I Remember Marcia -Patti Miles

I remember Marcia (as we knew her) when she was in 8th grade at St. Mary's School in Riverdale and I was in 5th grade at the same school. Marcia was a cheerleader for St. Marys and us younger girls idolized her. She was so beautiful but didn't let her beauty get in the way of her loving personality. Marcia was dating my older brother, Wayne, when my Mom gave birth to my sister, Marie. Marcia and Wayne became Marie's Godparents and for years stayed in touch with the family even after she no longer dated Wayne. I remember the trip our family took to California to spend with the Bertrand family at their new home in Beverly Hills after they left the Chicago area. The whole family was a joy to be with and I'm sorry for all the sadness Marcia had to endure. I'm glad to know that Debbie and Raleigh are still around. I've thought about them and wondered...my heart goes out to the family. God takes the good people first.....Marcia Bertrand is at the top of that list...with love,

Patti Miles Smith, Jacksonville, Florida

Unforgettable! - Gina Hall

Marcha, I grieve for you. I love you. You were a giving, loving, and a compassionate woman and I was so blessed to have had you in my life. You helped my mother find hope and peace when she was dying and for that I will be forever grateful. You made me feel so loved when I should have felt empty and alone. You, Debbie and your families gave my siblings and me reassurance that we still had a family no matter how broken we felt inside. Thank you. I will treasure those memories forever. When my grandparents passed, we found numerous letters from you (they saved everything). Marcheline you wrote, "Weep, but briefly, for your loved ones as they enter into the Kingdom of God for they shall possess a joy and peace that is unattainable on God's earthy realm. Rather, rejoice in their everlasting and total happiness for their eyes have seen God". May Angie and Jamie find comfort in this prayer. My love and prayers go out to all the lives that you have touched. Give my mother and grandparents a kiss for me. You will be in my heart always.

Gina Hall ~ Hickory Hills, IL

A God Daughter - Marie Miles

Photo: Marcheline with God Daughter Maria Miles


HEAVENLY GOD MOTHER

LAST NIGHT I SAT ON MY FRONT STEP IN THE COLD WINTER'S EVE.

I LOOKED OUT OVER THE LAKE - A QUIET NIGHT

EVERYTHING STILL EXCEPT MY BREATH FLOATING IN THE AIR

IN MY SOLITUDE I SAID TO HER

MARCHELINE, I ALWAYS THOUGHT WE WOULD MEET AGAIN

JUST THEN IT BEGAN TO LIGHTLY SNOW

I REALIZED SHE WAS WITH ME - ALL AROUND ME

THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD I SEE IS PART OF HER

AND IT'S NOT THAT I WILL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN

FOR I SHALL SEE HER WHEN I TOO AM DONE WITH THIS LIFE

MARIE MILES
MARCHELINE'S GOD DAUGHTER

MY Sympathies -David Jasnoch

After my beloved grandmother died three years ago I had answered the phone late one evening; it was my cousin Marcheline offering her condolences and words of comfort. She told me how she felt when her Grandmother passed. Before passing the phone to my mom she told me how much my grandmother had always meant to her, and that she would always be with me in my heart. She seemed to always have the right words to say. I extend my sympathy to Marchelines children James and Angelina and grandchildren, Maddox, Zahara, and Shiloh,her brother Raleigh, and his son Francis, her sister and my beautiful cousin Debbie who also brought our family comfort after grandma's passing along with her husband, Ron and children Chris (Lisa), Cory, Angela, and beautiful new grand-daughter Ava. May God Bless your families.

Your Cousin,
David M. Jasnoch (Kaptur)

Back Home - Alison Edington

I am very saddened by the loss of Marcia. My heart goes out to everyone whose life she touched. I will always remember her warmth and generosity to my mother and grandparents (especially while my mother was so ill), and her unconditional love for everyone she came in contact with. My childhood memories of Woodside Ranch and the family gatherings at my grandparent’s house will always be cherished.

Alison Edington, Glendale Heights , IL

Our Hearts - Karen Jasnoch

Marcheline your letters and thoughtfulness over the years meant a lot to us. Thank you for always thinking of our Mother, and your God Mother, Eleanor Kaptur. You touched the hearts of many, and are now safely home in the presence of God, and your mom and dad.

Karen Kaptur Jasnoch ~ Palos Park, Illinois

A Cousin -Marian Ziegler

I am Marian Kaptur Ziegler, cousin of Marcia. My Mother, Eleanor Kaptur was Marcia's Godmother, she loved Marcia and her family very much. When Marcia visited our family many years ago, she whispered something in my Mom's ear which caused her to become teary eyed. After Marcia left, we asked her what she whispered and my Mom said that Marcia was pregnant. She was pregnant with Jamie.

One of my Mom's most cherished photos was her and Marcia when she was about 18 during our visit to Marcia's family in California. I now have that photo and it brings back fond memories.

Marcia brought much joy and happiness to my Mom, especially in my Mom's later years. I am sure that Marcia is among the angels in heaven waiting to be joined with the rest of her earthly family.

Love and prayers to Marcia's family and to all that love her.

Marian Kaptur Ziegler
Portage Michigan, Formerly of Riverdale, Illinois

A beacon of Light - JC

We have never met but I have been sending you prayers everyday, to you and your family since 2005 when I first noticed your daughter's humanitarian work. I was wondering what had brought her up to be so aware of the plights and sufferings of the voiceless. After I read her book I seemed to get more understanding - it was her mother. Life passes but Love endures.

Shalom to all!

JC (Floriane-Marie)
London, England

She Was The Wine! - Bill Day

Marcheline was a benevolent force in many lives, including my own. To see her end up such a tragic figure is unaccetable. For some of us, the long winter freeze is over and the big thaw has begun. Let us all take this opportunity to know the best course forward is to avoid the path of unforgiveness lest we tempt the same fate.

I held my own memorial down by the ocean. I blew a kiss out to sea and said, "Ciao, Bella." On my way home, a smile suddenly came to my face. She was the wine!

Bill Day - Los Angeles

An Old Friend - Javier Moro

I lived in L.A for five years and thanks to Marche I never felt I was too far away from home. She was my family there, always caring, always present. She had a big heart and thanks to her I could live one of the most beautiful adventures of my life. I tought I had never thanked her enough for it and was planning to visit her in a near future, to show her my kids, and my gratitude again. To tell her that she is part of the better memories of my life and that I always will be thinking of her. Maybe se can still hear me from somewhere in heaven, where she deserves to be.

Javier Moro (Madrid, Spain)

I RODE THE BUS WITH HER

I was privileged to sit with Marcia (as she was known to us) on the bus going to school at Elizabeth Seton Catholic High School during Freshman year, as she was from St Mary's Parish in Riverdale, & I also lived in Riverdale, but had graduated from Queen of Apostles School, which was also in Riverdale. My thoughts & prayers will be with Marcia's family, Angelina & James & the children & others close to her.

Marilyn Alfano Knickrehm, Northlake, IL