Boards Quote by Will Schwalbe
“...in the eyes of her oldest friends and colleagues and extended family, she wasn't a painfully thin seventy-five-year-old gray haired woman dying of cancer- she was a grade school class president, the young friend you gossiped with, a date or double date, someone to share a tent with in Darfur, a fellow election monitor in Bosnia, a mentor, a teacher you'd laughed within a classroom or a faculty lounge, or the board member you'd groaned with after a contentious meeting”
About This Quote
The passage celebrates a woman’s vibrant, multifaceted life, emphasizing her roles and connections beyond her illness.
In simple terms: She was more than a sick old woman; she was active and loved.
Key Takeaway
Value people for their whole lives, not just their ailments.
Themes
life
legacy
relationships
identity
humanity
Mood
celebratory
respectful
nostalgic
Type
commemorative
humanistic
When to use this quote
- obituary writing
- memorial services
- life coaching
- community storytelling
Key Concepts
multidimensionality
social roles
personal impact
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of a person’s life do we most often remember?
- How can we honor both strengths and struggles?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on achievements may unintentionally downplay the reality of illness.
![“I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or a survey and Legal Services Corporation board when President [Jimmy ]Carter appointed me and trying to get lawyers for poor people. I have worked in these…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c7/hillary-clinton-51_action_i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-th_9078.jpg)
