Loving memories of a great friend, citizen

My friend died last week, and I have to write this because nobody should ever pass and not have somebody who loved them tell the world what a loss death can be.

We write about all our gripes and we complain about all our sad politicians who seem to get us in one mess after another, but when God comes in makes final decisions, we must take his actions with grace and resolve. I and many others knew Shirlee Tripp what seems like all my life from being a waitress at the Korner Kitchen, a bus driver, a teacher and administrator, a bowler, a security guard in her last home in Las Vegas, an avid baseball fan, a devoted football fan who liked a good wager, a traveler of this wonderful world and an independent woman who took, like it says in the Bible, great care of her mother but above all a loyal gracious dependable friend.

This life was full.

If you ever knew Shirlee, you could not help but enjoy her and include her in your life.

I had that great pleasure. She always cared about Round Lake and still got the paper so she would know what was going on. This was a woman who touched so many, always ready for a good joke but kind beyond words. We will all miss our friend Tripp and this hollow in my heart will never be filled because few can measure up to this woman.

Andrea Baczek

Gurnee