We have wonderful memories of Frank and Vera and the sailing trips we enjoyed together. Once while we were "aground", Vera and Frank stayed with us until help arrived. That was their generous spirit. We also played in a bridge club with them . Such sweet, gentle, special people they were. We will keep them close to our hearts forever.
Love, Marianne and Mal King
We vividly recall the twenty plus years of fun and frolic we spent exploring the many wonders of Florida by sailboat, canoe,bicycles, amusement parks, etc . The Cape Coral Sailing Club was the central hub of most activities and the Foulke's were pretty much involved in all aspects of the club. At least once a year we did the infamous 4-6 hour canoe trip on the Peace River where we out-stared alligators, turtles, racoons, etc and sometimes managed to paddle backwards (not intentionally)under the railroad bridge, sang songs while someone played a guitar or harmonica. and played games like password, Stink Pinky, etc. Sometimes we had a BB cookout where we turned the canoes in, and other times we met at the great Thirsty's pub in Cape coral where we sang many famous ditties while someone played the old upright piano and we drank beer and had Thirsty's famous grub like coconut shrimp, frog legs, etc.That came to an inglorious ending when Yvonne insisted that non Sailing Club members who were drinking at the bar standup when patriotic music was played.
Also, once a year we made the leisurely four day sail trip to St Pete where we stayed at the plush St Pete yacht club where we partied in style and enjoyed the fun places in the area. V and F were generous in lending us the use of their folding bikes which were great for local exploring. Sometimes Madaline and Jim Holmes used them and sometimes we (Flo and Shel) also got bikes to go along. Both going and returning from St Pete we had great boat raft=ups each night with lots of boat hopping, reading poetry, star watching, etc etc. We pretty much explored most of Florida's bays and rivers and some of the boats made yearly trips to the Bahamas, and some all the way to Long Island, etc.The club always had parties for special holidays like Halloween where we came in custom and had prizes for the best outfits. Vera and Frank sailed in their forty-something ft sailboat named the Vera Crews which was very impressive looking as they came barreling into the anchorage under sail. Frank liked to tell how they radioed into one marina to have a slip ready for the Vera Crews which caused a lot of excitement as the marina thought it was the 100 or so ft commercial boat also named the Vera Crews. On one occasion while in route to the East Coast, Vera Crews rafted up to our Zephyr for a few hours and we were riding out a pretty stiff breeze. When we broke up the raft, my anchor was buried half way to China and I thought I would never get it free. Once my water pump went out near Venice and Frank spent several hours getting the associated plumbing apart to be replaced while Jim Holmes and I used those great little bikes to find needed supplies at a hardware store in Venice.
Cheers from Flo and Shel
OUR JOURNEY WITH VERA,DEARA
We first met Vera and Frank at a Mental Health Association Christmas party in 1967. Vera then became one of the original volunteers for counseling offices in loaned space in Sunday school classrooms at Unity Village. She worked on the “BUY A BRICK” campaign to build the mental health center in Lee’s Summit which is now called ReDiscover and sees 600 clients a day.
We enjoyed many parties at their home at Lake Lotawana including being called at 1:00 AM to drive out and see her Night Blooming Cereus and of course we did it! Vera and Frank got delight in celebrating events with rhymes and you were honored to have one written for you! When Vera and Frank moved to Florida we ended up with their dog Muffin. When they decided to live on their sailboat (in and out of Coconut Grove) for 6 years, we visited them and enjoyed many sailing club cruises and yacht club parties. When they moved to Cape Coral, we made visits and one winter rented a house right across the street from them on a canal. At 12:00 to the melody of “IT’S HOWDY DOODY TIME” one could hear Vera’s sweet voice singing ‘IT’S BLOODY MARY TIME. IT’S BLOODY MARY TIME.” Ralph and I were with them when they sold their home in Cape Coral and helped pack for the move to the condo. What a view! We kept in touch by phone and saw them on their visits to Glen and Lori’s home.
Our last visit with Vera and Frank was our visit to the Palms of Fort Meyers as they prepared for the move there. Vera was a Soul Mate. It didn’t matter the time or distance between us, we just picked up where we were. We loved her dearly. Truly a GREAT friend. We have one of her paintings and she and Frank gave us a beautiful PINK(of course) Rose of Sharon bush when we moved to our new home. These will serve as loving visual reminders of our years of friendship.
We are grateful for being a part of her life. Until we meet again, Vera Deara, SAIL ON!
With Love,
Shirley and Ralph Fearon
Oh, Vera, of the loving, generous heart. We first met when, new to Missouri and eager to find playmates for my children, I attended the Unitarian Church in Kansas City. Vera, who was in charge of the kindergarten class that day, greeted me at the door. Before I could finish my explanation, Vera had invited my children and me to her daughter Lisa’s fifth birthday party the next week. It was the start of a friendship that has nourished me for forty-five years.
Dear weeping Vera, so easily moved to tears — by joy, by sorrow, but most often when trying to tell a favorite joke. Whatever did happen to that little old man who was obsessed by the beauty of the breasts of the young woman he passed every day on his way to the post office? I’ve heard Vera try to tell that story so many times. I’ve never heard her get beyond the part where the old fellow starts to negotiate for a chance to touch the enchanted bosom. Then she would begin to laugh until tears streamed down her cheeks. She wept, she giggled, she gasped for air. And we all laughed with her, so hard that it’s good she never got to the end of her tale, because it just is not possible that we would have had half as much fun as we had laughing with her on journey to the finish.
A lot has happened since I first met Vera, but nothing, not even death, can weaken the bond I feel with her. It has survived geographic separation and the kinds of life changes that we endure when the stretch of time approaches half a century. Vera knew even the darkest secrets of my soul. And she loved me anyhow. She once sent me a card about friendship in which she defined it as a gathering of both grain and chaff in one’s hand and having the wisdom to let the chaff be lifted away by the wind. She knew the worst, but saw only the best. How many people are lucky enough to have had such a friend? I suspect that all who knew Vera have been blessed at one time or another with this measure of love.
It’s hard to imagine the world without Vera in it. Happily, I don’t have to. Vera will always be part of my life. Her presence is too strong to let something as little understood as death rob me of my delight in her wit, her compassion, her love of family and friends, and her absolute inability to get to end of a joke without laughing so hard that her intended audience is left to assume a punch-line too grand for words.
Heather Remoff
Dear Lisa....
When I saw you, your mom and Frank at the Bank of America some time ago, I was shocked to learn how ill your mom was, and my heart hurt for all of you. I was further saddened to hear how quickly she had gone downhill, and then passed away. I am SO terribly sorry for your loss. My late husband, Gene, and I sailed with them, and truly enjoyed your mom's quick wit, and creative mind. We read some of her stories, and were amazed at how deftly she could put her imaginative skills into her writings. We loved her warm smile, and gracious, welcoming ways.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Lisa...
Love,
Annette Roeckers
I came into the Foulke "sphere" in 1992. Since Lisa was unmarried starting her thirties, Vera was, as any mom of that era would, starting to get a little nervous about her prospects. As things became more serious, Vera was ecstatic and proclaimed "Two arms, two legs, a job, WE LOVE HIM!" This was my indoctrination to the family in which Vera was the anchor. She was the planner, the organizer, the communicator and always kept things humming along. She was very efficient, in fact we often referred to her affectionately as Sarge when she would sick to a plan and force march us around. At the same time she was always happy and extremely positive, and that's what made the difference. While she had her own strong opinions and was always at the center of the Foulke family "discussions", she was loving and excepting of others - she had to be to accept me!
She showed me, both explicitly and implicitly, tremendous warmth and love over the last twenty years. I'll always be able to remember Vera because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. It's the flip side to the old saying, if you want to see what your wife will be like later in life, just look at her mother -and in this case, that's a wonderful thought!
Alex Pline
My Sweet Mother Vera
My memories of my mother always start with her sparkling smile and her easy laugh – and nearly constant, somewhat warbly singing. I have to say my mind’s eye always pictures her at a party with a cocktail of some sort. When thinking of how to capture the essence of my mother I keep thinking about those BASF commercials. You know, those “We didn’t invent the light bulb, but we made it brighter” ads? That was Vera. She was often in a supporting role, but she made every event and organization she participated in more vital and more joyful. She was a happy soul who enjoyed spreading joy to others.
My fondest memories of childhood were sitting around the table at meals doubled over with laughter. As my mother would tell it, it would often start with some lame attempt on my part to tell a joke. Glenn, Mom, and Dad would then try to explain to me why my joke wasn’t funny. By the time we were done, it was hilarious and no one was quite sure why! I remember my childhood as nothing short of perfect in the happy home she created.
She loved a good party, moderately raunchy jokes, funny stories and interesting people. When I first moved out East, I took her to one of DC’s long-standing Chinese restaurants called “Big Wong”. What pops out of her mouth? “AH, Big Wong hung low!” Mom, really! My 20-something ears!
As is obvious in the name of their boat, she also loved puns. The Captain and First Mate of the Vera Crews had a grand old time naming the rest of the boat: The dinghy was the Frankie Rows, the galley was the Vera Stews. There is a raunchier one I’ll leave to your imagination… When we were all sailing against each other in Butterflies at the lake, the boats were Papa Fly, Mama Fly, Baby Fly, and Barfly (Glenn!).
My mother often jokingly criticized me for taking the worst of their gene pool instead of the best. While I will own up to that on some traits (such as incessant, warbly singing that drives my girls mad), I hope that I will keep the best of Vera alive: seeing the best in others, being kind and having faith in our fellow man, firing off impassioned letters or pleas to correct an injustice, and an unconditional love for my children.
We will miss you Vera – life of the party, heart of our family, light of our lives.
Lisa Foulke Pline
Dear Lisa and Glenn-
We vividly recall the twenty plus years of fun and frolic we spent exploring the many wonders of Florida by sailboat, canoe,bicycles, amusement parks, etc . The Cape Coral Sailing Club was the central hub of most activities and the Foulke's were pretty much involved in all aspects of the club. At least once a year we did the infamous 4-6 hour canoe trip on the Peace River where we out-stared alligators, turtles, racoons, etc and sometimes managed to paddle backwards (not intentionally)under the railroad bridge, sang songs while someone played a guitar or harmonica. and played games like password, Stink Pinky, etc. Sometimes we had a BB cookout where we turned the canoes in, and other times we met at the great Thirsty's pub in Cape coral where we sang many famous ditties while someone played the old upright piano and we drank beer and had Thirsty's famous grub like coconut shrimp, frog legs, etc.That came to an inglorious ending when Yvonne insisted that non Sailing Club members who were drinking at the bar standup when patriotic music was played.
Also, once a year we made the leisurely four day sail trip to St Pete where we stayed at the plush St Pete yacht club where we partied in style and enjoyed the fun places in the area. V and F were generous in lending us the use of their folding bikes which were great for local exploring. Sometimes Madaline and Jim Holmes used them and sometimes we (Flo and Shel) also got bikes to go along. Both going and returning from St Pete we had great boat raft=ups each night with lots of boat hopping, reading poetry, star watching, etc etc. We pretty much explored most of Florida's bays and rivers and some of the boats made yearly trips to the Bahamas, and some all the way to Long Island, etc.The club always had parties for special holidays like Halloween where we came in custom and had prizes for the best outfits. Vera and Frank sailed in their forty-something ft sailboat named the Vera Crews which was very impressive looking as they came barreling into the anchorage under sail. Frank liked to tell how they radioed into one marina to have a slip ready for the Vera Crews which caused a lot of excitement as the marina thought it was the 100 or so ft commercial boat also named the Vera Crews. On one occasion while in route to the East Coast, Vera Crews rafted up to our Zephyr for a few hours and we were riding out a pretty stiff breeze. When we broke up the raft, my anchor was buried half way to China and I thought I would never get it free. Once my water pump went out near Venice and Frank spent several hours getting the associated plumbing apart to be replaced while Jim Holmes and I used those great little bikes to find needed supplies at a hardware store in Venice.
Now that our sailing days are about over (luckily our son has a
sailboat on the Potomac) we consider ourselves lucky to have all those
great memories of sailing with Vera and Frank and the rest of the gang. Frank, we know it's going to be rough without your long term first mate
but think of how lucky we are to have had such great times together. We
just can't have a Bloody Mary without a few verses of that off key
spirit enhancing "Bloody Mary" song.
Cheers from Flo and Shel
OUR JOURNEY WITH VERA,DEARA
We first met Vera and Frank at a Mental Health Association Christmas party in 1967. Vera then became one of the original volunteers for counseling offices in loaned space in Sunday school classrooms at Unity Village. She worked on the “BUY A BRICK” campaign to build the mental health center in Lee’s Summit which is now called ReDiscover and sees 600 clients a day.
We enjoyed many parties at their home at Lake Lotawana including being called at 1:00 AM to drive out and see her Night Blooming Cereus and of course we did it! Vera and Frank got delight in celebrating events with rhymes and you were honored to have one written for you! When Vera and Frank moved to Florida we ended up with their dog Muffin. When they decided to live on their sailboat (in and out of Coconut Grove) for 6 years, we visited them and enjoyed many sailing club cruises and yacht club parties. When they moved to Cape Coral, we made visits and one winter rented a house right across the street from them on a canal. At 12:00 to the melody of “IT’S HOWDY DOODY TIME” one could hear Vera’s sweet voice singing ‘IT’S BLOODY MARY TIME. IT’S BLOODY MARY TIME.” Ralph and I were with them when they sold their home in Cape Coral and helped pack for the move to the condo. What a view! We kept in touch by phone and saw them on their visits to Glen and Lori’s home.
Our last visit with Vera and Frank was our visit to the Palms of Fort Meyers as they prepared for the move there. Vera was a Soul Mate. It didn’t matter the time or distance between us, we just picked up where we were. We loved her dearly. Truly a GREAT friend. We have one of her paintings and she and Frank gave us a beautiful PINK(of course) Rose of Sharon bush when we moved to our new home. These will serve as loving visual reminders of our years of friendship.
We are grateful for being a part of her life. Until we meet again, Vera Deara, SAIL ON!
With Love,
Shirley and Ralph Fearon
Oh, Vera, of the loving, generous heart. We first met when, new to Missouri and eager to find playmates for my children, I attended the Unitarian Church in Kansas City. Vera, who was in charge of the kindergarten class that day, greeted me at the door. Before I could finish my explanation, Vera had invited my children and me to her daughter Lisa’s fifth birthday party the next week. It was the start of a friendship that has nourished me for forty-five years.
Dear weeping Vera, so easily moved to tears — by joy, by sorrow, but most often when trying to tell a favorite joke. Whatever did happen to that little old man who was obsessed by the beauty of the breasts of the young woman he passed every day on his way to the post office? I’ve heard Vera try to tell that story so many times. I’ve never heard her get beyond the part where the old fellow starts to negotiate for a chance to touch the enchanted bosom. Then she would begin to laugh until tears streamed down her cheeks. She wept, she giggled, she gasped for air. And we all laughed with her, so hard that it’s good she never got to the end of her tale, because it just is not possible that we would have had half as much fun as we had laughing with her on journey to the finish.
A lot has happened since I first met Vera, but nothing, not even death, can weaken the bond I feel with her. It has survived geographic separation and the kinds of life changes that we endure when the stretch of time approaches half a century. Vera knew even the darkest secrets of my soul. And she loved me anyhow. She once sent me a card about friendship in which she defined it as a gathering of both grain and chaff in one’s hand and having the wisdom to let the chaff be lifted away by the wind. She knew the worst, but saw only the best. How many people are lucky enough to have had such a friend? I suspect that all who knew Vera have been blessed at one time or another with this measure of love.
It’s hard to imagine the world without Vera in it. Happily, I don’t have to. Vera will always be part of my life. Her presence is too strong to let something as little understood as death rob me of my delight in her wit, her compassion, her love of family and friends, and her absolute inability to get to end of a joke without laughing so hard that her intended audience is left to assume a punch-line too grand for words.
Heather Remoff
Dear Lisa....
When I saw you, your mom and Frank at the Bank of America some time ago, I was shocked to learn how ill your mom was, and my heart hurt for all of you. I was further saddened to hear how quickly she had gone downhill, and then passed away. I am SO terribly sorry for your loss. My late husband, Gene, and I sailed with them, and truly enjoyed your mom's quick wit, and creative mind. We read some of her stories, and were amazed at how deftly she could put her imaginative skills into her writings. We loved her warm smile, and gracious, welcoming ways.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Lisa...
Love,
Annette Roeckers
I came into the Foulke "sphere" in 1992. Since Lisa was unmarried starting her thirties, Vera was, as any mom of that era would, starting to get a little nervous about her prospects. As things became more serious, Vera was ecstatic and proclaimed "Two arms, two legs, a job, WE LOVE HIM!" This was my indoctrination to the family in which Vera was the anchor. She was the planner, the organizer, the communicator and always kept things humming along. She was very efficient, in fact we often referred to her affectionately as Sarge when she would sick to a plan and force march us around. At the same time she was always happy and extremely positive, and that's what made the difference. While she had her own strong opinions and was always at the center of the Foulke family "discussions", she was loving and excepting of others - she had to be to accept me!
She showed me, both explicitly and implicitly, tremendous warmth and love over the last twenty years. I'll always be able to remember Vera because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. It's the flip side to the old saying, if you want to see what your wife will be like later in life, just look at her mother -and in this case, that's a wonderful thought!
Alex Pline
My Sweet Mother Vera
My memories of my mother always start with her sparkling smile and her easy laugh – and nearly constant, somewhat warbly singing. I have to say my mind’s eye always pictures her at a party with a cocktail of some sort. When thinking of how to capture the essence of my mother I keep thinking about those BASF commercials. You know, those “We didn’t invent the light bulb, but we made it brighter” ads? That was Vera. She was often in a supporting role, but she made every event and organization she participated in more vital and more joyful. She was a happy soul who enjoyed spreading joy to others.
My fondest memories of childhood were sitting around the table at meals doubled over with laughter. As my mother would tell it, it would often start with some lame attempt on my part to tell a joke. Glenn, Mom, and Dad would then try to explain to me why my joke wasn’t funny. By the time we were done, it was hilarious and no one was quite sure why! I remember my childhood as nothing short of perfect in the happy home she created.
She loved a good party, moderately raunchy jokes, funny stories and interesting people. When I first moved out East, I took her to one of DC’s long-standing Chinese restaurants called “Big Wong”. What pops out of her mouth? “AH, Big Wong hung low!” Mom, really! My 20-something ears!
As is obvious in the name of their boat, she also loved puns. The Captain and First Mate of the Vera Crews had a grand old time naming the rest of the boat: The dinghy was the Frankie Rows, the galley was the Vera Stews. There is a raunchier one I’ll leave to your imagination… When we were all sailing against each other in Butterflies at the lake, the boats were Papa Fly, Mama Fly, Baby Fly, and Barfly (Glenn!).
My mother often jokingly criticized me for taking the worst of their gene pool instead of the best. While I will own up to that on some traits (such as incessant, warbly singing that drives my girls mad), I hope that I will keep the best of Vera alive: seeing the best in others, being kind and having faith in our fellow man, firing off impassioned letters or pleas to correct an injustice, and an unconditional love for my children.
We will miss you Vera – life of the party, heart of our family, light of our lives.
Lisa Foulke Pline
Dear Lisa and Glenn-
Thinking of you both and your father. Hope your mother is resting without pain. I'm writing my contribution to the Vera Stories Diary!
My favorite memory of your mother is a party we attended at your home one summer in the 70's at Lake "Lotawater." She had this beautiful long summer gown on and appeared to be wearing gold sandals only to find out it was a braided foot sandal with no sole to it. They were all the rage that summer and of course my mother and I had to have a pair. It was also the night that I was introduced to tabouli. I thought your mother was just one of the most hip and happening women I had ever met and I was RIGHT! Forever a Vera Fan and a Lake Lotawana "wanabe"~
Love and Friendship,
Kirsten Fearon Sneid
Dear Lisa-
We are so sorry to hear that Vera is so very ill & regret that we were unable to get to our e-mail and to send something to be included in your special book before this. Vera always loved a party and she put her whole heart and soul into her friendship with all of us..We joined the Cape Coral Sailing club in 1988 and were so fortunate to be able to go on our first cruise with the Cape Coral Sailing Club when Vera & Frank were the Group leaders. I admit to being a bit apprehensive when we moved to Florida and left our family and friends. But when we pulled into our first dock, Vera immediately came to our boat and was so welcoming to us.We knew when we met Vera, that we would enjoy living in Florida and have a wonderful time with our new found Friends.
We send our love to both Vera & Frank and will always have our wonderful memories of their friendship and our fun times together.
Love to you & your entire family,
Love and Friendship,
Kirsten Fearon Sneid
Dear Lisa-
We are so sorry to hear that Vera is so very ill & regret that we were unable to get to our e-mail and to send something to be included in your special book before this. Vera always loved a party and she put her whole heart and soul into her friendship with all of us..We joined the Cape Coral Sailing club in 1988 and were so fortunate to be able to go on our first cruise with the Cape Coral Sailing Club when Vera & Frank were the Group leaders. I admit to being a bit apprehensive when we moved to Florida and left our family and friends. But when we pulled into our first dock, Vera immediately came to our boat and was so welcoming to us.We knew when we met Vera, that we would enjoy living in Florida and have a wonderful time with our new found Friends.
We send our love to both Vera & Frank and will always have our wonderful memories of their friendship and our fun times together.
Love to you & your entire family,
Betty & John Louw
Vera, I will always picture you in your little yellow Flutterby....thank you for helping to start one of Lotawana's greatest sailing fleets! So many years...so much fun! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love,
Barb and Bob Cooley
Oh Lori, sweet Vera. We have so many wonderful happy, memories of her happy spirit here at Lotawana. Please know that I am thinking of her with Love and comfort. Please have Glen tell her that all of Lotawana sends LOVE and as I look out at the sparkling waters this morning I think of her smile. Love,
Diane Harriman
Thank you SO much for keeping me informed. Vera is a very cherished member of the lake community.
Vera, I will always picture you in your little yellow Flutterby....thank you for helping to start one of Lotawana's greatest sailing fleets! So many years...so much fun! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love,
Barb and Bob Cooley
Oh Lori, sweet Vera. We have so many wonderful happy, memories of her happy spirit here at Lotawana. Please know that I am thinking of her with Love and comfort. Please have Glen tell her that all of Lotawana sends LOVE and as I look out at the sparkling waters this morning I think of her smile. Love,
Diane Harriman
Thank you SO much for keeping me informed. Vera is a very cherished member of the lake community.
Cathy McFadden
Lori thinking of all of you at this time of sweet release. I am seeing Vera with her wonderful smile ready to let go of a body that doesn't serve her and ready for the rest of the journey on the other side. Sending you all love and peace. Always,
Alicha
Lori thinking of all of you at this time of sweet release. I am seeing Vera with her wonderful smile ready to let go of a body that doesn't serve her and ready for the rest of the journey on the other side. Sending you all love and peace. Always,
Alicha
6 comments:
Here is another poem that Vera wanted in her "memorial leaflet" by Clara Aiken Speer...
For never star shall set, if it but be
A star of substance and reality
But it shall shine somehow, somewhere, somewhen
In undiminished brilliance again.
No stream is lost in marsh or sand or spray
But it shall flow again in rain or rill someday,
And never bright deed perished from the earth
That shall not rise again in greater worth.
Together Glenn and I have agreed the quote that most reminds us of Vera is this:
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" -Dr. Seuss
We will both be writing more later as we collect our thoughts about our dear Vera Maude--we know you won't mind...
Lori
I met Vera at North Shore Place condos in Ft. Myers. The first thing she said to me was "Do you play bridge or do you know anyone else that does?" I do not play bridge but we became good friends over the years. We had a grand time aqua jogging in the pool. Vera never missed a day, even when it was too cold for anyone else! She made me a beautiful Christmas pine bough centerpiece and never forgot my birthday....even if she thought I was 10 years older than I was!! We have shared many good laughs and hugs over the years and I will always remember her with a smile on my face. Lucy Robertson
Dearest Vera,
How lucky I am to have had such a vital and loving person in my life!
When I was a little girl on Lake Lotawana and Lisa and I were joined at the hip, you were my “other mother.” We traipsed through each others families as if they were one. You did that for us, your beautiful, infectious laughter brightening everything. You loved so much and so well.
Vera, when you were born the world was made better. You sparkled with something that doesn’t dim. I am so grateful to have been able to see you in Massachusetts not too long ago. You glimmered then and I can still feel the warmth. When I think of you I will always hear laughter and feel love. You are one of the great ones. Bon voyage, lovely Vera.
I've loved reading the wonderful tributes to Vera and they all sound like the wonderful Vera I knew - generous, loving, funny, and game for anything! I met Vera at North Shore Place in Ft. Myers in 2004 and we took an instant liking to each other. We had lots of great times together and, along the way, I got to hear many stories about Lake Lotawana, adventures on the boat, and her family. She had a great sense of humor and often had us in stitches in the pool during aqua jogging. When I think of Vera, I can't help but think of her ready, sparkling smile and that twinkle in her eye. I will also treasure my last real conversation with her, about a month before she died because she was so at peace and accepting. She was a wonderful friend and a great role model and she will have a place in my heart forever.
While I did not have the honor of knowing or serving with Frank, he is a navy and submarine brother. Thank you for your service to your country sir, and now at long last sailor you have eternal fair winds and following seas. Our condolences to his family.
Keith F. Post, Executive Director
St. Marys Submarine Museum
St. Marys, GA 31558
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