that someone was someone that shined brightly
in a world crammed full of people, as one of the extraordinary ones, it is even
harder to do. To know that her cockeyed smile and her get-it-done attitude will
never be seen again is almost enough to make the heavens weep, though I guess in
her case they would weep tears of joy, at their gain and our loss. Rebecca was
a savior for many, many animals, a champion in their corner that they could
count on, but even more than that she was a champion of people too. She did not
give up on someone just because they were different or even when they made her
mad, she had a big heart and an even bigger aptitude to forgive and to move
forward. When it came to rolling up her sleeves and getting dirty she was always
the first in there, board member or not, she was never about the prestige of
being on the board, but about what her being there could do to help the animals.
She shoveled poop, slung a hammer and hauled water right along with the rest of
us. She never thought about the work but about the end results. Her beautiful
smile, her infectious laugh, her ability to see beyond the current situation was
what made her unique and someone that we will miss for a very long time.
Sunday when all the characters got there, dog and human, I could almost hear
Rebecca laughing when a couple of the smaller dogs added their voices to the
priest's words. He might not have know Rebecca like we did, but those little
four legged fans, sure did. She always had a kind word and a pat on the head
for all of them and their little voices that day reminded me that even in
serious moments she could find a reason to laugh. She did not bemoan her fate,
but instead tried to protect her friends and family from what she knew was
coming. Brave and thinking of others even in the end, that was Rebecca. As
tears rolled down my cheek, I could not help thinking that she would have loved
this memorial, not because she was vain or even cared that we honor her in some
way. No she would have loved it for the sunshine outside, the smell of the pine
trees in the air, the waggle of happy little dog tails, the shimmer of the lake
in the background, the blessing of the priest as each little dog came forward to
receive his graces, the comfortable pine floor, the open-air church, the
worshiping in nature, of man and beast. This day, this service, much like I
imagine God intended it to be, much like it must have been in the old days, when
man did not segregate himself from all of God's other creatures, but shared his
life and worship with one and all. She would have loved the purity
of it all and the love there.
Although we have never been close, with your living in Alabama and mine in
Pennsylvania, I never guessed you had that dreaded disease until last year. I
know your parents never wanted to have the family worry, but we could have
expressed some concerns and prayers for your recovery. We now know that you are
pain free and are "up there somewhere" knowing we all loved you with all our
hearts. We remain here on earth supporting all the organizations you so dearly
loved. Our love for your family will never leave and you will always be
remembered as a great niece and wonderful daughter and wife.
Love always and forever,
Your Aunt Ruth
What a wonderful, relaxing,
comforting person you were to me. I was blessed just by meeting you when we
began the "Drawdown" and being on the Shelter Board with you. So many great
people doing wonderful work and you were at the top. You will be missed by so
many. My prayers for your family.
Bettye Mendez
Rebecca,
Your friendship is what got me involved in the Elmore County Humane Shelter. You
and I always agreed....We do it for the animals. You listened to my ideas &
concerns. Thank you for that. I know everyone will miss your smile & loving
ways! I will always remember you , and thank God for letting our paths meet in
this lifetime. I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day. As you told me
near the end of your days here...."God has a Plan". I can see you loving on HIS
beautiful creatures in heaven now!! Until then.....I Miss and Love You Friend!
Charline (Charlie) Pope
Dear Beck,
As I sit, smiling when I read all the wonderful things written by all the
special people you surrounded yourself with, it helps me know how very loved you
were. It was so hard to say good bye to you when you left and is still so very
hard to do now. I look through all the photos I took of our family and yours
with all the assorted critters you always had running around the house and smile
there too. But in the quieter times I miss picking up the phone and speaking to
you or sending an e mail. I talk to you out loud or in my mind all the time, but
I REALLY miss your physical presence. Being a sister without her sister is a
hard thing to accomplish, but I am trying.
I am so happy the pain is over for you and I do feel your spirit and energy all
around me so much that I KNOW you are still affecting things. It is just the
physical self that is having the hardest time accepting that you are gone.
Mom & Dad are getting through the loss as best as they can, one little step at a
time. I know we will get to a happier and lighter place eventually, but for now
we miss you a whole lot.
If anyone has any stories they would like to share and want to contact me please
do at catmeldo@yahoo.com
I LOVE you always Barky.......my dear sweet li'l seester.
Mel (Meowl)
Melissa Hockman-Thorpe
I was stunned to hear of Rebecca's
passing. I happened to visit this site today after tragically losing a puppy
last night ... my first thought was of Rebecca. Back at CCI, she used to send me
emails about all the wonderful dogs that needed homes ... she just didn't have
room in her home for all of them, but she certainly had room in her heart.
I'll never forget "happydogs" ... Rebecca was such a ray of sunshine ... I know
her beautiful, vibrant spirit is shining down on us now.
Angela (Johnson) Kirby
I saw Rebecca, on more than one
occasion at the shelter. To those who new who better, and longer than I did. She
always had a pleasant smile, and was so kind to me. I am sorry for her passing,
and did not know of her illness. Reading what friends have shared, thinking
back. She was always helpful, and with a friendly smile. I know you all miss
her. I wish I could of had the opportunity to know Rebecca better, and spend
more time with her. I love all types of animals, also. To her family, I send my
condolences.
.
.OO..
..OO..
