Sylvia and I met in 1989... I walked into Joan Sher's office to be interviewed as a new Realtor. I was bringing with me a multi-million dollar listing. I immediately asked Joan to show me a photograph of her three top producers. I wanted a partner in this new listing so my friend, who was generous enough to believe in me with this listing, would feel confident that I had a partner who was experienced since I had just finished Real Estate School. Within seconds of seeing photographs I said, "It's her, Sylvia Jones." This one listing turned into a marriage in business, love, and friendship for 15 years. Sylvia and I quickly became "The Power Team".

How lucky can two people be to be successful, share all family memories and have fun along the way? Sylvia and I truly had the best of both worlds. Our husbands were saints. They allowed us to work night and day, every day.

Work was not work to us. When new Realtors would ask us how we kept our business relationship for 15 years, our answer would be TRUST, RESPECT, which equals LOVE.

A few years ago, Sylvia and I were guest speakers at a real estate convention. Sylvia would tell everyone, "Sheryl and I have been together longer than both my husbands put together." Sylvia and I were truly second spouses to each other. In good times and in bad, we relied on each other. We always said that when we retired from real estate, we would write a book on all the funny and strange things that had happened to us. One was a listing appointment that happened several years ago. We completed our presentation and were three-quarters of the way through the paperwork, when the sellers started accusing one another of "things". They were hitting and scratching one another when all at once kitchen chairs began flying in the air. Sylvia said to me, "Let's get out of here NOW." I said, "No way; we only have two more papers to sign." Once again the moral of the story is our trust in each other. We weathered the storm and several minutes later we left the house with all listing papers signed.

During the last six weeks and the numerous doctors' appointments, tests, and treatments, Sylvia continued working on deals. She always wanted to be informed. She was even faxing documents from doctor's offices and hospitals. She said, "Sheryl, this is not the first time that we've done deals from a hospital", remembering a deal we did years ago with a client that was taken to the hospital. We didn't let his hospitalization get in the way. We found out the fax number to the nurse's station and continued to finish the transaction.

Sylvia and I, just like most good marriages, had strong family values and work ethics. Sylvia's energy and her attitude of never talking "NO" for an answer served us both very well. In her last few days of life, Sylvia shared with Joan and myself that she was so proud and grateful for her son, Brad. He proved his love and loyalty during her most difficult time. Sylvia told everyone that came to visit the last few weeks that the gift that meant the most to her was a pair of boxing gloves. She had one hung on the top of her bad and one at the foot. She constantly referred to the fight that lay ahead of her and how she planned on beating it with those pink boxing gloves that were a gift from my personal trainer, Tom Drum.

A few months ago, Sylvia attending my daughter's wedding. The wedding video shows Sylvia dancing to two songs; one was I Will Survive and the other was The Last Dance. This was and is her Last Dance; but she will survive in all of our hearts and memories.

Two things that were important to Sylvia were friends who could make her laugh and friends who could sing to her. I could not sing to her, but I did make her laugh on a daily basis. Sylvia lived every day to the fullest. She lived 85 years in 51.

I just want to say thank you to Kenny, my husband, for being there for Sylvia- because of you, Sylvia felt very safe and at ease. Also, I want to thank Fran Pennel for her selfless "around the clock" care and backrubs, as you never left Sylvia's side the last several weeks. Without you, Sylvia would have never had her last great deal. Sylvia's family has been like my family and I hope they know that I will be there for them.

My loss, our loss, is great. I've lost my partner, my second spouse, and the dearest, most loyal friend anyone could ever have.