Rosiejaneymary

Text from Rachel today sounding much improved. She can't fly until 16th, but is in less pain and able to go out and about a bit. She is going to the Stone Pony this evening and Jarod has a show at the Wonder Bar tomorrow, both of which she is looking forward to. Also meeting up with Madam Marie on Sunday, so there will probably be an update on GL.

I see she has Tweeted she is on the mend and Jarod is taking care of her.

I had a chat with Rachel. The poor kid needs beans on toast. With cheese.

Received your email, Ann. I'll send her a text tomorrow, so long as she knows you've given me the contact info.

OK thanks AJ.

I have heard from Rachel. She sounds very poorly but I don't want to post too much here as its a public forum. If anyone wants more into, my email is anncherryjones@yahoo.co.uk

She is in Jersey Shore University Medical Centre, Neptune NJ07753.

I think sending cards/letters is best at the moment as we don't know how long she might be in.

She is really grateful for everyone's support.

Also, if she doesn't have people to talk to, she can call me any time and I'll tell dumb jokes and talk about Bruce and Jersey. I think she knows I'm not a creepy type of old guy. Also would be happy to play a phone game with her to help fight boredom. Little things I can think of that I could do from Cali.

Yeah, I'd imagine she's in hospital on her holiday insurance and I'd assume, again, that she'll be out of the hospital as soon as she can be safely discharged.

If anyone can come up with any ideas, I'll certainly weigh in and do what I can to make it happen.

Flowers might be a shout if we can get the hospital/ward etc.

Aye, a girl I work with is having gall bladder issues, not pleasant.

Being so far from home must be a nightmare going through this.

I've been racking my brains for something we could do to give her a boost.

AJ, did you get the name of the hospital she's in?

Maybe we could send her a gift of some description?

Not at all sure how practical that would be.....I. just so gutted for her, poor lassie.

If the kid has to be in the hospital, I hope it's at least in Jersey.

Thanks AJ, poor kid.

If there's anything we can do, or if anyone can come up with anything that we can do, to help, just holler.

I’m not sure if I had posted my condolences regarding Marsha’s passing. I know it’s been some time, but I was saddened when I heard the news. I had met Marsha once at MSG and didn’t realize the I knew her husband who I met during work I was doing years ago. It’s wonderful that she will always be remembered and so many came together for that plaque. And I agree…Rachel is a star.

Hi everyone I’ve been thinking a lot about Marsha lately and how usually I would’ve been talking to her about Bruce tickets and everything. It felt so weird trying for a ticket without her. It felt weird getting my vaccine and not being able to share the news with her. I feel like I’m always going to have this bit of emptiness inside me now because for so many years she was there for me to share everything with and I just don’t know when I’ll get used to her being gone. I don’t think I ever will. it’s so nice to see her friends getting to visit the bench, and I think every day how every time someone sits on that bench in Asbury her name will be read and her presence will be remembered. I just wanted to check that everyone is okay with me closing the PayPal pool and making the donation in her name to St.Jude’s? It’s been left open just in case anyone saw this thread late and wanted to contribute still and I wasn’t sure at what point do I close it but I was thinking the end of June I will close it and everything that’s left can be donated to St Jude’s in her name. If that’s okay with everyone?

I hope Ray is doing okay.

You're a legend Rach.

That's so great, fantastic tribute.

I really do hope, one day, to grab a pew there and think nice thoughts.

That is really lovely. Well done Rachel for making this happen. I want the next photo to be of you sitting on it. 💗

Ray also sent me a video he took that he asked me to share with you all.. it’s beautiful and it made me cry

Hi everyone, I‘m just going to copy and paste what I put on the Lake yesterday (let’s hope it works) rachelharms Posted 20 hours ago

Hi everyone I’m sorry I haven’t been on to say much lately, I’ve really been finding it hard to deal with this and everything and I just don’t know how to cope with it at all, to be honest. I’ve came on here today though, because I wanted to let you all know something special. I had an email from Ray, which I opened on my break at work today. He decided to drive down to Asbury today, and look what he found!

To our complete surprise, since we hadn’t actually heard that the plaque was ready or being installed. But he went, and there it was. What are the chances, that it was waiting there for him? I’m so SO happy he got to see it. But I just can’t believe it. I cannot believe it at all. I can’t believe our beautiful Marsha has her very own spot on the Asbury Park boardwalk, facing the ocean. Her favourite place in the whole world. That was my dream location for the bench too, they did ask where we would like it, although there were no guarantees.. but there it is. Everything I had hoped for, for her and for all of those who knew and loved her. I just can’t believe we made this happen for her and I’m so glad that we did. As soon as I saw the email, I burst into tears and I haven’t stopped crying since. I just can’t stop at all. This was everything she deserved. You can finally see what Ray decided to have written on the plaque, which I think is beautiful. The fact that he chose to include me in there just means everything to me, although I did tell him that he didn’t need to include me, he insisted. I can’t even explain how much it means to have me and Marsha’s name there, permanently in Asbury Park. I’m just so emotional and there’s so much I want to say but it’s so fresh right now and I can’t stop crying. I just want to thank each and every one of you for all of your kindness, your generosity, your support and also to Greasy Lake/it’s past and current members for providing me with a place that has always felt like a home, without which I wouldn’t be where I am now and would never have known Marsha or spent the time with her that I did. I really really wish that I could send all of you who contributed a personal thank you, but PayPal obviously doesn’t provide me with details. But please know, I am so truly grateful. I’ll never be able to put into words what it’s meant to me to have received such kindness and generosity from you all. Thank you so so much. I really hope that you are as pleased with the memorial bench as I am, and I can’t wait until I can travel so I can see it myself and spend some time there. I look forward to seeing you all visiting it, and hopefully sometime soon when I’m allowed to fly, we can all meet up and get a photo together and maybe even a Wonder Burger. thank you again so so much.. I’m just so lost for words right now, and I can’t believe that she finally has her own spot on the boardwalk

it is so weird having two Bruce places. I have not been around either for a while. I saw this thread, but for some reason, went to the other place to post. This is what I posted there.

“I am so saddened by this news. A few years ago, I wrote a ranty post about Bruce, I can’t recall why, really, but it was after my mum had died, and I wasn’t in the best place, mentally and emotionally. Marsha emailed me, just asking if everything was ok. My reply was lengthy, and expanded somewhat on my rant. Marsha replied thoughtfully, helped me put everything in perspective, while still acknowledging my feelings. I will never forget that. Rachel, as you were an especially close friend, you have my sympathies. I also extend sympathy to those of you who were lucky enough to have met Marsha. And if you are still in touch with Ray, please give him my condolences as well.“

Also, Rachel confirmed that the PayPal link is still active. Thank you for organizing this, Rachel. ❤️

Does this work?

I had to download it and the play it through media monkey.

So heartbreaking, still struggle to believe its true.

I was thinking about Marsha last night when I was watching the NFL draft.

The Giants were active and ended up drafting a wide receiver ......... and part time Rapper -

We used to have an occasional "online state of the nation" about our beloved Jints and I was wondering what her take on this would be.

Just popped across to check it out.

So nice and so sad at the same time.

We've all done the "like there's no one watching" moves at Bruce gigs, really sweet seeing Marsha in action.

I'd have loved to have sank a glass or two in her company.

Maybe further on up the road........

There is a beautiful message from Ray, Marsha's husband, over on GL. Also a video of Marsha at a show.

Didn't realize there was a thread here.The news really made me sad. She was such a positive light on our old home. I am not religious but sometimes god calls the good ones home early.

Thanks for posting. It's reminded me that I hadn't contributed yet. That's remedied.

Just wanted to let you all know Ray has sent me what he would like to be written on the memorial bench plaque. I won’t post it, because I think that waiting to see the bench ready will be a lot more special. I will say that it made me cry.. a lot. But I think that anything that was written would’ve.

Within the next week I should get a proof of the plaque and then hopefully it won’t be too long before the bench will be ready for all of us to visit.

thank you to everyone for contributing, it really means so much. The excess is going to St.Jude’s which I think I mentioned, and so far that stands at around $600, almost $700 Which is incredible. They have a special memorial donation section on their website so hopefully I’ll be able to print something off to keep and to show everyone once the donation has been made.

I hope you’re all doing okay

You did good, young lady. Real good.

I haven't been back on this thread much. I have a tendency to avoid sadness if I can help it. I'm glad I checked back in. What a beautiful tribute, Rachel. I'll be contributing over the weekend.

The APCOC replied to my email, so just updating you all again!

Good news is that I explained my concerns about sending a cheque all of the way from England, especially now it’s not just my money, and they said that I can send them the money directly through PayPal which is great!

They also said that we can choose where the bench will be located, so I have just forward this info on to Marsha’s husband Ray so he can decide.

Once we have proofed the plaque, they said it will take 8-10 weeks for the plaque to be manufactured and they will place it on the boardwalk themselves. They did say that it can be even less time, depending on the workload of the manufacturer. So we should see the bench just before summer!

Thanks for updating Rach, you've done an amazing job pulling this together.

Its an awesome tribute.

I hope to sit on it some day and say a wee prayer for our fav Jersey Girl.

I'm sure she's looking down feeling very proud of you Young Un.

Hey everyone! Sometimes I struggle getting on here because it doesn’t always work on my phone, and it doesn’t let me log in, but thankfully Ann has been able to update you all!

As you can see from the contribution page: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8yg4bbvGF7

we are well past the target. I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone that contributed. It honestly means so much to me and the kindness shown has just blown me away. Ive talked with Ray, and he said that he would like any surplus from the contributions to go to St.Jude’s, as he and Marsha would donate there every Christmas. At the moment it stands at around $350 will be donated there in Marsha’s memory which is amazing. The contribution page is still open as I know there were a few people who were still wanting to donate so I’ll keep it open until Ray gets back to me about what he would like on the plaque. I emailed the AP Chamber of Commerce today to get some more info to share.

I hope you’re all doing ok, and I will post updates when I have more

thank you all so much again

Just seeing this now. Absolutely awful, may she RIP. I didn't know her off the forum of course but she had some wonderful posts and will be dearly missed by us all.

Rach posted a PayPal link on GL, I didn't want to post it here without her OK.

I don't suppose it would matter but it's her "project" ( for want of a better way to put it) so I didn't want to overstep.

It's a lovely, lovely idea and I want to sit on the bench someday.

Mutual friend told me a few days ago.

Never met, but at least we shared that Cardiff stadium together.

What came across in the all too brief email conversations we had was the sheer vibrancy, passion, and enthusiasm of the woman.

The radio clip's tipped me over again.

RIP Marsha

Alan

Terrible news. I only knew her from her posts on GL, but reading the tributes both there and here from those that really knew her make it clear a beautiful light has gone out in the world. RIP and warm thoughts to her family and friends.

I can't type. Just can't. Marsha was loving and supportive, always positve.

I’ve just been told that Jim Rotolo will play Rosalita as a tribute to Marsha on E Street Radio at 9am ET for those of you able to listen. Us Europeans wont be able to listen but perhaps someone will record it. Either way, we can play Rosie at the same time and dance and honour her memory. I know that she will be dancing and smiling too

Oh, no. Oh, such terrible news. RIP to such a lovely person.

Really shocked and sad to hear this unexpected news. I only met Marsha once, and that briefly, at the Cardiff show in 2013, but of course knew her well on the pages of Greasy Lake. I remember speaking to her on the phone at the first Ladies Lunch too! Never dreamed there would never be another chance.

All I can say to be as positive as she always was is that I am glad her illness wasn't prolonged. A few days ago I lost another friend who I had seen decline over many years from a similar horribly cruel disease (Huntington's). I don't want to say any more, but believe me, it's better to go early with peace and dignity.

Goodbye, Marsha, I'm glad you had a happy life although too short.

Oh man that's awful. I had no idea she was unwell and I can only hope she's at peace now. For her family and friends, it's going to be tough, but hopefully they can find some peace in the memories of her and in the knowledge she's having a helluva time in the Giants Stadium up in the sky, being treated to the most damn fine Big Man solo that paradise has ever heard.

One thing that always stood out to me about RJM was her unparalleled positivity and refusal to criticise a Springsteen song. She loved every one equally, from "Real Man" to "Thunder Road", to the extent that sometimes you'd read one of her posts and just think, "Ha'way just say this song is better than another!", haha.

What strikes me today, though, is that I wish the world, or at least the internet, was full of RJMs. In a world filled with people making immediate snipes at anything - be it a real world matter, a TV show or something as trivial as a Springsteen Live Series playlist - to be simply positive and to look for the good in anything is something we can all aspire to be, and to do. I know I'll try my best.

Thanks for the discussions, Marsha, rest well.

Very sad news. RIP.

Oh, damn. She was one of the good ones. So sorry to hear this. Rest in peace, RJM.

"One minute you're here..."

I'm deeply saddened by this news. She was one of the kindest persons on the Lake. She welcomed everyone with wide-open arms, and always found encouraging words when people needed to hear them.

She was respectful when she didn't agree with you, and a true Bruce fan.

My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

How very, very sad. I only ever knew her as a poster on GL, but she was one of those whose contributions I always read. Another one of us old ones gone - rest in peace.

Oh Ann I feel sick reading this! I am so, so sorry for everyone who knew and loved her, including her online family. Shocking news to me, though I had thought not long ago that I haven't seen her in a while, especially on our other forum that she visited frequently, probably more than Greasy Lake. I can't imagine what her husband is going though.

Almost caught up with her in New York but couldn't make it work, we almost had a beer at Hurley's. Shocked and saddened.

That's very sad news. R.I.P.

My American ‘mom’. The kindest soul I’ve ever known. I miss her so much already. My heart hurts