Randy at Brooklyn College, April 1973. I had the great luck to meet her a couple of years before this, and I had the even greater privilege to know her for decades after this. What can I say? It was a joy to watch this smart, kind, thoughtful, idealistic, funny teenager over the years become an even more admirable and amazing person. She was always easy to be with, whether you were going to the theater, an art museum, a dinner party, or just hanging out: simply watching her sit quietly at home with her cherished Allan, Lindsay and Emily was a pleasure. I know I am one of many of Randy's friends who will never forget her. My love and condolences to her family.

I met Randy in college, though she was a couple of years above me in Kingsman, our home away from home. Those in her group were just giants in my eyes, as a lowly cub reporter. Eventually, by some strange fluke, we ended up going to Purdue University together to pursue master's degrees (along with her good friend, and my then-boyfriend, Sid Karpoff); Randy and I spent a year together there, which is where we really sealed the deal.

As I spent time over the last few days looking through my photo albums, moments of our shared pasts washed over me, from her move to the city and many meals at that apartment, including her attempt to teach me how to make challahs (which came out great, but only because she was really the one in charge) and many Shabbat dinners, to twice-monthly (or more) meet-ups at Noodles restaurant on the Upper West Side (cheap Italian and Chinese noodle dishes), to her and her roommate Laurie's giant Halloween costume party. And then, when Sid and I moved out to the 'burbs, so many visits out to Jersey and time spent with both our daughters - as their Aunt Randy tirelessly read to them and played with them. For children, those memories will always be remembered (which is part of why they are feeling so bereft today). I wished for Randy children of her own, and eventually we joyously celebrated with her as Allan stomped on the glass and that became a reality. And in the years to come, so many happy times with family, holiday dinners with her mother and my parents, as New Jersey became the Tunkels' home. Oh, were we lucky to have had those years together! Time spent in Rhode Island was, of course, harder because of Randy's at first gradual, and then more rapid, decline, but I am still so glad we had that time.

There was no one like Randy. That might sound like a cliche, but it is far from that, as you know, if you are on this page. She was just such a positive person, exuding warmth and caring for others. She was bright and well-read and musical and interesting, but more than anything else, she was kind. She was always present for you - listening, and thinking, and making meaning of the moments spent together.

The last few years have been rough for everyone who knew Randy. For Allan, Lindsay, and Emily, it is something no one else can imagine. But through it all, Randy kept that positivity, thinking of others as she crocheted baby blankets for Project Linus until she could not hold the crochet hooks anymore.

It has been a while since Randy was able to be present in my life, but knowing she was in the world made it just a little better.

Randy, I will miss you so. Rest in peace, sweet friend.

Sisters. <3

Randy designed her wedding dress with velvet roses.

Randy crocheting baby blankets for Project Linus.

Four Generations:

Dora (Horowitz) Alper

Sarah (Alper) Stern

Leatrice (Stern) Rosenthal

Randy (Rosenthal) Tunkel