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Health & Fitness

Remembering My Friend Anamarie

Anamarie was an amazing wife, mom, and friend.

Anamarie Neveau. When I think of Anamarie I can’t help but think of her famous effervescent smile. It was beautiful and so was she.

I first met Anamarie on the sidelines of a Mustang soccer or Scorpion lacrosse game in Danville. I had heard nice things about her as our husbands worked together at the Fremont Fire Department. We were at a point in our lives where the children were too big to be hanging out at the firehouse with their dads for dinner or visiting Santa at Christmas, therefore we had not met one another yet. Instead, we had five children between our two families and loads of their many activities to occupy our time. I looked forward to the upcoming sports’ seasons and getting to know her and her husband and children better. 

What did I learn? Though she had beautiful brown hair and skin she was a shade-seeker just like myself. She had a mellow persona and had positive energy. She was close with her children. I know this because Whitney, her daughter, hung out on the sidelines to cheer for her brother on a consistent basis. I’m sorry, unless you have a particularly close bond with your children, no teenager is hanging out with mom on a Saturday afternoon. And again on Sunday. In the heat, no less.

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I also know family was important because her son spoke highly of his mom and allowed her to joke and tease him and cheer for him on the sidelines. She would wear her big straw hat and sunglasses and cheer for that boy like no one’s business. And when he had problems with his leg she was there on the sidelines, supporting him while he was standing alongside the players with his crutches. And her husband would stroll in just as the game was starting as he’d been off doing his thing. She’d smile and greet him warmly. Their marriage was one that projected goodness. And I know family was important because there was talk of cousins and dinners and parties. Lots of them.

Anamarie was kind-hearted too. And generous. She was a reliable carpool mom as we carted our boys to and from practices. And she was a mean holiday cookie baker as my stomach well remembers. She was caring. I know this because she’d met my parents over the years. As my dad battled cancer Anamarie would chat and visit and make them feel welcome. The last game my dad attended due to his worsening cancer, she sat with the entire time. Whenever I saw her after that the first thing out of her mouth was, “How’s your dad doing?” In return, she had made an impression on my parents and they would always ask about her.              

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Just before Father’s Day nearly five years ago Anamarie left us all too soon because of a ruptured brain aneurysm. It was very unexpected and shocked her family, co-workers, the fire department, soccer and lacrosse teams, the local school and neighborhood families and more. I remember having to call my parents and tell them. My dad moaned when he heard and my mom was grieved. The death of our lovely beautiful Anamarie was cruel. Everyone agreed.

Nearly five years ago, another young vibrant woman, Cindy Sherwin, was training for an Ironman race. While biking she suddenly suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm and died. The “Team Cindy” organization was formed in her memory.

When I learned of the opportunity to participate in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon for “Team Cindy,” raising money for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation I read about Cindy and immediately thought of Anamarie. I knew right away I wanted to participate. I wanted to raise money and awareness for the only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures.

I wanted to make both Cindy’s family, and Anamarie’s family know that maybe lives will be saved with the monies raised.

That is my hope.

Together we can make a difference.

Please donate.

To donate or learn more about  The Brain Aneurysm Foundation please go to this link:

http://bafound.donorpages.com/TeamCindy2012/KathleenDillingham/

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