Bubbly, adventurous, full of ideas, energy, and creativity, Jody had a way of filling the space around her with excitement and fun. At the same time, she was incredibly intuitive and thoughtful, and always looked out for her buddies, in every sense. I simply cannot believe that someone so alive is now gone. I know I, and many others who loved her, will carry a piece of her with us forever and we'll be the better for it.
We tromped through the warren of old Delhi to buy stones for a jeweler friend and nosh on chicken Noorjahani at Karim's. We picked out pillows in Lagpat Nagar that we loved, and Danny hated, of course. We tried on sarees and salwar suits and strings of pearls. We clambered over the kamasutra-carved temples of Khajuraho, and wended our way through the palace and cenotaphs at Orchha. Jody saved all of her food on the train and in restaurants and embarrassed the heck out of me by passing it out to whomever she thought needed it, both because we stuck out like a sore thumb and because I knew she was right. She patted cows and cuddled puppies, and hugged people that maybe she shouldn't have, but again, she was probably right. I was looking forward to so many more adventures with Jody, that I can't help but feel bereft. My heart goes out to her family and friends, to Danny, her boyfriend, and to those of you who missed out on meeting her.
Jody, wherever this greatest adventure takes you, I wish you peace and am sending my love.
13 comments:
Hi. I don't know you, but Jody was my friend. She has touched hundreds of people in this world, and I know many feel like you and I -- a huge hole in our hearts.
Hi there, Jody was my ex-boss at Oracle in the ITBDC group. She was awesome. The whole group went on a ski trip to Tahoe once with her, and we had a great time. God Bless You, Jody. I'm going to miss you, and may your soul rest in peace.
love,
Rakesh Soundaranathan
Hello. I don't know any of you either, but I take comfort in the wonderful things you've said about her. Jody was my cousin. I fed her adorable little face when she was a toddler and loved and admired her spirit. As I knew all along and am finding more after her death, she touched more people than any one of us can ever imagine and we will all carry that piece of her that she so willingly gave us, to our graves as well.
Peace.
Jody was an MBA classmate at ASU. Such a joy to know her, and what a bright light she was to this world. My heart is so heavy to hear this news. Rest in Peace, dear Jody.......
Just heard the news of Jody's passing. This is going to take some time to sink in because it is hard to believe somebody with such positive energy, creativity and the desire to experience the diversity of the world -- would be taken from us. I got to know Jody while working in Marketing at Hewlett Packard and I always enjoyed her company and spirit. The last time I saw Jody was years ago in downtown Palo Alto when I was stopped at a red light and she raced through the cross walk being pulled by a dog. I yelled hello and she yelled and waved hello back -- and I can still see in my mind, that amazing smile she gave me as she and that dog were swallowed up by the crowded sidewalk. No doubt, she was doing something fun and considerate for her canine friend -- who knew the right way to go and how to navigate the crowd. I'd like to express my condolences to her family. Douglas B.
To all of you, especially Megan, Thank you. The kind words are all true about our buddy Jody. She was kind, humble and wanted to please and make everyone happy in life. She spent all of her energy on others and doggies. I have never met a person with such a pure heart. She loved all of her co-workers and was deeply concerned about their career and happiness. I do not think many managers are that concerned like she was. So lets keep her spirit alive and live life happy!
Danny (her life partner)
HI Everyone .. Jody was someone that you knew that you would never forget. I went to elementary school with her. It was because of her that I have strived to be the best that i can. There was never a long amount of time that would go by that i wouldnt think about her or her brother Jeff. They always had a smile on their face and a kind word to give. I just want to say that even though it has been 30 yrs .. you were never forgotten. Thank you Jody for coming into my life and being a part of it.
Hi everybody,
My name ist Jochen. I am writing from Germany. I was travelling with Jody for nearly nine weeks through Thailand, Laos and Burma. That was 8 years ago. Jody could be a pain in the ass sometimes, but also she was a very warm and giving Character. She was both enthusiastic and thoughtful, naive and smart, loud and humble, always looking for a deeper understanding of things. She was always careless about herself. She feared nothing. Often she had been regardless. More than once I thought: There will be a moment, when there is nobody around to rescue her. We shared so much in those 2 months. As most of you might now, during travelling you get connected much deeper than in "normal" friendships, whre everyone has it's own life going. Now, as I am writing these lines, I see her face in dozens of situations: running in front of me waving back laughing; huddled around the campfire looking to the stars; lifting her backpack to go where no woman has ever gone before; in silent consciousness inside an old temple.
So please, although you don't know me - can anybody tell me, what has happened? Please write to jochenschoenmann@web.de
I knew Jody in the 7th Grade and was shocked to hear of her passing. Would you please e-mail me and let me know what happened and how I can reach her next of kin. I would like to extend condolences. Thanks. tstansbury@cinci.rr.com
Trevor told me about Jody. I also know her from middle school in Germany and never realized that she was living in the Bay Area when I was. Even at that middle-school age, she was a dynamic, fun person. It has been a pleasure reading from all of you about the things she did in her life.
Many thanks for the revisit to Jody. She was truely was an amazing person and brings joy to my heart and others. I miss her very much.
Hi Everyone. My Name is Kai and I went to VT with Jody.(87-92) I am so saddened to hear of her passing. It's been so many years and I've always thought of her over the years..so I decided to track her down one day and got the news. Jody, another friend Tracey and I backpacked through Germany for a few weeks one College Summer. I took them to Stuttgart, Mainz, Munchen, Cologne and we had plenty of adventures, wine & "wurst" travelling together. We pic-nicced in parks in downtown Mainz, took a day cruise down the Rhine. We tented out one night by a castle overlooking the Rhine....then running down the mountain to catch the boat again. She met my grandparents and friends all over Germany. We had such a great time that my memories go back to those few weeks a lot. Jody was always smiling, happy and ready to go have an adventure. She made that trip memorable, as I am sure she made life for so many other memorable. It is no surprise that so many friends have the same impressions. It was a sad say when I had to split from Jody and Tracey that last day in Stuttgart....they went on to Greece and I went to Garmish P. Just a few months later I ran into Jody unexpectedly at a party back at VT...we laughed and told stories for hours into the night. Even though I have not seen her in many years, I will miss her, and I will keep my memories of her forever. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Love, Kai Geschke
I knew Jody since she was a sweet teenager, and she became a beautiful successful young woman. She went after life with a rare gusto, and made the world a better, kinder place wherever she chose to go.
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