Annette’s time at the University of Virginia was instrumental in shaping her passion for knowledge and her character, creating a loving circle that endures to this day.
UVA Circle Remembrance by Sara Edmonson
My name is Sara Edmondson and I am speaking on behalf of Annette’s UVA besties. We first met Netty in 1998 at our beloved alma mater the University of Virginia.
I’d like to share an excerpt from a blog that Annette found meaningful, and which embodies how she lived her life.
“All humans have a spiritual dimension. Whatever your beliefs, life is sacred, [our] choices matter, nature deserves a certain reverence, [our] presence in the world contributes to joy and goodness, that things have a way of working out (not always as we expect), that the greatest joy usually comes from connecting and sharing with others, that being uncomfortable can push us to grow, and that while we don’t always get what we want, we can always choose to make the most of what we get.”
Things DO have a way of working out. Who would have thought that Annette taking a gap year during college would lead to a group of us rooming together and the start of a 25-year friendship with Annette at the center of our UVA family. Annette was a bright beacon of light, bouncing curls and smiles from ear-to-ear. And fun, just SO. MUCH. FUN.
Indeed, her presence in the world contributed to so much joy and goodness. Her laugh alone could brighten your whole day; her giggles were contagious. Over the last several weeks, many of us have returned repeatedly to voicemails from her to be comforted by the sound of her warm voice and infectious laugh. Netty was the glue that held many of us together, especially in the years since college. Oh, the many trips and places we went to and all the happy and fun memories we created together (trips that she single-handedly planned and details that she carefully curated, whether or not she was there or not!). From trip planner to dinner host, no effort or small detail was too much for Annette’s people. Gosh were we lucky to be her people! Her culinary skills especially blew us out of the water – serving hand-chopped brussels sprout salad or fall soup served out of a carved-out mini pumpkin. These were just some of the ways she showed her love for us.
Annette also taught us that “the greatest joy comes from connecting and sharing with others” She was the master of personal connection. She would find the thing that she related to you on & nurture that, and also had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room. She also had a heart of gold, brimming with compassion, forgiveness and a sense of humor. One of the best examples of this was the time she gave Jenn Waller who stands at a height of 5’8” – a piggy-back ride. You can imagine how this ends, right? Yup, they went crashing down headfirst onto the pavement, knocking out Annette’s two front teeth! Most of us would have been furious, but not Annette. She didn’t bat an eye, and we have often laughed about it over the years.
As many of you know, Annette was also not afraid of discomfort or a challenge. Even at the young age of 19, she challenged us with questions about life’s purpose, and poured her heart, soul, and mind into making an impact on the world. She often sparked creative and intelligent discussions in the midst of talk about which frat party we would be attending that weekend and what outfit we were going to wear. She continued to push us through our 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s by asking the hard questions and encouraging us to be vulnerable together. Perhaps some of the most meaningful growth she experienced in recent years was in her role as a mother to her two amazing humans, Troy and Phoenix. How beautiful it has been to share the motherhood journey with her. May the boys always feel how deeply she loves them and be assured that they will always have honorary UVA aunties.
Finally, the blog Annette shared reminds us that life is sacred. We honor Annette’s life by enthusiastically embracing the unexpected, prioritizing time together, bravely leaning into discomfort, using every day to brighten the lives of others, and laughing as much as humanly possible. Knowing and loving Netty has been one of the greatest joys and honors of our lives; we miss her so much. Thank you.
