I simply called her "Stephanie"

How do you go before thousands of people and report the death of a special friend?

I had that undaunting task last week. My friend of 17 years, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died last week suddenly and unexpected of a brain hemorrhage due to an aneurysm.

When we were together there were never any titles, I was simply Romona and she Stephanie and that's just the way we liked it. We laughed a lot.

I first met her years ago when she was Cuyahoga county prosecutor. She and her late husband Meryvin were at a gala at I believe the then Stouffers Hotel.
I was new to town, didn't have a date and didn't know most of the hundreds of people at the event.


She walked over to my table, flashing a big smile and introduced herself and her husband and quickly said; "why are you just sitting here rocking to the music, get up and dance girl." "I don't know anyone most people have dates and there are no single men here, I shyly replied." "Come on she said grabbing my hand and dance with us, we don't care!" There I was on the dance floor with the two of them, just laughing the night a way... and a friendship was born.

I still look at her emails everyday, I can't bring myself to hit the delete button.
The latest one was about my husband. She so wanted to help bring him to Cleveland because she knew I had grown tired of the commuter marriage. She was armed with his resume determined to help him in his job search.

I keep watching and listening to her on my wedding DVD and the beautiful video message she left for me. She was so thrilled for me even though the love of her life of 27-years had passed on.

At the end of her message she tells me she loves me and to call her anytime, no matter where she is, she'll always be there for me.

I get upset during that part, because I can't call her anytime, she's gone.
But through my faith, I know the words she spoke are true. Stephanie will always be here for me and the thousands of peoples lives she touched.

My Fondest Memory of Fannie Lewis

I arrived in Cleveland in January, 1988.
One of the first people to contact me and welcome me to Cleveland was City Councilwoman, Fannie Lewis.

I'll never forget how polite, but direct she was over the phone. She said: "Welcome young lady, do you know about my area, the "Hough neighborhood." I replied, "Yes, I know there were riots and fires there. "Yeah, but there's a lot more to Hough today, " she said, " and I'm gonna show you. I want you to meet me on Saturday and I'm gonna give you a tour of Hough". I remember saying "Okay, all the while thinking, its really cold for an outside tour right now.

But there was Ms. Lewis, waiting for me at our scheduled location, eager for me to see the area she represented. The sun was shinning and the weather actually wasn't too bad that day. I just remember how fast she was walking and how passionate she was about trying to make the area a better place.

I will remember her as a woman who "walked the walk...and talked the talk." What you saw was the real deal... a true fighter for the causes she believed in.

She will truly be missed.