To our beloved that are no longer earthside ❤️
Laura Ann Evans
If you ask Coeli who her real best friend was in elementary school, the honest answer would be her maternal grandmother, Laura. Laura spent hours and hours after school teaching Coeli how to tole paint, sew, quilt, cook, and keep a home the ‘old school’ way (washing baggies? who knew!). The hours listening to Andy Williams and pinning quilt squares with her grandma will never be forgotten. She also faithfully enrolled in and drove Coeli to vacation bible school every summer to spend time with her. Laura taught Coeli (nicknamed Punkin Tail and Stinky by Laura) how to do things ‘the right way’ when it came to artistic projects, and to take her time with painting and sewing–something she still doesn’t do very well. Coeli misses her sloppy joes, Frescan orange juice, and keeps her red horse and “creepy” doorstop to the sewing room where they spent all their time together in her room to keep her in mind always.
Mary Margaret Cecilia (O’Brien) Ayres
The life of the party, and the spunk that gave the family tree some fire–she’s Coeli’s paternal grandmother. If you knew Mary, you knew how she felt about you–no question. She was genuine down to her bones and would never leave you without the best advice you didn’t know you needed that day–or a quip you’d never forget (“MISS CHARM SCHOOL!”). Her faith, endless prayer, and living outloud made everyone around her feel her presence in the best way. A devout lover of all things colorful and Dean Martin, she passed on her love of Corn Flakes (in a mug!) and Coke (with a bendy straw!) to Coeli. An Irish mother through and through, we all felt her protective (territorial?) love for all of us and miss her antics every day.
John “Ken” Kenneth Ayres
The man who always popped in with soothing advice and a Hershey bar before you could even tell him you needed either, was Ken. The quiet, steady, and devoted grandfather and father that is Coeli’s paternal grandfather was a force to be reckoned with. His faith in God was contagious to the end and his loyalty and devotion to his wife is a model for all. Coeli loved talking with him about classic cars and hearing stories of his life raising her dad and uncles. His gentle manner and kind word for everyone is something Coeli looks to have for others (even though she tends to take after Mary more 😉 ). “No, O’Douls!”
Ross Richmond
Coeli’s “uncle” Ross that instilled in her a deep love of Costco, Eddie Izzard, and (the original) Kaldi’s Brownies. He will always be remembered for his infamous flamenco dancing and delivery of Dove bars when she was very sick. Ross always went out of his way to show his love, whether it was his timely delivery of Corky’s BBQ sauce and Aldi’s cheese curls or randomly sending you RC helicopters when college was kicking your butt. The Ayres kids think of him always, and miss him daily. Sledding in the winter on our LL Bean toboggans from him reminds us of all the ways he showed up for us over the years. We’re wearing cargo shorts and crocs in our heads in his honor. Yes, Uncle Ross, Graham’s a TIGER and makes relish in his basement (IYKYK).
Marc Houseman
Coeli’s “uncle” that was her dear buddy during her formative years in Washington, Missouri. Marc was a warm, welcome hug after school and a dependable distraction when she needed to disappear into the history museum with her mom for a few hours. His love of the 3 Stooges and macabre ability to discuss death in a humorous manner will always stick with her (he was a former undertaker). He always had a polite smile and kind word for everyone–not to mention the best stories and most random shenanigans to report on. Life got heavy in those days, and going to hear the latest crazy story he had to tell was something she could always count on when she needed it most. She toasts to him with a Sun Drop whenever she finds them and misses him dearly every day. “Museum, Marc speaking!”
Andrew Hinnah
The sparkle that kept Coeli going, was her friend Andrew. Coeli met him in middle school chess club and went on to play in high school orchestra with him where they both played upright bass. Between technical theatre and ProStart cooking school, and choir, they spent many, many years together taking on the world and debating Cher, music, theatre, and cooking techniques. Andrew is thought of fondly by Coeli every day when she puts basil on her eggs each morning –something they discovered in cooking school to be delicious. If he were here today, he’d remind us all to be kind and listen no matter what because everyone has their own demons to battle. A kind word costs nothing, and Coeli took that to heart walking the halls with him hearing him compliment everyone as he passed. Coeli can still hear him say “You’re looking FAHHBULOUS DAHHHLING!!” when she was down on herself…or simply fighting with a bechamel that wouldn’t thicken. Forever the Sweet Basil “King” and Glitterati <3