Goodbye, My Friend

I wonder why I haven’t heard from Gerri, I thought the other evening. I last saw my friend about a year ago, when she came East from Chicago to start setting up her new apartment on Central Park South. She’d had a long-time dream to move to New York, and finally started the process, even though she hadn’t yet sold her place in Chicago. She couldn’t wait.

It wasn’t unusual for months to pass without Gerri and I communicating, but both of us had let entirely too much time to fly by, without so much as an email, so I popped out of bed and emailed her. “Hi Gerri,

How are you? Where are you? Thinking of you. Love, Geri”

Then, something told me to Google Gerri’s name, and this is what I read on the 5th entry down:

How The Death Of My Dear Friend Brought Clarity To My Life – Be Yourself

Nov 26, 2017 – One of my cherished friends, Gerri, died in her sleep last month and though I am deeply saddened, I am grateful for the wake up call. It reaffirmed my commitment to live a full, authentic life and reminded me that she was doing just that. After the death of her husband, David, Gerri sublet an apartment in New…

Needless to say, I was shocked. I tracked down Laura, the woman who wrote the wonderful article about our mutual friend, who told me that Gerri had officially moved to New York last October, and had been here for about three weeks. “That night, she saw a Tony Bennett concert, returned home and went to sleep,” Laura recounted. Then, she died. Just like that.

It’s still hard to grasp that Gerri is gone, especially because she was one of the most alive people I’ve ever met. Vivacious. Insatiably curious. So darn smart. Utterly elegant. And, not a pretentious bone in her tall and willowy body. She looked better in clothes than any runway model I’ve ever seen.  

I met Gerri almost nine years ago, when I was researching women to interview across the country for FabOverFifty, a website I was planning to launch for “women of substance” to “share their style.” Gerri was the embodiment of that kind of woman. I was flattered she chose me as a friend. I shall never forget her. I like to think that she’s with David now, the love of her life about whom she was probably dreaming that night last October, completely content in her new New York home.

Goodbye, my friend.

P.S. Here’s the interview I did with Gerri in 2010.  

0 Responses to “Goodbye, My Friend”

  1. İzmit Kurye says:

    dilovası kurye, https://www.izmitkurye.net

    REPLY
  2. Diane Popper says:

    Geri, I so sorry to read about the passing of your friend, Gerri. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her when I attended a FOF event at her place in Chicago several years ago. I might be wrong, but I think you couldn’t be there because you had a grandchild born right around then.
    Gerri was the most gracious and beautiful hostess. Having her home filled with strangers didn’t faze her at all.
    Again, sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.

    REPLY
  3. 1010 Park Place says:

    I remember my mother telling me how difficult it was when her friends began dying. While I’ve lost two husbands, one from lung cancer and my darling James from a heart problem, Christmas Day, I’ve yet to lose a girlfriend. I’m sorry. Brenda

    REPLY
    • Geri Brin says:

      Thank you, Brenda. I am sorry about the loss of your husband on Christmas. I hope that 2018 is filled with nothing but good health and lots of joy for you and those you love. Geri

      REPLY
  4. Harmony Mercedes says:

    Sorry for your loss, Geri.

    REPLY
    • Geri Brin says:

      Thank you, Harmony. Fondly, Geri

      REPLY
  5. marge201 says:

    I’m so touched by all this (after a day of emails about a HS classmate who I learned today died of a heart attack at age 51 leaving 3 kids and a wife). Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate it.

    REPLY
    • Geri Brin says:

      I am sorry about your friend, Marge. Thank you for your comment. Fondly, Geri

      REPLY
  6. Jai Bee Ess says:

    Sorry, you lost your friend, but really glad it wasn’t you! I saw the title and got a little concerned! Hope you are well. So enjoy your honest accounts on a wide array of topics. You are a rather interesting women. Thank you for sharing. xo

    REPLY
    • Geri Brin says:

      What a lovely comment, Jai. Thank you for your kind words about the blog. Fondly, Geri

      REPLY
  7. eqalizr@comcast.net says:

    Yes, a true wake up call. Sorry you lost your friend.

    REPLY
    • Geri Brin says:

      Thank you. Fondly, Geri

      REPLY

Leave a Reply