Loydean Virginia Noyes Spearman July 5, 1957 - January 14, 2018

Loydean was Dino to me. She was rarely Loydean - so that might seem strange for a bit.  

I could ramble on about her for a day and a night; all our stories. SO MANY STORIES

But she's gonna start rolling her eyes at me soon enough. "Wrap it up" she'll say. "Make a long story sorta shorter."

Ok, ok... I'll try, as hard as I can, to narrow your 60 years and our 20 years down to something less than that, love.

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There are people in life who you realize, have the same sense of humor as you. Those are the people you end up becoming best friends with.

Dino and I met 20 years ago, working together at The Hub Group. We had the same sense of humor. She was FUNNY. WE were HILARIOUS.

-          Once, she swiped the car keys from the briefcase of one of our co-workers. She came around and asked me to sneak out with her. Following her lead, we grabbed up all the toilet paper we could carry. We proceeded to wrap his car, outside AND inside. Every knob, wheel, seat and cubbyhole, stuffed with white tissue. We didn't do it for any special reason. It wasn't his birthday or anniversary. It was just a random Tuesday.

That was Dino.

-          Dino decided once that she wanted to play hooky and go to Six Flags. We both called in sick and we went! She had this CRAZY sense of adventure. She'd try anything once! Every roller coaster; that big Superman thing that hangs you in a chair 40 stories up. I HATED that thing. She laughed and hollered the whole time.

-          Dino was an incredible friend. She would talk to absolutely anyone; in the store, on the street, on a bus, it didn’t matter. She talked to EVERYONE. But she also HEARD everyone. If you told her your story, she kept it for you. Somewhere in her heart she had an endless storage of our stories. She would tell your story back to you any time you needed it or just to make you laugh.  Sometimes, she'd share with you the story of another friend - if it could help YOU.

She knew all of our stories.

-          My father had cancer at the end of 2005. Dino was my soundingboard. She was the person I talked to and cried to. She was there and comforting.

When I had questions, she searched her friends for anyone with an answer. She was always connecting people who could help one another. She had a very magical way of doing that.

When Dad passed, I went to Houston to be with my family. Dino drove down, 250 miles, all by herself. I didn’t even know. She did it just to be at that funeral. Just to be there for ME. And I needed her. Seeing her there was SUCH a relief - a connection to my reality.  She was my rock.

-          For a long time, I thought I was the only person left in Dino's world. I look out here today and I'm overwhelmed; elated, to see all the people she has touched; all these connections. SO MUCH LOVE. 

-          It was difficult, at times, for all of us I'm sure, to understand why one small person, who was so very kind, should suffer so greatly. Regardless of her pain though, she ALWAYS, ALWAYS wanted everyone else to smile. She would do just about anything to share a smile - and pass it on. She literally cheered OUR victories. OUR JOYS brought her happiness.

She was just the most giving, selfless, sweet soul I've ever known.

-          Thank goodness for Little Otis da Pug. Sweet, precious puppy that he is. He was her solace and her purpose these last 12 years. I will always believe he knew what momma was going through and truly cared; precious little pug.

-          Thank goodness also, for dear George. George, there aren't words to express gratitude for all you have done for our Loydean. She would truly have been lost without you. She told me every story of every trip you took. She only ever said kind, fun things about your time together and she understood the depth of your patience. She was grateful for you, I do hope you know.

Finally - and most importantly – we cannot celebrate the life of Dino, without celebrating her as a Mother. Being a mother was her greatest love.  

Dino was a great Mom. There aren't words enough to express how she doted on Jessica. Jess was her REASON for all things; her PURPOSE in life - and she was GOOD at being a mom.

There were sleepovers, birthdays, Christmases. There WERE good, happy times. There was Dance, Drill team, Dale Earnhardt Jr and that Nirvana phase. That first job at Red Lobster, Highschool and College graduation. Vacations, beaches, Sea World, New York and Washington DC.

Dino, as a mom was stern, fair, and fun, and she raised a beautiful, responsible, very well rounded child.

This memorial would not be complete without Jessica's voice:

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My dear friend, I miss you. We had one grand 20 year long conversation. We were whole and honest and open all that time. We had some really, really hard times. We had some damned great, fun, beautiful times too.

I still catch myself wanting to dial the phone - but you're not on the other end of it now.

I know, we ALL KNOW, that you are where you belong, though. You were away from her for far too long.

Please give Jessica a hug for me. Tell her I missed her too.

I'm glad you're up there now, with your Granny and Uncle Lloyd; Momma Marjorie, Junior, Snowball, Dad, Mickey & Moochie.... I know you're in good company and you're finally safe and smiling and able to rest.

Until we meet again, my dearest friend.

I love you to the moon and around and around and right back down to your heart.