Welcome to Tricia's Caring Bridge site. We are using it to keep family and friends updated on Tricia's situation in Italy. Reed and Tricia's parents, Richard and Jill, are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, support, and encouragement they have been shown in the wake of this tragedy. Please read below for a little background on what occurred and for current updates. We'd love it if you could take the time to post a note, a story, a cherished memory, and/or some photos of Tricia to help us all keep her spirit alive. Thank you for visiting the site.
As many of you know, Tricia was on the trip of a lifetime visiting Italy last month. She was accompanied for the beginning of the trip by her god-daughter, Adrienne, for the first couple of weeks. The pair spent their time visiting the Pantheon, the Colosseum and even had an accidental visit with the Pope (as only Tricia could do!).
After Adrienne flew back home, Tricia remained in Italy for another week to bravely and enthusiastically tour the sites on her own. She visited Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast. One of her favorite things to do on her travels was to visit the local grocery stores. In her own words:
"I found a grocery store that looked like next to nothing from outside but I walked in and Tada! A complete local grocery store with fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and everything on a smaller scale that you would find in a grocery store in the US. I cannot tell you how long I wandered through that grocery store! I love going into grocery stores when I visit different countries. Grocery stores are a reflection of how the locals live, what they buy, and what they appreciate. I loved it! I’ve been visiting local grocery stores throughout Europe for over 20 years and it never gets old!”
Traveling alone in Italy was certainly an adventure for Tricia. We are so proud of her courage and bravery. She shared some of her thoughts on this journey:
"I always wondered if I could go to Europe for a vacation and handle everything by myself, without Reed (in all fairness, he has always believed that I could do it on my own.) I feel like I have proven something to myself. And I am excited to continue on with new adventures! There is a certain self-confidence with realizing you actually can do it on your own."
Tricia made many friends from all over the world while in Italy (no one is surprised by this!). She even celebrated her ginger-ness with a group of six Irish girls she befriended there. Her new South Carolina friends were amazed she just stumbled upon the visit from the Pope.
On her last day in Italy, Tricia was on a train from Naples returning to Rome when she suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma. She was taken to one of the best hospitals in Rome and has been there ever since. She is getting excellent care, but there has been little sign of improvement since she was admitted.
Several of Tricia's friends flew to Rome to be there with Tricia while supporting Reed in all his efforts dealing with doctors and lawyers (American and Italian), the US Embassy, the hospital in Rome, etc. A huge thank you to Elana, Som, and especially Megan for taking the trip, putting your own lives on hold, to take care of our girl.
And big thanks to everyone here in Santa Cruz who has stepped up by sending meals, calls, texts, flowers, etc...etc...etc. Reed and family are feeling loved, blessed, and tremendously moved by such a strong show of support from all those who love Tricia.
We will continue to post updates here. We ask you to please understand and respect that Reed has a full plate right now trying to get Tricia home and is having a hard time juggling all the texts he is receiving. We will do our best to update this site as soon as we have any new information.
We love you all. Thank you for loving Tricia and supporting Reed, Richard and Jill at this very difficult time.
We are less than four months from our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii to celebrate Tricia on her 54th birthday, Sunday, October 8.
Weekend plans include snorkeling at Tricia's favorite spot, Honaunau Bay (also known as Two Step), and chartering a boat from Keauhou Harbor to scatter the remainder of Tricia's ashes at Honaunau Bay, as was her request.
We will end the weekend with a lovely sunset cocktail reception and dinner party on the Launa Lawn at the beautiful Kona Village.
If you are considering making the trip, please reach out to Reed via text (831-246-0661) or email (reed.geisreiter@gmail.com) by August 1 to be added to the dinner guest list and for further details as they come available.
We are looking forward to what will be a very special time with friends and family honoring Tricia's memory, celebrating her very full and vibrant life, and making new memories together.
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