Over the last couple of years I have been privileged to be one Dan’s roommates, and have had the honor of being surrounded by his family’s joy and love, which all derived from his mother. You could always see her enthusiasm for life. Some of my more special memories I had with her dealt with two of her passions; Astrology and flowers.

I will always remember being at her and Tom’s house after Dan and I drove home from Columbus for the weekend. While I was there, I just mentioned that I always wanted to know about my Astrology. She stopped everything she was doing, and for the next half hour, she happily explained what my signs suggested. She was always more than willing to give up her time for others.

Another favorite memory involves her love for flowers and nature. Tom and her drove up to Columbus for the day, and graciously invited me to go to lunch with them and Dan. After lunch while we were walking back to the car, we walked past a small garden of flowers. She stopped, and began identifying the different types of flowers, keenly knowing what aroma went with each flower. You could easily tell by the smile on her face, that she was truly content with where she was.

Dan, Andrea, Tom, and the rest of the family, my thoughts are with you. I could never forget her smile that day next to the flowers, nor would I want to. Your loved one touched many peoples’ hearts, and will continue to do the same in the future, and her future lives. Thank you for sharing her with the rest of us.

-Ryan Sweeney