Tribute to my Sister in Law: Tabitha Brott

Well, I'm going to bring the whole mood down a notch. I was asked to write a tribute or memorial to my sister in law and high school best friend Tabitha for our 10 year high school reunion. The girls putting together the reunion are nice enough to put a memorial for the 3 classmates that are no longer with us. I threw this together last night and would like any feedback anyone wants to give. They asked if I would be specific about how she passed since many classmates will learn about Tabitha's passing for the first time at the reunion and I won't be there to answer any questions. So, here goes:

In Memory of Tabitha
1977-2004

Tabitha passed away on November 2, 2004 at the age of 27. She is survived by her husband, Chris, 5 year old daughter Eve, stepson Jacob, parents Dave & Alice, sister Annette (Tim), nephew Corey, brother David (Kelley), niece and nephews Michael, Mackenzie & Colton, and brother Andrew (Peggie) niece and nephews Louisa, Andrew Jr. and Hunter. (Andrew is a graduate of West class of ’97)

On November 1, 2004, Tabitha arrived at work at Jewel Osco in Milwaukee where she was a managing supervisor. She collapsed at work and was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that she had a brain aneurysm and would not regain consciousness again. We said our good-byes and let God take her home.

She was a special woman who made everyone around her happy. We have not found one picture of her that she isn’t smiling in. She was shy and quiet and usually didn’t have a lot to say. But once you got to know her, you couldn’t shut her up!

Tabitha attended West High School and graduated in 1996. She played JV soccer during her 10th and 11th grade years, and Spring City for several years. She played the tenor saxophone in concert band. She was in honors classes and graduated with honors. After high school Tabitha went on to college at UW Milwaukee where she graduated with a business degree specializing in human resource. She worked at Jewel Osco in Waukesha for many years before being promoted to one of the Milwaukee area stores. Before she passed away she was offered the promotion she had been hoping for at the corporate office.

In June 2000, Tabitha married her long time boyfriend Chris. In December 2000 she gave birth to her beautiful baby girl who was the apple of her eye. Tabitha’s daughter, Eve, was 3 when her mommy passed. She carries her mommy close to her heart.

Our family has a huge hole in it since Tabitha is gone. We all feel we made the best of our time with her while she was here and we thank God for giving her to us if only for a short while.