Aune will be missed. She already is...More than anyone I know. She saw things in a way that made here laugh. It helped her through tough times. It helped others through theirs...She was rebel when rebellion wasn't cool. Her graciousness caught people by surprise. Her charm was warming. She truly loved people and welcomed their company. She laughed at all of my jokes. She was my friend. Her ability to be a friend, by no means made her weak. No, no, no...She was a hard working, tough woman. She once chased a man who had stolen her purse. She knocked him down and got her purse. He left with bloody knees without the purse! She had SISU. Another guy tried to mug her in New York City. Poor fool. She, without hesitation, turned and pushed him hard through a plate glass window. In Finland, while babysitting, the father of the children came home drunk and angry, threatening his children...She got a frying pan, bonked him on the head, knocked him out and called the cops, done deal...Who needs Batman!!! This lady was 100% herself. Batman hides behind a mask!!! When I started dating Rita, she told me to go to the back to pick her up for dinner. This was her parent's home...I met them both...From that evening on and for several years, I was known as "Backdoor Man". Over the years, whenever I would visit Annes's home; I would notice scraps of paper around the house. On them would be little sentences written by Anne referring to family events or traits. I would sketch a cartoon to illustrate or characterize them, and just leave it for her. I just did it and didn't think much about it. Years latyer, Rita told me that Aune had said to her, "You don't know what Jeff and I have been doing". She then brought out a box with the cartoons we had produced over the years. She had saved them all. That's why I loved her. She was an original, bona fide, 100% example for others, to be imitated, but never duplicated. What a character. She was surprising in her responses, progressive in her thinking, and she taught us all how to make people feel welcomed. COFFEE & BULLA. When she checked out on the 29th of May (and this point is perhaps the most important)...Her last words were "I love you", something she had not said very ofter to anyone in her life. I think she was saving it for the right time...She did not take this lightly. They say all good actors, musicians, and especially comedians are masters of timing...They ain't didly squat. This lady's last words were "I love you" whispered in her daughter's ear. It was the only time that Rita had heard her say such a thing. I believe that she was talking through Rita's ear to all of us that loved her. What a beautiful human being she was. I will miss her. I'll bet GOD is proud of this soul. If he isn't, he is an unfit Father. She left a message on her way out. "I love you", three words; the best last words that anyone could possibly say. I hope that I will have half the presence of mind that Aune showed in her graceful, dignified last trek. She accomplished her last motherly duty; to reunite the family. She didn't want any conflicts between us. What happens now is up to us. As Aune would say, "NOW STOP CRYING".