I lost a great friend two weeks ago. She was 95 and still of sound mind, but her body just gave out. She was a fiercly independent woman who spoke her mind but always could be depended on to help out.

From the time she retired until shortly before she died, she did about 40 hours of volunteer work every week. Among other things, she was a hospital volunteer, helped publish a free newspaper, worked in every community and church activity that went on, and was the recording secretary of her church for 68 years. When they gave her an year award for 50 years of service, she said that she originally told the board she'd do it for one year, but kept going because the pay was so good.

She had friends of every age and always made everyone feel special. I'll really miss her and am a better person for having been her friend. I want to be like Geneva when I grow up.