Ione Maltin writes:

Subject: Friends

I am honored and blessed to call Barbara my friend. We have had so many good times together and she has stood strong and supportive during many of trials in my life. We have watched our sons grow up to be fine young men. And we have had wonderful "girls only" vacations.

Barbara and I had a "girlfriend" vacation planned for the spring of 2005, a cruise to the Western Caribbean. As we made final plans (we are both list makers and planners) to depart from New Orleans, Barb told me that "something" had shown up on her CAT scan. Trip insurance was purchased, just in case, and plans continued.

Barbara flew out to Nashville to see where I had relocated and we flew to New Orleans together. This was Barbara's first trip to NO and I am so glad we were able to go before the hurricane. We toured and had a great time and then boarded our ship. Barbara bravely swam with stingrays in Grand Cayman (and even planted a kiss on one) and we explored some unsavory areas in Jamaica, eating conch fritters and had wonderful experiences. We are planning our next trip to somewhere warm in February and it is my prayer that it is without any worry of recurrence.

Life must be grabbed and embraced and challenged and lived and there is no one who does this with more flair, zeal and dignity than my friend. Barbara is my hero.

Ione Maltin, Hendersonville, TN