I stand here before you today representing the members of Yoko’s book club. These members loved Yoko for many reasons not the least of which was the richness that she added to our lives through her participation in our book club. The women I speak for today are: Lynn Allen, Jean Davidson, Fran Fuller, Yuki Hikida, Leika Kejriwal, Jane Solomon, Judy Teitler, Susie Walz.

Susie composed a poem in memory of Yoko and her participation in our club. I would like to read that poem:

Yoko at Book Group, Yoko our friend

Yoko at the door, flowers from the Farmer’s Market
in hand, a gift for her hostess.
Curling up on the couch, feet tucked beneath.
Quiet, listening.
Insightful, sympathetic.
Fun, fun-loving, funny.
Reflective.
Smiling.
Calm, soft-spoken.
Bubbling with laughter, devilish twinkles in her eyes.
Yoko, writing in her journal, the book for our next meeting.
Yoko, our friend, we will miss you. You will be in our
hearts forever.

<Pause>

I would like to echo the last line of that poem because it certainly reflects what we all feel in our hearts today…

Yoko, our friend, we will miss you. You will be in our hearts forever.

Aline Dawson