Bien, I miss you. I remember your glowing presence so clearly. Thinking of you with love on your birthday.

Today I light a candle in memory of Bienvenida who lit up so many lives,

I am remembering Bien today, the beautiful light in her eyes and warm smile.

Oh Bien... technology is only great as long as it works... I have this wonderful picture that I would love to share inline, of you and Seb when you visited in Tournon and brought him back the Scouts cap he had left at your place in a previous life... Your smile is radiant, his eyes can't believe what you're handing to him... but my scanner is O3 (that's Out Of Order in french)... Yet, that scene happened, so much like you and your caring friendship. I was there... and that image is alive and well in our hearts.

I can still see my granddaughter Kodi's growing relief when Bien accompanied us clothing shopping and diplomatically rejected my choices for Kodi. Instead, she and Kodi conferred and eventually presented me with other options more suitable, in Kodi's words, to modern times.

I miss Bien's guiding presence every day.

Happy, Happy Birthday Dear Bien. It is difficult to write a tribute. You were such a part of my life from a very early age. You always spoke directly to me as if you saw me, even when I did not see myself. You understood and embraced my earnestness, which was a gift. You gave me so many gifts. I loved our chats. When the party echoed in the next room, I would find myself sitting next to you chatting - about life, love, being a foreigner, and so much else. Thank you. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you. Your kindness, joy, sassiness, care, and love were a true gift. I miss you!

Bien had such a kind and loving way of connecting to the world. One time I came home with Paz after school and she was sitting on a stool in the kitchen meditating. She was sitting in a sunspot. This made perfect sense because she radiated warmth and joy. When she would pick up Paz and Sarah after school and we were so giggly when we would ask if I could come to the house. She always said "yes". Sometimes we would eat curly fries on the way home. She always greeted us with love. When she would say my name and smile , it made me feel special-Iike she was telling a secret. Love to Bien, Paz, Sarah, and Larry

This terrible loss of my very dear friend for over forty years is beyond words... yet I hope that between the lines of this poem, all that we shared will be remembered and cherished.

"It is not the ones who threw roses on your grave
who realize your life didn't die...
it's the ones you rode the roller coaster with,
the ones who you made love with,
it's the children who learned from you
to laugh exactly the way you do...

they are were your life went."

Joseph Pintauro

Many Prayers to The Ochs family.

I did not know Mrs. Ochs, I went to middle school with her daughter Sarah. She was a great friend in middle school and was one of the first friends I was able to reconnect with on Facebook. If Sarah and Paz are an inkling of the person Mrs. Ochs was, then I know she must have been an amazing woman. Her light carries on in her daughters and family. Blessings and Prayers to your family. Healing to your hearts.

In Remembrance

Once she said to me,
"I'm Bienvenida and
so are you." She grinned
when I smiled at
her cleverness - this artist,
thinker, pharmacist,
mother, sister,daughter, wife,
extraordinary
friend. I'll forever cherish
her wit and welcoming way.

To the entire Ochs family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our hearts and prayers. 
Love, The Graham Family and The Zacharias Family

We will always love, honor and miss you, Bienvenida!
Here's a link to the obituary that your family so lovingly wove together:

http://www.richmond.com/obituaries/article_ecb92955-ceba-5b9d-9698-6bf4cc2b51a6.html

On behalf of Heartland Hospice family, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family upon the death of your love one. May he memories and laughter of times you've shared together give you comfort and peace always. The ones we love never leave us, as they forever live in our hearts forever.

It is an honor to have known and hugged Bienvenida. Such a warm, loving woman. Her artistic skills made our world more beautiful. Her love will surely live on. Larry, Paz and Sarah, may your memories be a comfort.

I remember both, Bienvenida and Larry, back in the early 80's when our family had just arrived to USA for health reasons from my country Argentina. Maybe because of our language, we befriended the Ochs family. I do not remember where or how. Maybe because Paz, Sarah and Julian were friends and similar in age. They, Larry and Bienvenida, were both part of the "village" that helped raise my son and support our family in times of need, in the midst of so much life challenges.

Her loss is like the loss of an elder, a reference post or landmark, that makes our journey now more difficult to follow. There is a quality of tribe in those who share our lives, that helps to identify who we are now, and where we have come from, bringing up memories hidden for ages.

I remember both, Bienvenida and Larry, attending all the concerts we organized for fundraising to pay the bills of Carlos's medicine and treatment for his kidney transplants.

I remember both, at John McCutcheon legendary concerts, to benefit the RPEC, and so many other events, we shared, and celebrated and cried.

I remember both, Bienvenida and Larry, at every Satsang at my home, when I used to live in Douglasdale Rd, after i separated from Carlos, the last Sunday of the month, we had a potluck, we chanted kirtan, and socialized, we meditated...that was way back in 1989 maybe, even before i even dreamed of being a yoga teacher, although i held the Satsangs at home. Not one they missed. With her i felt right at home. A home away from home.

I am glad i met you Bienvenida. I am sad you are gone. It is hard to get used to life cycles of life and death, and will honor your memory by laughing more, being more authentic as you were, outspoken and bold, compassionate and loving, being present, being strong. We need role models in life, i am thankful for your presence in my life. nora

Bienvenida will always be the beautiful presence that I remember growing up in Church Hill. Her radiant smile, gentleness, and love of children. Her humor and stories about San Francisco and the Hell's Angels neighbor that looked after her young family. As an adult, I was lucky enough that Bienvenida let me write a story about her art conservation work for Style magazine. Later she restored a folk art painting for me and made it beautiful. I'm glad that I witnessed her intelligence, precision and wit, as well as her beauty. My heart aches for her family. I will make a contribution in Bienvenida's honor. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can do.