How do I start a tribute about my Mother, the most important person in my life. She was such a joy to me and everyone that met her. She had a contagious laugh that you couldn't help but laugh with her.

There are so many funny stories of her live. The one that popped in my head is we were going to church and we stopped at a red light. Mom looked over at the sign on the corner and read "Sleep Ease, the mattress professionals". She said "I can do that job!" I told her she didn't have to get a job.

When the Malaysia airplane went missing we heard it on the news over and over again. The next day we went to Bob Evans and she looked up and said "there's the plane they have been looking for. We laughed so hard.

She could not walk in a room and not be the center of attention. Her smile would like it up. Oh how she loved to flirt with the men. She had to talk to every one of them when we went out to eat and they all made a big fuss over her. She would eat it up.

I used to take her to happy hour with my friends. We would just boost her up on a bar stool and she would be one of the girls. One time one of the girls had a bunch to say so she kept talking and talking. After a while Mom said "there is a little too much talking here and not enough listening!" It was so funny. I am so happy that I got her love of laughter and sense of humor. I have been told I will be just like her when I get to be her age. What a complement.

I have been worried about her passing for 46 years since my Dad died. I thank God for each of those years. I was lucky enough to have her live with me for several years and we had a lot of quality time. It's hard to believe that we started out with 11 of us. Five are in Heaven and the other 6 waiting to join them. What a great day that will be when we are all reunited.

I love you Mom more than I can ever say. Thank you for all of the many blessings you gave me. Thank you God for letting me be one of the truly lucky people that were brought into this world by the amazing Emil and Irene Parvensky.

Anna

There aren't many people who can say that their mom used to be a nun. I would always use that as one of my "fun facts" about myself during introductions for classes. There are so many things I could say about my mom, like how her face would light up when you would bring her chocolate or ice cream. She could not have been more loved. She brightened a room and could make everybody laugh. I asked her once how she survived having nine children and she responded "it was really just a blur." It was a blessing just to have known her and amazing to have had her as a mother. I love her more than words could say and will miss her every day.