It is very hard to believe, but it has now been 2 months since our dear Hydeus transitioned to her next journey. We have heard from so many of you and received your generous donations for her memorial project, and EVENTUALLY you will receive an appropriate acknowledgment, but for now, know that we are so very appreciative of all the support and gifts that have come our way�prayers (and we have all had incredible peace because of them), gifts of time, food, presence, flowers, talents, lodging, meals and meals and meals, hugs, cards, money, friendship and anything I might have forgotten to mention. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have each made a huge positive difference in this journey of craziness.

Before anything else, I want to remind you to go to the site that Lee created that continues to have updated pictures and notes and reminders of Hydeus. Just click on this web site

http://www.thejazzcat.net/blog/_archives/2005/7/21/1059292.html

or type it into your web bar and then click on the icon next to Hydeus name. As you go through the site, click on each area that says to click on it and you can hear her in concert and read great articles. If you get lost, just click the back arrow and it will take you back to the first page. If you have troubles�email me. Enjoy!!

We did have three wonderful services for her�a rosary at the funeral home that was conducted by a long time friend, Brian Finegan, who did an outstanding job of helping everyone to understand the ceremony and enjoy the peaceful time. Weber Iago, a long time friend of Hydeus, and a fabulous jazz pianist played for the ceremony.

The following day we had a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr. Barry Brunsman and coordinated by our dear friends Karen and Philip Lips. It was at the Church In the Forest, on the school property where all of the girls went to high school. Three dear jazz musician (and personal) friends played jazz music that was so beautiful�Pete Lips, a best friend/surrogate brother, who coordinated all of the music for the ceremonies, Bif Smith, a dear friend, colleague and former teacher of Hydeus and Patrick Tregenza, drummer extra ordinaire, colleague and friend. Aimee Puentes, a long time childhood through adulthood friend and an accomplished opera vocalist, graced us with an amazing rendition of The Lord�s Prayer. Spence Myers accompanied Hydeus� final journey with fabulous bag pipes.

Following the Mass we had a Celebration of Life at a local hotel. Lee and Jenny spent hours and hours coordinating the celebration and putting together film of Hydeus� early life and her more recent performances. Many people spoke of their journey with Hydeus. Heather and Hydeus� friend Kelly Thornberry Majid set up amazing alters in Hydeus� memory. Several jazz musicians graced us with music�Steve Robinson and Eddie Mendenhall, among them. Thank you everyone�hopefully I didn�t forget anyone. I�m sure I probably did.

If you were there and we missed seeing you, thank you for coming. If you were not able to come, know that your thoughts and prayers were felt. So many family and friends of Hydeus, ours, Lee�s were with us�thank you to everyone.

In the spring we will have a family celebration to scatter her ashes at sea and also to bury a portion in the local cemetery in Monterey.

We are still finalizing the memorial in her honor. It will be through the Monterey Jazz Festival and will go toward youth music. We will let you know what the final arrangement is. We also hope to have a small memorial at Stevenson School (her high school) and USC , where she was working on her Master�s in Vocal Jazz and Composition.

We are all doing fairly well�everyone a little differently. Lee moves forward and will go to New York this next week for the International Jazz Educators Institute that he and Hydeus attended last year and Hydeus loved so very much.http://www.thejazzcat.net

Tom and I and Jenny and Heather, Rick and Cash went to a beach house for Christmas Eve, Christmas and another day. It was a perfect diversion. Everyone has his/her moments of sorrow and many moments of fond, fun memories.

The final week Hydeus was with us was a week of the full moon that she was outside enjoying at 3:00 AM!!! The 2 full moons that have come since have her name all over them. Enjoy her memory as you go through life noticing each full moon.

Jenny is back in New York. Heather and Rick and Cash are a busy little family�Cash is as cute as can be�5 months old. Ms. Hydeus is in all of our hearts. Everyone is back working and moving forward. Thank you for your prayers and concerns�mostly for you friendship.

Much love,

Shirley and Tom and family