Lorraine Cosgrove Ware

June 15, 1964 – September 25, 2007

My wife and best friend Lorraine Cosgrove was a champion.

Lorraine excelled at skiing, running, sailing, and other pursuits. But, more importantly, she was a bright and persistently generous light, who constantly gave to others even while facing a personal crisis that impacted her daily, but which she met with monumental courage, strength, and dignity.

Lorraine is loved by so many which makes her premature departure greatly sad and unexplainable. I cherish 10 wonderful vivid years with her - thankfully the memories will never leave me.

Lorraine and I enjoyed our first date (and first adventure together) aboard her father's Hunter 30 Imagine. The seas were definitely "angry" that day, but on-board things couldn't have been more peaceful and ideal. It took only the one day to know that I'd found someone special - our sail lasted 10 more years and included so many adventures and memorable days.

She was the most loving wife, daughter, aunt, sister, and friend anyone could possibly have. She was smart, multi-talented, courteous, sincerely caring, funny, mischievous, and on top of all this, always looked sharp if not stunning even after spending a night aboard Mystic.

Armed with her trademark sharp wit, easy smile, and beautiful infectious laugh, Lorraine quietly raised spirits wherever she went - and most definitely always raised mine. To her parents - Linda and Jim, and stepmother Barbara, Lorraine was an especially dear daughter and even close friend. To her siblings Susan, Jimmy and Will, she was a truly devoted and loving sister. To her many nieces and nephews, she was a fun and beloved aunt.

Lorraine - Our time together and memories are priceless and eternal. Disease, time or distance can't diminish my love for you or the memories we share - I love you now and in eternity.

- YLH

A Sampling of Memorable Quotes:

• "Well I'm going to mark my calendar!" (early on, Lorraine's lightening quick reaction to my mocking but still pathetic, tongue-and-cheek attempt to "lure her in" - bragging that I was almost fully vested in the company ESOP)
• "Want a bowl of Captain Crunch?" (Lorraine's first question to me on our first date, posed at approx. 10am, an appropriate time for Captain Crunch)
• "The ability to 'accessorize' separates us from the animals."
  (a playful postscript when offering fashion advice to friends)
  
• "Yes Please!" (always with exaggerated smile, and often with extended arms when offered Kimball's ice cream, her favorite)
• "Wanna do some sit-ups?" (her usual 10 pm ritual, too late for me, but she enjoyed checking)
• "Are you jumpin' in Mr. Tanman?" (once posed to a snowboarding youngster wearing tan snow suit, about to enter a half-pipe)
• "Let's hit it!" (another ski expression, encouraging the group to attack the hill.)
  
• "Get out!" (as Seinfeld's Elaine would say, Lorraine was also expert at the "Elaine bad dance")
• "hun, hun, hun!" (if Mystic healed excessively)
• "Who wants some happy apple pancakes!" (her favorite breakfast delicacy that was as much fun to talk about as it was to make and enjoy)
  
• "Love bug sweety?" (she sometimes said to wake me, we were never big on pet names but Lorraine's delivery was unforgettable)
• "Merci blah blah..."
  

Well the sun is surely sinking down
But the moon is slowly rising
So this old world must still be spinning round
And I still love you

So close your eyes
You can close your eyes, its all right
I don't know no love songs
And I can't sing the blues anymore
But I can sing this song
And you can sing this song
When I'm gone

It wont be long before another day
We gonna have a good time
And no one's gonna take that time away
You can stay as long as you like

- James Taylor ("You Can Close Your Eyes")

I love you Lorraine Cosgrove