Some of my thoughts about Mark on this sad day.
Unlike most of you, I have had the privilege of knowing Mark for only 11
years. He referred to me as his "nagging surrogate wife", but I refer to
him as my "Best Buddy".

As you have heard today, he was so many things to so
many people, but these are a just a few of the ways he enriched my life.
He was my plant doctor (a member of the prestigious Palm Tree Society no
less!), my music consultant (he once made me a variety of tapes for my
classroom so my students would be able to hear many different kinds of music
from around the world), my movie critic (and anyone who went to the movies
with Mark will remember what a noisy occasion that was!), my Dr. Ruth
(diligently consulting me on my "love interests"), my phone buddy (and
everyone knows that NO ONE could talk on the phone like Mark-----literally ,
I'm talking hours!), my social director (I was a proud member of "Marks
Harem" in the 90's. He organized trips for large groups--all women I might
add---except himself of course. I once asked him why he didn't invite men
to come with us and he said "Why, I don't know any"----which judging from
the crowd here today simply was not true. We went to The Boogie, The
Crazyhorse, weekends to Swallows Days in San Juan Capistrano, rodeos and
dancing in Temecula, Disneyland, and he made sure we had our first
experience with IMAX in Irvine. He also attended many of my family picnics
and had my family running all over the park with that Traveling Bocci Ball set.)

I guess you could say that he was like-----a sister----to me.
I have no doubt that he is somewhere right now organizing a fabulous
tropical party, as we speak. I certainly hope that wherever he is, there is
a Borders nearby to keep him busy and not bugging John Lennon and Elvis!
He has left a big, big hole in my life, and my heart, and I love that crazy guy.

Sue
suuzi_q@hotmail.com