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Mama Lou...It is with heavy heart....>

IRL_Joanie

By IRL_Joanie,
in Holland America Line

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IRL_Joanie

IRL_Joanie

Posted
Posted

This morning I was very saddened to receive a notification via my Facebook regarding Mama Lou's passing on August 26th, 2016.....

 

QUOTE "I am so sorry to let you all know that Mama Lou passed away unexpectedly this morning. She loved her "dam" kids and her adopted friends and family so much. She will be missed ... " UNQUOTE

 

She will be sorely missed by everyone who was blessed by her, whether in real life or the cyber community, onboard a HAL ship or on land.

 

I will continue to strive to be a Mam Lou and enjoy life to the fullest for as long as I can.

 

She is an Icon who will live forever in our hearts and minds.

 

God Bless and keep you, your family and friends Mama Lou. God Bless you!!

 

Joanie

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510picker

510picker

Posted
Posted (edited)

I only met her once, but she is one of those people you never forget after meeting one time. She would tell everyone not to grieve for her passing, but to celebrate her life, as she lived life to the fullest. Rest in peace, Mama Lou!

Edited by 510picker
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ger_77

ger_77

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Posted

How sad - I never had the opportunity to meet her, but have heard so many lovely things about her over the years. May she rest in peace and enjoy cruising through eternity.

 

Smooth Sailing Mama Lou ! :) :) :)

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Miata

Miata

Posted
Posted (edited)

I can recall the exact circumstances of the first time my wife, Holly, and I saw Mama Lou. We got on the elevator on a HAL ship and there was already a young couple on there. The young lady was quite slim and attractive. We stopped at an intervening floor and this older lady (Mama Lou) get on the elevator using a walker. The walker was adorned with various stuffed animals and a bicycle type horn. The elevator goes a couple of floors, stops and Mama Lou goes to get off. Prior to exiting the elevator she pinches the young lady’s hinny and says “You need to put some meat on that thing honey” and gets off the elevator.

 

Our mouths drop to our chests while the young couple look at each other. I finally said, incredulously, “Do you know THAT lady?” They answered “NO!”

 

We soon met her formally (As always with a swarm of crew members tending her) on the Lido deck.

 

We ran into her another time (Veendam October 2007) and we told her about the Cruise Critic Roll Call gathering which she was not familiar with. She attended the party and was the highlight for everyone. She regaled us with stories of her younger years and even took out a photo she had of herself from when she lived in Hawaii with her husband. She was wearing a little two piece outfit and looked VERY appetizing.

 

Later that cruise Holly mentioned that she, Holly, has a black belt in karate. Mama Lou insisted that Holly go back to her cabin where she gave Holly a little karate stuffed animal. We still have it and treasure it.

 

I trust that her family bears her passing well and that there is more laughter then tears at her funeral. I know that I’ve just done both thinking about her.

Edited by Miata
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RetiredMustang

RetiredMustang

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I was delighted to meet and chat with Mama Lou on board Ryndam in sping 2011 (in the casino, as it turned out...):

 

RetiredMustang_with_Mama_Lou_zpsdbf0sosa.jpg

 

We chatted for a while, and discovered that we had actually met before - in 1996, in the Piet Hein bar on Noordam III.

 

A delightful lady, and I am sorry we did not cross paths once again. RIP!

 

Dave

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InTheWASide

InTheWASide

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So sad!

 

I met her a few years ago when we were on Nieuw Amsterdam in Costa Maya but ended up visiting the Ryndam as an excursion (hey... I was a HAL employee at the time, doing the DBA blog and I pulled a couple favors... I hadn't seen Ryndam before)

 

We just happened to see her in the Lido grabbing lunch as we were wrapping up the tour. We told her we didn't want to interrupt we just wanted to say hi, and thank you and let her know she's a legend in the HAL office and it was so cool to meet her in the flesh and not just a HAL Blog article.

 

She then chatted with us in the Lido for the next 20 minutes and we were almost late getting off the ship by the time we needed for our visit.

 

Such a sweet woman who has lived a long and incredible life.

 

RIP Mama Lou. Every person you've come across in your years and travels is better for having known you. <3

Edited by InTheWASide
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serendipity1499

serendipity1499

Posted
Posted (edited)

We're so sad to hear that Mama Lou passed away.. We only had the pleasure of meeting her on the Ryndam in 2013..

 

She was an amazing lady! Everyone who knew her was enthralled with her wonderful sense of humor, her charm, her grace & of her love for the crew.. I only hope I can be like her & live my life to the fullest..

 

May God hold you in the palm of his hand Mama Lou.. Rest in Peace!

Edited by serendipity1499
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erewhon Holiday Sharing Rare

erewhon

Posted
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Joanie,

 

Thank you for advising of this sad news.

 

We were fortunate to meet Mama Lou on board the Statendam during a 28 day Panama Canal cruise back in 2009.I had previously read about her here on CC, and seen the photos which had been posted, she must have boarded on turn around day in Fort Lauderdale, and saw her at dinner. A couple of days later we spoke with her in the Lido at lunchtime, and then when we saw her at other times around the ship.

 

When we were looking around the shops at the Acapulco Terminal Building Mama Lou told me she was buying gifts to give to various crew members.

She was a wonderful lady.

 

I was impressed by the way the crew treated her with great respect and helping her when necessary.

 

Since meeting her, we have often thought of her and wondered how she was.

Rest in Peace Mama Lou.

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