We had a huge "party" to celebrate Terry's life on Wednesday, August 31st. Terry requested it with Motown music to be played. So he got it! Over 200 people showed up. Everyone was smiling and toasting to Terry. After an hour of food and drink overlooking the Monterey Bay, we moved into the conference room where Terry's brother-in-law, Bill, (Sue's husband and retired Presbyterian pastor) did the eulogy. It was absolutely beautiful. After Bill, Terry's colleague and close friend Dean Zweng spoke, then his friend and fellow member of the myeloma support group, Lee May, spoke. After Lee was Terry's dear friend and neighbor John Park. All the speakers gave a different perspective of Terry's life. His work as a doctor, his work starting and leading our county's multiple myeloma support group, and finally his fun nature as a friend and avid football enthusiast (John had to admit that Terry was a faithful Packers fan, even though he loved the Niners too.) Sister Sue then spoke about growing up with Terry as a brother and I finished with all the kids and our grandson up with me to talk about his dedication and love as a father and husband. Lots of laughter and tears throughout the service. We had fabric he brought back from his mission trips to Guatemala on the podium and Dean's wife Dyana made gorgeous floral bouquets to match. Everything ended with a 10 minute video of Terry's life and a quartet Terry used to sing with singing I'll Fly Away.  The video ended with Over the Rainbow by IZ. Terry wanted that too. He loved that song. We had amazing rainbows in Montana this summer!

I think Terry would have loved it. It was a beautiful Santa Cruz day and everyone left feeling uplifted and with a better understanding of the wonderful, curious and complex person Terry Hollenbeck was. He was a large personality and he showered everyone around him with his love for life! 

I hope you enjoy some of the photos that I was able to take at the Celebration of Life. 

Love,

Beth