Goodbye, Jeff. You'll be Missed More Than You Know.
An old friend of mine has passed away suddenly, and I just wanted to say "goodbye, I wish I'd known you better, and that I wish so much that I'd kept closer with you over the years. You are a remarkable person, and I'm sorry for not talking to you more. Thank you for your many gifts- most of all being just your friendship."
I've known Jeff since I was about five, and my mom loves telling people how I always used to call him "my first boyfriend" when I was little. I went to school w/him as a little kid, played "Beep Ball" w/him as I was growing up; and was always amazed at fucking funny he could be, and how truly frigging SMART the man was. As the years went by (and I tried harder and harder to be "cool") though, I didn't keep in very good contact with him. And I should have. He came to a few of my birthday parties over the years, but I never really talked to him beyond those events we were together much, & my mom kept in touch w/him every six months or so-. which si more than I ever did. Well this morning I got the word that Jeff had suddenly passed away, and after a time of total shock, it's been like a bomb hit me. Fortunately my mom & I were able to go to his funeral. & that funeral home was PACKED with about three to four hundred people. Apparently Jeff was extremely spiritual, sang for his friends to make them happy, & served as a chairman on committees for disabled rights and advocacy. And all of this was news to me. I found out about many parts of his life I didn't know before, and I saw what an impact he made on others' lives, and just wanted to leet him know, here, in some way- if he can see this now- how much he touched mine. Jeff Watkins had a lot of physical problems, but he was one of the smartest people I'll ever know, and one of the bravest and strongest as well. He did a lot of amazing things, and I'm sorry I didn't know him better. I'm so grateful to have known him in the ways I did. He's blessed my life in more ways than I could possibly express.
Jeff, I'll miss you, and hope that wherever you are, you're happy, whole, and free.
Love Always,
Renae
PS, Here's a copy of Jeff's Obituary, from the Washington Post. If you, or someone you know knew him, feel free to pass this on. Because his death was so unexpectedly sudden, I imagine there are lots of people whose lives he touched, but who haven't yet heard the sad news about Jeff's passing.
JEFFREY SCOTT WATKINS (Age 35) On Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Reston Hospital, of Reston, VA. Beloved son of Scott and Vivian Watkins; loving brother of Jamie Vito (Robert); and many other family and friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at FAIRFAX MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA, where a funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 3 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeffrey's name to the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, 1500 East Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852, www.jfgh.org or SPARC, P.O. Box 10797, Burke, VA 22009, www.sparcontheweb.org , 703-338-6185. www.fmfh.com
Published in The Washington Post from 8/29/2008 - 9/2/2008 Notice • Guest Book • Funeral home info
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I've known Jeff since I was about five, and my mom loves telling people how I always used to call him "my first boyfriend" when I was little. I went to school w/him as a little kid, played "Beep Ball" w/him as I was growing up; and was always amazed at fucking funny he could be, and how truly frigging SMART the man was. As the years went by (and I tried harder and harder to be "cool") though, I didn't keep in very good contact with him. And I should have. He came to a few of my birthday parties over the years, but I never really talked to him beyond those events we were together much, & my mom kept in touch w/him every six months or so-. which si more than I ever did. Well this morning I got the word that Jeff had suddenly passed away, and after a time of total shock, it's been like a bomb hit me. Fortunately my mom & I were able to go to his funeral. & that funeral home was PACKED with about three to four hundred people. Apparently Jeff was extremely spiritual, sang for his friends to make them happy, & served as a chairman on committees for disabled rights and advocacy. And all of this was news to me. I found out about many parts of his life I didn't know before, and I saw what an impact he made on others' lives, and just wanted to leet him know, here, in some way- if he can see this now- how much he touched mine. Jeff Watkins had a lot of physical problems, but he was one of the smartest people I'll ever know, and one of the bravest and strongest as well. He did a lot of amazing things, and I'm sorry I didn't know him better. I'm so grateful to have known him in the ways I did. He's blessed my life in more ways than I could possibly express.
Jeff, I'll miss you, and hope that wherever you are, you're happy, whole, and free.
Love Always,
Renae
PS, Here's a copy of Jeff's Obituary, from the Washington Post. If you, or someone you know knew him, feel free to pass this on. Because his death was so unexpectedly sudden, I imagine there are lots of people whose lives he touched, but who haven't yet heard the sad news about Jeff's passing.
JEFFREY SCOTT WATKINS (Age 35) On Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Reston Hospital, of Reston, VA. Beloved son of Scott and Vivian Watkins; loving brother of Jamie Vito (Robert); and many other family and friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at FAIRFAX MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 9902 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA, where a funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 3 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeffrey's name to the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, 1500 East Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852, www.jfgh.org or SPARC, P.O. Box 10797, Burke, VA 22009, www.sparcontheweb.org , 703-338-6185. www.fmfh.com
Published in The Washington Post from 8/29/2008 - 9/2/2008 Notice • Guest Book • Funeral home info
Flowers • Visit the gift shop • Charities