Bridget Owens

     I met Mananya shortly after her diagnosis through our mutual friend Vanessa.  I was having a bad day.  I was in tears over something so stupid I can't even remember now what it was.  I found out a short time later that Mananya had cancer - I felt like such an idiot.  But she assured me that she loved hearing about the stupid little things that caused people's bad days to keep her mind off of her BIG thing.  So, that was the start of our friendship - a friendship that generated so many memories it is hard to share them all, but they could be condensed down to a lot of walking around SB, teasing each other, and eating!  She is an incredible optimist and she loved life no matter what it brought to her.  It was very rare that I ever heard her say anything along the lines of her having a bad day.  Even when she was tired, in pain, coping, she was always smiling.  That smile is something I will never forget!  Mananya still lives as an inspiration to me and I know how fortunate I am to have her as my friend. 


My sincere condolences to all of Mananya's family and friends. 

With Love,

Bridget