”
No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without
leaving some mark on it forever.
”
– Francois Mauriac
“No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.” – Francois Mauriac
Michelle Costa, who worked for the Gilroy Police Department, and widow Jean Massee were neighbors in Gilroy for 13 years.
Michelle says, “Until moving to Cambria a few years ago, my family and I were blessed to have lived across the street from Jean on Eschenburg Drive. It is hard to put into just a few words all that she meant, and was, to our family.
“For one thing, she was the Go-To gal for all five of us. Brandi and Vanessa knew, for example, that if they ever needed anything while my husband Jeff and I were away at the store or still at work, they could ‘go to’ Grandma Jean’s. And on Halloween, the first place the girls would always ‘go to’ was Grandma Jean’s.
“If I wanted to talk local politics or issues of faith, vent about a stressful day at work, seek advice on raising teen-age girls, enjoy a warm cup of coffee, an encouraging word, or just a motherly smile or hug, I’d go to Jean’s.
“In fact, my family knew that if they couldn’t find me in the house, and my car was still in the driveway, the only place I could or would be was across the street at Jean’s. She was like a mother to me, and I am thankful for every moment I was ever able to spend with her.”
“It was Jean who was there to watch over Brandi and Vanessa, when in 1990, in the wee hours of the morning, I went into labor and Jeff and I left for the hospital to deliver our youngest daughter, Natalie. She was there a few days later to welcome Natalie home as the newest addition to our family and neighborhood, and the crib quilt she made for Natalie is a treasured keepsake.
“She shared in Sunday or holiday dinners and important occasions – happy or sad. Whether it was Natalie’s baptism or first day of kindergarten, Brandi’s Rainbow installation, Vanessa’s driving lessons, or even the funeral of my grandmother – Jean was there with the rest of us.
“Our friendship spanned nearly 20 years, but it seems like it was just yesterday that I shared my first slice of heavenly homemade mandarin orange pie with her in front of the window in her cheery and inviting kitchen.”
Jean passed away recently after struggling with a long illness and Michelle says, “As sad as I am about this day, I must admit that this is not the first time I have cried for Jean. You see, I’ve never gotten used to not having her there nearby, and I don’t think I ever will.
“For the past eight years, a hand-painted mobile of a wooden sea gull has hung from the ceiling in our den, a gift from Jean after spending a very special weekend with us many years ago at our Cambria home. The gull is beautiful, graceful, and seems to not have a care in the world as it peacefully floats from nearly invisible strings.
“The gull is a lot like Jean: a graceful woman whose love and support, although sometimes as subtle as the mobile’s invisible threads, were nevertheless always there; love and support which always made me feel a little better about myself, and a little less worried about whatever was troubling me.
“To me, each and every day, that special gift, given to my family so many years ago, also symbolizes her wonderfully generous ways, and serves as a reminder that, like the carefree bird gracing our den, Jean now exists in a peaceful, truly carefree place of her own: one that remains unmatched by any here on earth.”
