38 Comments
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

A beautiful tribute to an apparently beautiful soul.

I really missed someone special, not having the privilege of knowing her. Thank you for such a poignant chronicling in memoriam of Ann.

Expand full comment
author

The great thing, Bill, is that even folks who didn't know Ann and Roger nevertheless greatly benefitted from their many efforts.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Thank you Bob. This is a lovely tribute to our mother. She loved living in Davis so much and was an avid reader of your column from day one. She often cut out and sent us kids your column when she thought we would enjoy reading it. (So I got a lot of clippings) 😊. Thank you 🙏

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Juliana. Your mother was a living saint.

Expand full comment
Oct 29·edited Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Ann had some role in my getting involved with the school board. I used to do odd jobs at their house on Russell while I was still a grad student at UC Davis. A few times I had seen an old campaign sign in their storage area that Ann saved as a momento from her time on the school board. About 10 years later, I was parenting kids of my own and watching the list of proposed cuts to the school district budget in the spring of 2008. Most of those cuts were extremely worrying to a parent trying to see their kids receive the best possible in public education.

Ann was the first person I called, because she was the only person I knew at that time who had been on the school board. In addition to being upset, I was also a little intimidated by the whole process. She prodded me to go talk to the trustees, to speak up in public comment, to encourage others to do so. That they were not really much different from me. So I started attending school board meetings fairly regularly from that point onward. Luckily for all of us, most of those cuts were rescinded and things worked out, thanks to the school board and the larger community.

Expand full comment
author

And your service has been exemplary, Hiram.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

This is what is meant by = A LIFE WELL LIVED,

Expand full comment
author

Amen.

Expand full comment

The Romani family deserved your nice tribute

Thanks

Expand full comment
author

Yes, Barry, they have meant so much to our town in too many ways to count.

They were the very definition of good neighbors.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Thanks, Bob! Ann was, indeed, a blessing to our town as was Roger and their lovely family. We first met when she was on the school board, and from that time on we were good friends as fellow English teachers and Catholics. I never saw her when she didn't have a glowing smile on her face. Libby and I will miss her and her wonderful smile.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, we all remember that magnetic smile

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Greatly appreciate your wonderful tribute to Ann Romani. I hope to be able to attend the mass on Friday.

Expand full comment
author

That would mean a lot, Cyril.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Beautiful. She was such a wonderful person. I met her when Rebecca was in my 6th grade classroom at WDI. She was always so gracious and kind.

Expand full comment
author

You've described her perfectly, Judy.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

My life is made brighter today just knowing Ann and Roger Romani lived and loved as they did. Such exquisite golden threads in the tapestry of Davis, these extraordinary souls, with boundless hearts for serving their fellow man. May the seeds of lovingkindness they sowed throughout their long years ever bloom in this beautiful world.

Expand full comment
author

So well said, Jannirose.

Imagine if everyone practiced what Ann and Roger did.

What a world this would be.

Expand full comment
Oct 30·edited Oct 30Liked by Bob Dunning

I can surely imagine it, Bob, and do, every day of my life. Years ago when my son Charlie was more verbal, he said, "Our souls of graceful loving will help the world live." I continue to hold hope that one day, we humans will remember what our little guy has never forgotten. Your dear friends knew this well, no doubt, as they lived and breathed what Charlie calls, "Godness." He would've seen Ann and Roger as "Angels on the Earth" through the eyes of his innocent heart.

Expand full comment
author

Those are beautiful words from your Charlie, Jannirose.

So true and straight from the heart.

Thank you

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Thank you, Bob. She was and still is one of my favorite Board members. It was always a pleasure to work with her.

Expand full comment
author

Ann gave true meaning to the term "Public Service."

She served us all so well, but her time on the school board was a mere fraction of the love and kindness and service she spread throughout our town.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Beautiful article, like her. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, a beautiful person in every way.

Thanks, Myrna

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Bob, you wrote a beautiful eulogy to Ann. She has left our little town quite beautiful.

Expand full comment
author
Oct 29·edited Oct 29Author

Indeed, Kathryn.

Ann Romani was a force of nature and a force for good.

We need more like her in today's world.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

What a lovely tribute to Mrs. Romani. My parents knew the Romanis and thought highly of them. I had the pleasure of visiting their beautiful Victorian home many years ago. My condolences to her children.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Catherine.

A wonderful family, indeed.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Was last at St. James for our aunt's, Nancy Henry, service around 2000. May Ann's be uplifting.

Expand full comment
author

We will be celebrating my Sister Jo's life there on Nov. 13.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Beautiful tribute to a beautiful human being

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Brendan.

What a special family they are.

Expand full comment
Oct 29Liked by Bob Dunning

Blessings and peace to her family. 🙏❤️🕊

Expand full comment
author

Blessings indeed.

Expand full comment