Honoring My Friend Fern...

Fern has been mentioned here numerous times since our first, fortuitous meeting just six months after moving to the Sierra.

On October 18, 2012, I had the pleasure, and great honor, of meeting three of the South Lake Tahoe Movers & Shakers (Joan Young, Fern Riley, and Betty Mitchell). Of course we were gathered for a Volunteer Appreciation dinner for the Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Somehow, I was lucky enough to sit next to a kindred spirit, Fern.
Over the last almost 14 years we made some very incredible memories together and I have loved every moment of our friendship.

Fern moved off the hill a few years ago and in April she will be celebrating her 99th birthday. We had a phone conversation last month and she mentioned her dream of having her name on a gold leaf on the Barton Hospital Tree of Life while she was still alive. I'll explain the tree later, but the honor has always been reserved those who have passed. Fern and I agreed that honors should be bestowed while the recipient was still around to know that the recognition was given.

That evening, right after Fern and I spoke, I attended the Holiday in History event and ran into a woman who I knew was involved with Barton Auxiliary. She knew Fern and knew that Fern's credentials warranted a "Leaf on the Tree". Carol said that I had spoken to the right person and, long story short, yesterday was the mounting of Fern's Gold Leaf.
When Fern and I spoke about all of this, her main emphasis was the permanent acknowledgement of the "Famous Cheese Balls". Fern moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1981 to own a hotel. She instantly jumped in with both feet and volunteered for many organizations but it was with the Barton Hospital Auxiliary where her most unique contribution lives on and will continue so in aeternum.
In 1987, while serving as the group's corresponding secretary, Fern attended a convention and through a chance meeting, she befriended a woman whose hospital had a very successful fundraiser making, and selling, cheese balls for the holidays. The woman shared the recipe. Fern brought it to Barton, and the rest is fiscally successful history. She is incredibly proud of this contribution to our community and when Carol produced the to-be-mounted leaf with the title "Founder of the Famous Cheeseballs" we all knew Fern would be so delighted.
As for this special mounting location, "The Tree of Life is a way for the community to honor loved ones, celebrate caregivers, or support cancer care with engraved leaves, symbolizing hope and remembrance while funding vital health initiatives and technology for the Lake Tahoe community. It's a philanthropic opportunity to express gratitude, commemorate lives, and contribute to advanced care.
I am just so thoroughly amazed by Carol's ability to make this happen for Fern, and for the Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, for recognizing the urgency and the purpose of this leaf mounting.

It was only a week or so ago that I informed Fern that her wish was coming true. She was incredibly touched. Before even leaving the hospital parking lot, I sent her these photos. She was so truly honored. She will leave a forever lasting memory in my life, and now, because of a team of Fern Fans, South Lake Tahoe will have Fern forever in a place she so greatly loved. Wow.

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