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Memorial Expenses for Libi Warren

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On Feb 27 around 1pm my grandma Libi Warren passed away. While our family wasn't able to be with her in her last moments we called via Zoom on Wednesday evening and we were able to send our love to her that way.

Libi was a feisty, strong-willed, loveable pain-in-the-ass, beautiful, creative, zany woman. I aspire to have even an ounce of her couldn't-give-less-shits-about-what-anyone-thinks attitude. In her youth she was a dancer and she also was a prolific poet and comedienne. She was very encouraging of my (and my sister's) creative pursuits and I remember her cheering "Bravo! Bravo!!!" from the audience after some of our childhood theatrical performances with the Virginia Avenue Project.

She also had a very difficult life, battling mental illness, going thorough two divorces, and even experiencing homelessness at different points. But she was an incredibly resilient woman. When she was around, she was a force to be reckoned with and always the center of attention. Her cackle could be heard a mile away. She always has some characteristic quip like "Roses are red, violets are blueish, if it weren't for Jesus, we'd all be Jewish".

She was not the most religious woman, but she was a deeply spiritual person and we would have interesting theological conversations from time to time. I always appreciated how we could talk about God as a Catholic and Jew and find plenty of common ground. I still have memories of her saying the Hebrew prayers while lighting the menorah for Hanukkah in my youth and even taking me to temple. She was also fond of Fr. Francis, a priest up at St Andrew's Abbey who was a friend of hers some time ago. She wished he wasn't a priest. As it turns out, my grandmother's will detailed her wishes to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at the Abbey, and for Fr. Francis, along with a rabbi to perform prayer services together.

My grandma had BYE (big yenta energy) and almost every time she called, one of the first things she would ask is if I had a man in my life and would then begin to go on about how we could go about finding me one.  This was also commonplace behavior for my sister, and for my cousin Jen, her niece as well. 

In her last few years, she lived at the Serenity Recuperative Care home where she was well loved and I had the opportunity to visit her often. I would pick her up and take her to Chinese food or Descanso Gardens or even to pick up a pack of cigarettes (reluctantly). She smoked religiously for lack of other devotions, even to the end of her life.

In one of her last texts to me she was reading Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks and sent me this: "'Friendship isn't how long you know someone. It's about who walks into your life, says 'I'm here for you' and then proves it'". Isn't that delightful?" I'm so grateful for our friendship and I am heartbroken that she's gone from this world. I had the opportunity to see her body today, which was incredibly hard, but I'm glad I got to say goodbye, anoint her forehead with blessed oil and tell her "I love you and I hope you're dancing with the angels now". It occurred to me that today is the Jewish Sabbath, and today she entered into eternal rest.

Rest in peace, Grandma.
March 29, 1940 – February 27, 2021

Your contribution to this fundraiser will help to cover the costs of cremation, her memorial, and other expenses that impact our family at this time. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity. 

Sincerely,

Jessica Gerhardt (Libi Warren's granddaughter)

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    Co-organizers (2)

    Jessica Elizabeth Gerhardt
    Organizer
    South Pasadena, CA
    Jen Coken
    Co-organizer

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