Hi, I’m Renée Zukerman. My dear friend and coach Angela Downey has just suffered the sudden and tragic loss of her mother Charlene, who in recent months left her beloved work at Fort Fisher Aquarium to care for Angela’s ailing father Willie. Angela has been by her side as much as possible to support this effort. If you know Angela, you know how deep her sense of love for and commitment to her family is, and you know what a devastating loss this must be. Angela, like her mother and grandmother before her, is dedicated to service and giving. She spreads herself so thin in the interest of improving the lives of others and providing for her family. In recent years she has suffered tragic personal setbacks and has been working hard to rebuild. With deep roots here in Wilmington, she is loved and revered by so many in our community, but her reach goes far beyond. Despite these strong ties, Angela is the consummate independent achiever, never seeking help. She makes it look easy, but we know it’s not. It is my hope and the hope of Angela’s close friends that she and her family may grieve in peace, that Willie may receive the in-home care he needs, without worry over the cost of arrangements and continuing to make ends meet. I know Angela, and she would never ask, so I am asking: Please, anything you can pitch in to help ease her family’s suffering at this time would be so appreciated. If anyone deserves our best, it’s Angela. Thank you for caring.