Friday, May 1, 2009
To Elsie Barren, William Woolf and David Woolf,
We were Next-Door Neighbors west of Karl and Jeanette Roder from the time we built our home in 1991 until Hurricane Ivan came in 2004. "Jeannie," as we knew her, moved to Massachusetts to avoid that storm and happily did not see the way in which the home she and Karl enjoyed for so many years was devastated.
If we learn of her death with regret, we prefer to remember what a kind and pleasant neighbor she was. As the man in the neighborhood after Karl died, I was pleased to assist Jeannie when she would call and say, "I have a problem."
She was a gentle soul and a gentle woman. My wife and I tried several times after she moved to contact her, but were unable to do so. There is a void in our lives, just as the lot next door stands empty and desolate. It is difficult to remember that a neat brick home stood there for so many years. We could not have asked for better neighbors or friends.
Please accept our sympathy and know that we are assured Jeannie ended her life as she lived it, a devout Christian and a genuine American citizen. We were blessed by her brief presence in our lives.
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Brooks, Jr.
2805 Bay St.
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
