Marie and I met on the High Street bus heading to Skyline High School in our first days of high school. That was 44 years ago, but it feels like only yesterday. Marie boarded the bus at High Street and MacArthur, and I hopped on three blocks later. Our friendship began gingerly on the commonality of a 15-minute morning bus ride, and then later expanded to shared high school experiences like the same classes, teachers, and friends. Even now, I credit Marie and her keen mathematical mind for helping me pass my high school math classes! In our junior year, we both accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, and our friendship deepened as we grew spiritually to know Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the power of prayer. After graduating from Skyline High, Marie and I entered Mills College together. She did not finish Mills but took a job at the Oakland Police Department. She later transferred to the Port of Oakland and, after a rewarding long career, retired at the early age of 50. I don’t think there are many instances in the history of the world, where anyone witnessed such a beautiful and young retiree! Shortly before she retired, at the age of 49, she married Rick. Rick made my friend the happiest she could ever be. She was complete, and their marriage was wonderful to behold. I enjoyed watching their interaction: the way they worked together, the pet names they called each other, the friendly teasing from a love that knew each partner well. He opened the door to new adventures for her, such as houseboat fishing and traveling, and he never closed the door—not really--to what she liked to do, even continuing to purchase her fine jewelry. :-) Even though Marie married later than all of her girlfriends, she beat us all in becoming grandmothers. She inherited a daughter from Rick and then loved the daughter’s daughters as her own. At our get togethers we would always find Marie proudly showing photographs of, and telling stories about, her Maggie and Stella. Marie was always there for me. She stood beside me at my wedding 36 years ago and continued to stand with me through the joys and sorrows of life. She was cheerful and fun to be with. With humility, she lived consistently a life of integrity, genuineness, compassion, and generosity, and she taught me a lot. She had a hesitant little giggle and an innocence that endeared her to everyone who came in contact with her. She never thought herself beautiful, but she certainly was, from all the things I envied physically about her—her luminous eyes, her small Grecian nose, etc.—to the inward beauty of a pure heart. She was better than fine jewelry, more precious than gold. What I do know is that Marie is with her God in Heaven now. I think Jesus has already taken her on Heaven’s “Tour of the Fine Jewels,” and Marie is probably astounded at the city constructed of gold, wall and foundations layered in precious stones, and gates made of pearl! Marie, thank you for your presence in our lives. You made us richer and better people. No one can take your place, and we will miss you all the days of our lives.