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In Memory of Luci Bianchi
September 25, 1950 - September 21, 1999
Luci went into the hospital September 7, 1999 for gastric bypass surgery, and never awakened from the anesthesia. She died from complications from the surgery on September 21, 1999.
I first met Luci Bianchi when I signed her guestbook in June of 1999. I found her link just surfing the web. Most of the time, if people acknowledge that you've signed their guestbook at all, it's just a quick note to say thank you. If you really hit it off, you might exchange a few additional emails, before you go your separate ways. Not Luci! She was a woman completely open to friendship, and who took a genuine interest in the people she met. We began an email correspondence. In early August, she mentioned that it would be fun to ICQ each other. I thought it was a great idea, so we added each other to our contact lists.
After that, we ICQ'd each other frequently, and became closer friends. I was really struck with what a warm, friendly personality she had. She was someone who was just a lot of fun to talk to. She loved to joke around.
I remember the time that she was able to help me with my web page. I had her visit it about four times in one night, to see whether or not she could load it. Now, I'm sure she didn't log on to the internet that night so that she could load and reload my page all night! But Luci was always easy-going and good-natured, and she was more than happy to help out a friend in need.
I had no idea that Luci had touched so many lives on the internet, until she didn't awaken from the anesthesia after her surgery. She had gone into the hospital for a gastric bypass - a stomach stapling procedure, in other words. Although I kept her in my prayers, as I would any friend going in for surgery, it never occurred to me that something might go wrong. I hadn't heard from her in over a week, and began to worry. She had mentioned that she posted on The Cat's Meow Bulletin Board, so I went there to find out what was going on with her, if anything. That was when I learned that she was in a coma. I also learned that she had many, possibly hundreds, of friends on the internet. This is a woman who touched many lives, and we are all the better for it.
I don't know if Luci knew how valued and how loved she was here in cyberspace. People who were lucky enough to know her all thought the world of her. Her loss on September 21, 1999, when she passed peacefully in her sleep, has left an ache in all of our hearts. Luci welcomed everyone she met with warmth, compassion, and humor. I had not known her long, but I had known her long enough to know what a special person she was, and had been looking forward to getting to know her even better. Now that will have to wait until until the day when it's time for us to meet again.
Luci leaves behind, in addition to all of her family members, her 15 year old kitty, Pepper. I wanted to do something special to honor Luci's memory in some way, so I had the image made into a globe by LJ Designs. If you have a memorial page for Luci on your site, please feel free to use it.
Pepper was truly loved, and she will be well-cared for by Luci's brother, Mike, until she and Luci can be together again.
The Lighthouse of the World
The lighthouse stands on a lonely shore
Shedding a ray in the night:
Ships that are passing keep a close watch
And follow the beam of light.
God is the lighthouse of the world
Shining by day and by night.
Not just a ray to keep you from harm
But a bright eternal light.
For the sailor the light shines just for him
And points the way to the sea;
God's light keeps shining for everyone
And for all eternity.
~Ruth Moyer Gilmour
I Am Not There
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Author Unknown
Here are other pages dedicated to Luci:
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A Memorial Page For Luci
