Andrea
There's a huge Andrea shaped hole in FirstClass - there always will be now. It should be filled by a bolshie, funny, gutsy, compassionate woman called Andrea Rouen, I never met her but she was my friend.We tripped over each other everywhere on FirstClass, we modded conferences together, we emailed each other and I miss her. That's it, pure and simple.
Andrea died recently and I still can't believe it, so Andrea, this is for you, buddy.
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At 3 o'clock on Wednesday 20th June, those who can get there will be celebrating your life in the way you wanted. Those of us who can't get there will be lighting candles and thinking about you ................ and laughing...............and crying.
It would be no show without animals though, would it? :o))
Badger will be there of course
Solomon
Bandit
Dinner chez Rouen
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Solomon
Bandit
Dinner chez Rouen************************
I made sure that you will be well cared for - Posted in the Rainbow Bridge conference on FirstClass:
A message to all animals over the
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge
Andrea Rouen, a very special person has come to join you today. Lots of you know her already and you've got to look after her for Badger, Bandit and Solomon Serengeti who all miss her so much.
16 comments:
At Lindy's kind invitation, I am posting these few words which some may have read elsewhere. Could I just add that this blog is such a good idea, and I do hope that others will feel they can also contribute here, even if only a few words about one we truly remember as a friend.
Michael...
This coming Wednesday, 20th June at 3: 00 P.M a funeral will take place at Torquay crematorium. This particular funeral is for one who was an OU student; Andrea Rouen. Some readers of this conference may have known Andrea from several FC conferences, including Health Issues, Cancer and others. Perhaps some of you, as with myself, were among those who emailed now and then privately to her.
Andrea is missed by those of us who were ofttimes charmed and touched by her sincerity; and her unbounded willingness to help others whom she had never met face to face. Andrea had a wonderful humour, a deep love for animals and the environment around us. Thus on Wednesday, those who can attend her funeral will be asked to write a personal message to her; on her cardboard coffin. Regretfully, I can’t be there to do that, so I thought to write a simple message in here instead.
On Wednesday, at 3:00P.M.; please give a thought for Andrea, please whisper a quiet prayer for her parents and those who knew her much better than I ever did. On Wednesday, through this medium, we can say goodbye to an OU student who was a loved friend to many, whether we knew her personally or not. This profound loss of one we can remember as our friend, as our fellow student is a loss for us all; and we must ever seek never to become complacent about death, and the sorrow it leaves behind when it knocks on the door. Death comes and without regard, robs us of those whose lives caused ripples within our own. We are left with memories, and my memories of Andrea are sweet. I am glad she rippled, even if only ever so briefly, in my life.
Let us on Wednesday, at 3:00 P.M acknowledge that someone who was one of us; a student, who so touched the hearts of many students with her love of humanity and life, that we wept unashamedly and openly at news of her death, though we had never held her hands, kissed her cheek or stroked her hair. Let those of us who have a caring heart for others, remember this warm hearted, loving, unconventional and humourous woman who though ofttimes in pain herself, could wring the joys of laughter from our hearts; our very beings.
On Wednesday, at 3: 00 P.M give a thought for Andrea; if for no other reason; that most assuredly, she would have given thought for you…..and cried because you had gone; even as now dear Andrea has gone from us….
Michael….
I never met Andrea, but the times our paths crossed in the virtual world, she was there... with advice, kind words, help, and a voice of experience.
Though I never knew her, I'll miss her.
Rest in peace, Andrea.
Kazzy
xx
Like many OU Students I never met Andrea physically but during our many exchanges in mail, ideas and thoughts over the years about our student studies and how other people perceive those of us who have disabilities but want to gain a better education on a equal level as lead to a wonderful time together and enjoy some of my best years both as a OU Student and as a friend amongst many dear friends in the OUSA conferences that we all frequent. The OUSA T171 Survivors conference in particular where everyone enjoys the regular banter of every day life and gains support for many different walks of life as been one of the best places where we all have enjoyed each others company without any inhibitions, here Andrea is sadly missed in our hearts and minds.
Andrea is a beautiful women, best friend, fantastic study partner and great socialiser. Her sense of humour is second to none and her outlook on life is and was unique by anyone’s standard. No matter who chatted with her gained a valuable friend and given a unique perspective on how some people can continue with their life even in the face of darkness and despair?
I for one will miss this lovely lady for a very long time, and although I have fond memories to remember her by, I have a feeling that a part of me is missing during my Open University studies and a part of my way of life both as a disabled person and just being me too. Andrea brought a light into my life that I had not seen for a very long time and a view on life that gave everyone a hope for the future. Life has been so unfair to Andrea and she deserves much better than she had. Andrea god bless sweetheart, I hope that when it is my time to pass from this world to the next that we meet once again and spent many more times exchanges thoughts and ideas that made the time pass in such a lovely way.
Bev and I found you to be such a lovely friend and we wish you better times too.
We all miss you Andrea…
Bev and Chris
The world is a poorer place without Andrea.
She had her head screwed on; friendly and helpful, a wonderful person to know. She always had a thoughtful and wise word for everybody and never said anything harsh.
An environmentalist, animal and human lover, with an unconventional outlook - good on you Andrea.
I hope those who have a large hole left in their lives may recover to some extent soon, though there will always be an Andrea-shaped hole in our thoughts.
It may be a cliche, but Rest In Peace, Andrea.
It is hard to believe that such a bright light could have gone out. I will think of Andrea:
when I feel sorry for myself, as Andrea did not, despite having good cause;
when I feel that something is too difficult or unpleasant, as Andrea would just get on with it;
when I put myself before others - human or otherwise - because Andrea did not;
when I forget what a privilege it is to be alive, when Andrea and others who deserve that privilege have lost it.
But no one who shines as brightly as Andrea can really just disappear because their body has died. She lives on in us, in the way she has changed us for the better, and she lives on in the animals she has helped to survive when otherwise they would not.
Thank you, Andrea.
Like many others I never actually met Andrea, but had the privilege to know her through the Open Univeristy First Class.
She was a wonderful person, very caring and had a such a love of animals. She was there for me when I needed it most and gave me a virtual shoulder to cry on and gave me so much support.
Like many others, I miss her so much. Thank you Andrea for being a friend.
Liz and Dusty
As you go on your journey, Andrea, I will miss you. But, as the sun sets, it rises again and I know that one day you will decide to make the journey back, to have another bash at earthly existance.
I never met you, I regret that because we were always saying we would meet up weren't we? Still, I didn't have to meet you in person because we are so alike in most ways. I think you may have felt that too - well we agreed on everything didn't we?
I am certain that you are well and happy in the Summerlands and will join you there one day. We'll have that brew and play with the animals eh?
Take care, Sister.
Blessed Be.xxxx
On this last day of spring 2007 on hopefully a sunny and very special day for all who will be there in Torquay or here in this cyberworld thinking of you and celebrating your life I wish you serenity and light and I wish all who miss you the strength they need to cope with this loss. Most of all I want to thank you.
Thank you for all the times you have helped others, thank you for being so kind.
I don't think you ever realised how many people you've touched by your help and kindness.
So thank you for being you, for braving all that life threw in your way and yet being there for so many others anytime when you could.
Doing what you could when you could while you could.
Thank you for being there.
Thank you for being such a good friend Andrea. I'm going to miss you.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Love Pam xxx
There is not much I can add after Michael's wonderful and touching testemony.
All I can add is my sorrow and my tears.
Sorrow that you're gone, tears that you won't be arround anymore and I'll miss you forever.
Rest in peace Andrea.
Saudades
Cristina
I never had the pleasure of meeting Andrea in person but my life was still richer for knowing such a wonderful, caring, selfless, loving woman.
She always knew the right thing to say and when I was going through a particularly difficult time, she popped into my mailbox offering love and support.
A truly special friend who I miss terribly.
Bless you hon, may you be at peace.xx
I, like many never had the pleasure of meeting Andrea but still shed tears over her passing. I have not seen one negative comment about Andrea on any forum which proves just how much she was liked and respected.
I would like to send much love to her mother who must feel so very, very proud of her wonderful daughter.
Sleep tight Andrea and guide us all through our lives and our studies.
I have to say I didn't have that many conversations directly with Andrea, but one sticks in my mind.
On one occasion we were talking about gardenging, and in particular the pros and cons of organic gardening. The discussion roamed, as they do, and eventualy turned to the merits of pissing on the compost heap.
There aren't many people you can discuss that with!
She certainly spread a deal of good feeling amongst her friends, and she is missed on FC.
We have quite simply lost afriend, we may never meet her like again
Joy
Andrea buddy, you now even have your own official page on O U S A in the South West. http://www.ousasw.org.uk/andrea.html
Diana's made a beautiful memory of you there.
Even though you won't be posting on FirstClass, we've put some of your stuff in folders - with your tree icon - so that we can still smile when we see your name there, just like always.
We miss you, Andrea. Sleep well
I met Andrea through First Class, on the Cats Forum. Though I didn't know her well, I will miss her a great deal. I loved her stories of Solomon and Bandit. I was ( am still ) overawed by her love of animals.
Rest in Peace, Andrea
God's Peace
Anna
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