Tributes

... TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOSOM BUDDIES COURAGEOUS TEAM OF ANGELS

"Preserve your memories. They're all that's left you"

SUSAN JACKSON

Even with her energy and health fading, Susan raced with her team in Vancouver and in Dartmouth. She had a great love of reading, music and dance, as well as, Bosom Buddies.

"Her first steps, though cautious, began immediately to reinforce her faith in greater possibilities."

MARGARET CANN

One of the original members of Bosom Buddies, Margaret had a beautiful smile and managed to paddle even while she was quite ill. She designed the team's first brochure, Paddling for Life-Pulling Together.

"The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it in turn will look sourly at you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly, kind companion."

BERNDETTE SCHMID

An active paddler with the South Shore crew, Berndette also raced in Dartmouth and Toronto. The support, friendship and love shown to Berndette by Bosom Buddies was a wonderful part of her life.

"Be strong and courageous for you are not alone."

NORMA GRAHAM

Also an original member, Norma enjoyed her time practicing and racing with her buddies on Lake Banook. Her sense of fairness and social justice will be remembered by all those she knew.

"One of the greatest pleasures in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

JEAN PETERS

An original buddy, Jean was greatly encouraged when she discovered she had the strength to paddle in a dragonboat. She had been challenged by many health problems and couldn’t believe she could do it.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity..it comes from an indomitable will."

MARGO KLEIKER

A co-founder of Bosom Buddies, Margo soon discovered that the group had an energy all of it's own. Margo began our "Circle of Strength" , initially in Vancouver, to help calm us down before our first race. This ritual continues still because it reminds us that together we draw strength from one another and together offer great strength to others.

"Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is a success."

CAROL WOOD CROSSMAN

Carol once said that the first time she paddled in a dragonboat she became "hooked", that "something magical happened." She told us never to lose hope, enjoy every day, keep fit and positive and to learn the facts. Her sense of fun and flair will be remembered always.

"I believe friends are quiet angels who lift our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Angela Vecchio-Ozmon

Angela Vecchio-Ozmon once said "If I can inspire someone to change their life then I have accomplished my mission." Angela expressed regret that she did not have the time and health to paddle longer with her buddies.

"The one thing you cannot bank is time."

GINNY LUCK

Whenever Ginny felt scared or weak she would say to herself " you got it back, so paddle well, work hard, enjoy the feeling and don't let it go. It's not often we get a second chance to do something we love." Ginny always worked hard and dreamt big. Even when her illness claimed her paddling ability, she sat at the front of the boat and encouraged us.

"Above all they are the bravest and the best."

MABEL ARSENAULT

A devoted team player, Mabel drove from Antigonish three times a week to paddle with her team. Her coaching background, amazing strength and strong will made her a true competitor.

"As we go through life, we win some and we lose some, but the true meaning of a person is not how we handle our winnings, but how we cope with our losses."

Eunice Gaskell

Eunice was a Bosom Buddy in the early paddling days. She lead the warm ups aways cheerful and energetic. Eunice's mother, Muriel Smiley, also a breast cancer survivor of 37 years, currently leads her team of family and supporters "Smiley's Connection" every year at the CIBC Run for the Cure.

"Ability is what you are capable of doing, Motivation determines what you do, Atitude determines how well you do it."

SUSANNA PRENTISS

When she joined Bosom Buddies, Susanna brought her paddling ability and contributed her skills in public relations, serving on the team executive. She loved being in nature….. paddling with her friends and found this calmed her spirit. She drew great power from the Circle of Strength.

"It is a fact, that in the right foundation, the lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of any bird flying alone."

BETH COOLEN

She loved to paddle in the fresh air with her buddies. The energy, power, challenge of the sport and friendships were things she enjoyed the most. To Beth, the pink carnation ceremony meant tears, remembering and celebrating life.

"The friends who mean the most to us are those who instead of giving advice, solutions or cures have chosen to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm tender hand."

Shirley Vardy

Shirley truely enjoyed the camaraderie, the exercise of paddling , the chance to explore beautiful Mahone Bay, and the special energy being with a team. In her words:

"No matter what may be happening in our lives, there is always a closeness- sometimes with laughter, sometimes in silence, and this closeness somehow feeds your own strength."

Linda Durling

Linda Durling a.k.a. "Thumper" was an original buddy , the keeper of "Scorch" the dragon, and excellent drummer.

" Hi I like to paddle- it sure keeps me fit.
But I also like drumming- more than a bit.
My drumsticks are ready- they reach to the sun.
And come down real hard when we're under the gun."

Shirley Jollimore-Perry

Shirley AKA "Shirl the Pearl" was an athlete and a gem indeed. She brought to Bosom Buddies a sense of fun and celebration.

"We cannot change the direction of the wind...but we can adjust our sails."

Andrea Harrold

Andrea Harrold had wonderful memories of Bosom Buddies first race in Vancouver. She was proud to be a team member and an athlete. She was committed to the buddies and in her profession. Andrea felt blessed to have been born into such a loving family and lucky to have such great friends. We will always miss her practical manner and quick British humor. " Andrea hopes that we all will continue to beat lane 11."

" Then furl the sail, let fall the oar, forget the paths of foam!
The power that made me wonder far at last has brought me home
To thee, dear haven of my heart, and I no more will roam."

Mary McCarroll

Although not with Bosom Buddies for a long time when it came to learning how to paddle a dragon boat Mary was a "quick study." She was focused, committed and helpful to others.

"I'll never reach my destination, if I never try
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry."

Mary Woodroffe

Mary was a determined committed Bosom Buddy. She contributed tirelessly on committees, was a feisty drummer, and an awesome cheerleader. She appreciated all the care and support she received from her Buddies.

"Deep peace of the running waves. Deep peace of the flowing air. Deep peace of the quiet earth. Deep peace of the shining stars to you."

Rose Bechtel

Our buddy Rose Bechtel had a warm energetic personality and a great love of people. She was a wonderful B.B. contributing much time to listening ,providing comfort, and connecting us to additional resources for breast cancer survivors. She is missed by many.

"The days of wine and roses laugh and run away like a child at play
Through a meadowland toward a closing door
A door marked nevermore ,that wasn't there before"

Kathe LeJeune

An original member of Bosom Buddies Kathe "get er done" LeJeune was passionate and creative. She was a wonderful mentor and friend to many. Memories of her courage ,faith, and sense of fun will always be with us.

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher."

Betty MacDonald

Betty was grateful that she went with her instincts and joined Bosom Buddies as a way of healing. She was proud to be part of a team with purpose, goals, and a drive to accomplish. She served as treasurer and on the finance committee. Support and caring were always there for her and from this she found strength. "It was good for the body and the soul."

"Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing.
It sounds and echoes in my soul,
how can I keep from singing?"