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From:
Roseanne Gilbert
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Sunday, December 10, 2017
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My mother and I were there on Niki’s birthday, a tiny bundle of beauty and calm---despite the occasional pop of fireworks going on outside her window—a gift for my Grandmother her great grandmother, being born the same day. I have pictures of her-- at 2ish with her Great Grandparents in their backyard--… I remember when she was 6 so on a visit asking me if I knew what a cornucopia was ?… I have pictures of her as she grew into the remarkable lady she is… She was there bringing joy for my mother, her grandmother, on her last Christmas in 1995… She was there on camping trips our Aunt/Uncle (Marsden) took at Lake Mead and playing cards at their table… She was here on her way to or from some adventure with pictures and tales to tell… She was here in January 2017 showing me another way to prepare salmon with breadcrumbs and to roast potatoes and asparagus with a ‘Zen’ like calmness... I will greatly miss her smile that would light up a room, her unconditional acceptance of me, her being but a phone call away--- always ending our calls with “I love you”… A blessing she has always been! She is, as she has always been, in my mind and heart!
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From:
Eli Owens
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Thursday, December 7, 2017
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On December 4th, 2017, my big sister Niki Leilani passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Should you pick up a book containing the entirety of her life, after reading it you would likely try to return it to the Fiction section of the library, but you would be mistaken.
The story of her life contained the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, pure joy and utter sadness, unexplained magical wonders and insightful science of the human mind. She was a sheer force of nature that bettered the lives of all those she met. Her presence ran the world over, and she will be missed by all.
To many in the boating community she will be remembered as "Sailing Since Tuesday," her Radio Handle when communicating with other sailors on her many sea voyages across the globe.
To the homeless dogs in Costa Rica she will be remembered as the Woman who would lay in the dirt with them for hours, picking ticks and fleas off their aching bodies.
To the rich and powerful in Australia she will be remembered as the incredible cook she was, especially for her famous "Mom's Potato Soup Bar."
To all of the Sunflowers in the world, she will be remembered as the person who's face would light up and smile every time she saw them.
To her clients she will be remembered as the person who helped them through the most difficult of life's challenges to emerge a happier person on the other side.
To her friends she will be remembered as a source of laughter and shoulder to cry on.
To her family she will be remembered for everything that made her who she was, but that list is far too large to put into words.
But for me, I have the privilege to remember her as my Sister. The one who would run down the toy isle of any store grabbing the hands of every animatronic stuffed animal she could reach so that they all would come alive and start making their sounds all at once, and then stand there with a giant grin on her face expecting a store manager to show up and scold her for being naughty. That is how I choose to remember her, with a smile on her face and a glint of magic in her eye.
Love you Nik
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