Remembering the ones we loved
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Clifford Elsworth Jones Jr.: Losing my best history teacher
CNN iReport"Holidays, celebrations, and other major events in my life have always included him, and knowing that I will not get to have one more Thanksgiving meal, Christmas gathering, and birthday celebration with him in it will be very upsetting. He has always been there, and now when we have family gatherings and he is not there at the end of the table, there is a hole in our family. So the lesson here is: cherish people in your life, because you never know when that constant flame in your life will eventually be extinguished." -- Angela Buentello -
Doran Barro
CNN iReport"Doran Barro was an amazing mother, grandmother, wife, and friend. Doran tragically lost her battle with cancer on September 30th; however, her memory lives on through her family, friends, and anyone that was lucky enough to meet Doran." -- Josh Barro -
John J. Bruno lost his battle with liver cancer on June 29, 2014
CNN iReport"He was an amazing man that put his friends and family first. Also a fantastic wood worker and carver, fisherman, carpenter, and Yankees fan. He was loved by many in his community and there isn't anyone that could say a bad thing about him."
-- John J. Bruno II -
Bud Porter: Best chemo buddy in the world
CNN iReport"On October 31st of this year Bud lost his battle to cancer. We laughed, cried, enjoyed each other's company. Bud will be forever in my heart. One thing he taught me is our life is short no matter what our age is. Just live, laugh and love like there is no tomorrow." -- Laurie Lottimer -
Dr. Cedric A. Allen: The first black physician in small town in East Texas, a great physician and community leader
CNN iReport"My father was a physician for truly the right reasons, he was passionate about helping others and lived his life doing so. The challenges that he faced and how he surpassed adversity truly defined his character." -- Dennis Allen -
Josh Clewey: A beautiful mind, a caring soul
CNN iReport"I choose to remember life before Josh's passing. He was the respectful son, loving husband, brother and always cared for others. His life can be summarized by giving music back to those who don't have the means to have access to musical instruments."
-- Don Clewey -
For my Dad, Mike Downing
CNN iReport
"Now that my Dad is gone I feel the void of not being able to tangibly feel his love. While at the same time I gain strength in knowing I carry his love and energy inside me. He was a man to be admired and he is surely a man that will be missed."
-- Rebekah Downing -
Thomas Joseph Coady: My beautiful son
CNN iReport
"Thomas was my son, my inspiration, my teacher. He taught me about selflessness (he never asked for anything), playing by the rules ('lying is way overrated'), and to focus on doing what is right even if everyone disagrees. Words cannot capture his spirit, pictures cannot show his boundless heart." -- Maria Coady Bedard -
The giant, William Jordan Jr.
CNN iReport"He had a smile that left a lasting impression, a laugh in which you knew he was up to no good & a heart of pure gold. He blessed all of us with his 'Bill knowledge' and we realized over these last few months, he was actually right about most of it!" -- Leah Jordan -
My father, Hal Hammett
CNN iReport"When I was five years old he moved our family from the suburbs of Chicago to rural Alabama and got a house and 40 acres and proceeded to buy every farm animal he could think of at one point or another. I could not thank him enough for giving me that wild and free childhood." -- Sarah Hammett -
My wife Diana
CNN iReport"Diana's death has made me rethink some things. I now pray that every doubt I've had about the existence of a higher power is 100% wrong." -- Kirby Erwin Gowland -
Our protector
CNN iReport "My dear Uncle Jon Burhoe: A proud and loving father (second father to a bunch of us), husband, brother, son, friend, neighbor, green beret veteran, and a dedicated ER nurse for many years. He taught me pride -- pride in who you are and what you've become and most importantly to take pride in the work you do. "
-- Kayla Fogg -
"My dad came to the United States at the age of 16, learned to speak English, started his own company, and married the most beautiful woman who ever graced this planet. I am excited to continue his legacy. Dad, I love you, and you are missed with every breath I take."
-- Joe Camorianoby Joe Camoriano via Instagram edited by Daphne.Sashin 12/29/2014 3:45:46 PM -
The day after Robin Williams
CNN iReport"The most amazing father, son, brother and friend is gone and we will always have questions as to why this happened … Depression takes too many lives in this country and not enough is done about it." -- Deanna Thompson -
Wherever I am you'll always be
CNN iReport"Our parents always said we'd grow up to be best friends, no matter how much we fought as children. Shortly before my brother died, he and I decided it was time we stop asking mom for updates on each other and just pick up the phone and call one another. I wish we'd had the chance to become best friends."
-- Christina Anderson -
The most magnificent Mama
CNN iReport"While beautifully flawed, as we all humans are, my mom didn’t have an unkind bone in her body. She was extraordinary. But while her passing has divided my life’s timeline into two (I now see my life as a series of moments before and after that fateful February day) her passing has made me kinder, gentler, and a more loving human being." -- Ariana Sarfarazi
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Forget not the sea at sunrise
CNN iReport"Whether she was singing her favorite show tune, conversing with her pets or describing the contents of the previous night’s dream, Briana Schneider did everything with beauty. She saved my life -- I only wish I could've saved hers." -- Siali Siaosi -
My Hero-My Brother Angel
CNN iReport"This year I lost my brother Angel. As a family we lost a loving, caring and giving man. I lost my hero, my keeper, my friend. He was of a generation that served our country though it was not popular. He returned different but never displaced his experiences on others." -- Jose Vargas -
My beloved wife Veronique Lam
CNN iReport"After working for a few years, I decided to return to grad school. Being a student again made our finances a little bit tight. And so I was so excited to have received a tax refund. But one day when I came home, she told me that she met a Caucasian lady in the laundry room. Her husband, who was a fellow grad student, suddenly died, leaving her and their two young children with nothing to live on. Out of sympathy, she gave her all our tax refund." -- Norman Lam -
Uncle Rick, shellfish connoisseur
CNN iReport"My Uncle Rick was a successful small businessman, a loving father of five, and an exceptional carpenter. He died in his sleep next to his wife in a four-bedroom home that he built from scratch. Uncle Rick loved the ocean and taught me how to cook and eat lobster, crabs, oysters, and clams. I will miss him a lot."
-- Rick Morde -
My G'Buddy, Cent
CNN iReport"It was the first day of college. I met Cynthia Linda Hill on that day and we were inseparable from that point on. She was a tall, statuesque woman and looked so approachable. We were always together. She took care of me when I had the flu in college - they were going to make me stay by myself in the infirmary, but she told the doctor that she'd take care of me and she did." -- Delzora Clark -
My beautiful heart baby
CNN iReport"In June, I lost my daughter at 3 months old due to complications of a heart defect she had, hypoplastic left heart syndrome. I miss her so dearly. She never had her first Thanksgiving, Christmas or birthday. I am lucky to have the support I have from my family and the heart babies community. May my daughter's spirit live on forever." -- Tiara Fraser -
Karlijn Keijzer, passenger on MH17
CNN iReport"I'm still struggling with the reality I will never share another coffee, hug or cook pancakes with my best friend again. I move forward by remembering the amazing memories we shared in Bloomington, Indiana, where we both rowed as graduate students. With her strength and wisdom, I plan to honor her by piecing my heart back together and blazing a trail ... one stroke after another." -- Catherine Campbell -
Felix Gyi -- Burmese bioethicist & best dad
CNN iReport"My dad lived for making people happy and feel taken care of. When he would visit me at medical school, he would take my friends and me out to dinner and then insist that they each order another meal to take home so that they wouldn’t have to worry about cooking during a stressful study period." -- Rebecca Gyi -
My beautiful mother
CNN iReport"I lost my mom, Agnes L. Curtis, unexpectedly, and rather abruptly. I know most folks say they had the 'sweetest' mom, but I really did. Her heart was the purest and sweetest I have ever known. I would just love to touch her, kiss her, or perhaps have our annual Christmas coffee, at least one more time." -- LaVerne N. Knight -
My first loss was my best friend
CNN iReport"Adiv Vivek Lift was my best friend and there was a time that I even loved him. We spent so much time on a daily basis and never got tired of each other. He was my senior prom date and our parents joked that it looked like we're getting married."
-- Sandra Bennett -
My brother, John Voic
CNN iReport"He was my best friend, my son's best friend, and my most loyal companion. I miss him every day. He loved the outdoors, children, reading, NPR, and being lazy on the weekends. We lost him to addiction." -- Melissa Voic -
Suzanne Murray
CNN iReport"This year breast cancer took the love of my life. Suzanne was a beautiful wife, mother, and sister. Suzanne courageously endured cancer for the second time in her young 49 years. God bless her and hold her close." -- Butch Murray -
Ken Bengtson 1928-2014
CNN iReport"Ken Bengtson: Father, foster father, grandfather, great-grandfather, entrepreneur, grill master, best melted cheese sandwich maker, boater, camper, fisherman, tinkerer, technology junkie, square dancer, loather of square dancing, awful bridge partner, handyman, mechanic, dog lover, world traveler, RV wanderer, philanthropist, corny humor to the end."
-- Paul Bengtson -
Allwyn -- always winning
CNN iReport"Our brother Allwyn Fernandes was a fearless and veteran journalist, communication consultant and lay Catholic activist. He fought a two-year battle with cancer as tenaciously as he battled many social issues. Allwyn, you strove till the end -- with your last ounce of courage and strength -- and have reached the unreachable star." -- Matilda Yorke -
Yantz Shirey
CNN iReport"We lost my 2-year old cousin over Memorial Day weekend. This little boy was pure joy, a ray of sunshine, and one of the brightest lights of our family. The silver lining in our tragedy is that through organ donation, Yantz was able to save the lives of three others." -- Hillary Barnes -
The greatest of the Greatest Generation
CNN iReport"My grandpa, Col. Keith O Parkin, was a hero on the battlefield, in his home, at work, and in his community. For years he had been taking care of single moms, others in need, and reading the mail to his neighbor who was blind. He did so many things quietly because 'it was his duty'." -- Brent Parkin -
My grandma, Juanita Johnson
CNN iReport"I remember when I was sick and you would always fix some soup and some tea for me so I could feel better. No matter how old I was, you always treated me as your baby, your little grandson. I miss you granny, I really do, and I just want you to know I'm doing okay. I just miss you much." -- Edward McClenney -
So much more than a beloved aunt
CNN iReport"Lillian M. Fox, better known as Aunt Lilly, died April 14, 2014 after battling breast cancer since 1970. She was much more than a favorite auntie -- she stepped in to help her brother raise us four kids when we lost our mother. She was given five years to live, but she kicked cancer's butt for another 44 years. She was our aunt, our mom, our grandma, our cheerleader, our mentor, she was our everything." -- Bob Fox -
Francis J. Shane - Our dad, our hero
CNN iReport"I vividly remember our lively political debates when I was in college. I would get so heated because he knew everything about anything and could back up what he said; and while I would be arguing away, he would sit back and smile and say he didn't care which side I came down on, he was just glad I was thinking."
-- Monica E. Shane -
Nick Kapusniak, pharmacy student
CNN iReport"Nicholas Kapusniak was a 20-year-old pharmacy student at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and was tragically killed in a random drive by shooting while standing on the front porch of his house. Nick wasn't in a gang, he wasn't a bad person, he was at home trying to become a doctor of pharmacy and taken from us in a random and selfish act of gun violence." -- Brian Carkner -
Soulmate
CNN iReport"My aunt, Socorro Hernandez, was the epitome of a beautiful soul. Growing up in Mexico she suffered extreme poverty, but always remained optimistic and worked hard to make a better life for her family. To the world she might be just another person who sadly passed away, but to me, she was my everything." -- Maryanne Brackeen -
Shauna Winterol
CNN iReport"Shauna was the most open, vibrant, hilarious, stubborn and awesome young woman I've had the pleasure of knowing. She passed just 1 month and 20 days after her 30th birthday. Not a day goes by that I don't see something and wish I could share it with her." -- Jessica Costello -
I lost my niece
CNN iReport"I lost my 15-year-old niece, Emma Sandhu, tragically on March 14th when she was struck by a car. She was an absolutely talented, giving and joyful human being who excelled at not only ballet and her rigorous high school courses, but at making a difference in our world by being a kind and thoughtful human being." -- Deirdre Salha -
My granddaughter Anna
CNN iReport"My daughter gave birth to my first grandbaby on October 20, 2014. She passed 4 days later in the NICU surrounded by both her parents and both sets of grandparents. I was able to hold her, talk to her, and kiss her moments beforehand. She was my Anna Banana and we loved her so much." -- Helen Kolln -
A life well lived
CNN iReport"My grandmother Hattie Irene Honsinger Moore died on January 26, 2014 just a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She taught me how to use concealer correctly, but above all, said to always wear a decent bra! I still miss her banana bread and chicken 'n' dumplings, but truth be told, I really just miss her." -- Lori Brown -
She loved me
CNN iReport"My grandmother, Josephine Scott, departed this earth on February 23, 2014. I was devastated because she meant the world to me. She was the only person to give me unconditional love." -- Melissa Fazli -
Our beloved father, Dante Valentino Asci
CNN iReport"He lived his life as if each day was a gift, each new person he met was a friend, and each moment was to be appreciated and celebrated. For Dante, being a husband and father was his most important job on earth, and he was extraordinary at both."
-- Laura Brown -
World War II hero
CNN iReport"My great uncle, Hubert Powell, served our country in World War II and returned to his small hometown as a farmer in Alabama. He lived his life simply and with love for all. Except for Auburn Tigers. He was a 'Roll Tide' man all the way." -- Amy Cherry -
Denise Crippen
CNN iReport"My mother fought valiantly against breast cancer for 20 years. She left us on October 5th. I miss her voice, her hugs, but more importantly, her presence." -- Deverick Crippen
