Thelma reached out to me in friendship and with curiosity about my field (meteorology). She was a humble and gentle woman, wishing to introduce herself to me with a tie and later, a key chain. Thelma was concerned that the gift was too small. I let her know that her friendship, was a treasure, a gift, bigger and more important than any material gift. That having been said, I do find that the tie (she worried that I might not have liked it) is special to me and the keychain is in my pocket every day. I never got to meet Thelma in person, but I am grateful that she wrote to me and that we exchanged 2 or three letters during the last several years. Richard "Heatwave" Berler

Sr. Thelma Irene, my sister, was unique in her spiritual journey and dedication to our Lord. She loved music (played French Horn in the band), poetry, her family and most of all, Jesus Christ. Sister prayed for more than 800 persons from all walks of life, ethnicities, economic circumstances and had a need. She and Herminia would make sandwiches for the homeless and deliver these in the late evening to people they would see on Saunders; if they had money, they would also provide them with a few dollars. Sister earned a Masters Degree in Theology. While doing research for her thesis, she lived in Israel for 6 months working in archeological sites brushing small pieces of potsherd fragments that most of us would find mundane. She cared for Herminia, when Mine was undergoing treatment for cancer and during that same time was caring for our Mother who was paralyzed due to a stroke, while she herself was facing serious medical challenges. Life, if we learned from Jesus, is about loving and caring for each other. Sometimes the Lord may ask us to carry what seems an unbearable load that others do not understand. John 8:7 says "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Life is about forgiveness and not judging. I know that my sister is resting in Jesus' peace and I thank the Lord that He blessed us with her for 84 years. Tonie