Hello everyone. For those of you who are not aware, I chose December 24 ^th , 2025, as the day that I would rejoin my handsome husband, Bud, in eternal rest. I chose this day for 2 reasons, one, I was tired of spending the Christmas holiday with only select friends and family, and 2, if I were not there, everyone knew that you would have had to wait until Bud was off the golf course before we could celebrate!

I wanted to write this much earlier, but when you have been around since June 20 ^th , 1941, and stay on earth for 84 beautiful years, you tend to have a good number of people waiting to see you and say hello when you get here. I had many friends from my graduating class of T.L. Handy, class of 1959, my days of banking, and my almost 20 years of working for Bay Lanes that were lined up to greet me. It was so wonderful to see my lifelong friend, Pam Gougeon, and we caught up for days.

I was able to spend the holidays, not just with my friends and my Bud, but my son, Jon Todd Gobeski, mother, Elanore Weaver, father, William Cleary, brother Patrick Cleary, sister Wendy Peterson, in-laws Edna and Ben Gobeski, brother-in-law, Bernie Gobeski, sisters-in-law Connie Gobeski and MJ Gobeski, and many other relatives and in-laws.

I was most excited to see the love of my life, the man I married on September 17, 1960, Mr. John Gobeski, who left us just shy of our 65 ^th wedding anniversary, on June 26 ^th , 2025. I know I have told so many of you that the Captain's Table was our favorite place to celebrate our anniversary, but the view from our new favorite place, The Pearly Gates, is the most breathtaking, peaceful place I have ever been.

To my beautiful daughters, Jennifer and her husband Todd Upleger, Jody Smith, and Jill and her husband Harry DeMeijer, I need you to know that your dad and I only left you because we knew our jobs were complete with you all. Watching the beautiful women and men you have all become as you now take your places at the heads of your family tables has been one of my greatest joys, and we are both so proud of you. Just because we are no longer here in person, we always will have an ear to listen when you need us, because you know that a parent's job is never done. We know that so many of our memories and traditions will be passed down by us through all of you. Also, golfing on holidays is NOT one of those traditions, as much as your father tells you it is.

To my grandchildren, Brad and Dawn Basselman, Christi Barnella, Cassie and Ethan Deardoff, Amanda and Ben Turek (Smith), Brandon Smith and Leah Zylstra, Alex DeMeijer, and Marieke DeMeijer, I want you all to know the special place in our hearts that you all have held. We are so happy and excited to watch all the great things you are going to do in this world. Thank you for our 15, yes 15 Brandon, great grandchildren, and to our 2 great-great grandchildren, wow were we lucky!

To my brother and sister-in-law Ron and Carolyn Weaver, sister-in-law Joanie Cleary brother-in-law Ron (Butch) Gobeski, and Pauline and Larry Pittsley, we could not have asked for better siblings. Thank you for countless laughs, life lessons, and love. We are up here with the rest of our family now and leave you all to carry the family legacies with you down there.

To all the family and friends that are sad and thinking of the things that we will not be there to physically see, such as weddings, births, graduations, holidays, birthdays, promotions, Mahjong days, tee times, etc., please remember that every time that you think of us or tell a story about us, that is our way of letting you know that we are right there with you, at the best seat in the house, watching down as you all shine bright in life. I cannot begin to tell you all how much I truly miss being there and hearing your voices and laughs in person, but I am where I want to be, back with my Bud, where both of us have our minds and health back to 100%.

I chose to be cremated, and have my ashes commingled with Bud. Our family will release us at some of our favorite spots in both Michigan and Florida. I do not wish for a service where everyone wears formal clothing and mourns around our urn. My wish instead, is that you all gather in Michigan and in Florida at a later date, and have a beautiful lunch, drink, and share some beautiful memories of our time with you. I do not ask for any flowers, instead, if you wish to donate to my memory, please consider Tidewell Hospice.

In closing, I know that this letter may not stop the sad days ahead, but I hope it helps. I hope that after the tears stop you can look up or look at a sign I left and know that not only am I ok, but you will be ok as well. Just know that I am with you every step of the way, along with my wonderful husband, and as long as you choose to remember us, we will never truly be gone. I have to finish dinner now before Jeopardy! And Wheel of Fortune starts. After that, we are all yours!

Love Always,

Jude Gobeski.