These pages and shared messages are dedicated to the loving memory of Marina Epifani, who left of her own accord on
April 2, 2007.
Marina is survived by her mother Giulia, father Nino, brother Paolo and sister Deborah, as well as her beloved cats and dogs and friends and loved ones all over the world. She could fill a room with sheer beauty, poise and charm, and so it follows that her departure cedes a vast and nearly inconsolable emptiness.
We dearly hope that those who knew and loved Marina will use this "blog" to share their thoughts and memories with us all. It is dedicated to those who would have wanted to share condolences with friends and family. It is dedicated to those who would have wanted to ask why. It is dedicated to those who would have wished to say goodbye.
Buona notte Marina,
- Your family and friends
3 comments:
(From Christine Lee)
You may know Marina in a different way but I want to share with you the Marina I knew.
Marina touched my life in so many ways I don’t even know where to begin. Through Marina, my life was enriched and enlightened. She was inspirational and always a loyal friend. She was a big sister to me, something I never had. She taught me to reach into my soul, listen to my intuition and to express emotions. I will never forget that she introduced me to a whole world I was always hesitant to tap into.
I met Marina in the mid-90’s at a company in San Jose. We were total opposites but she had this way of drawing people into her world. Showing me by example, she taught me not to be scared to try new experiences. One summer, I went with her to her USC MBA reunion, and we stayed in Venice Beach at her friend’s house. That weekend, I went to Beverly Hills for the first time – she introduced me to really cool places to get our hair done and to shop at. She introduced me to the world of fashion and style, and Italian food.
Marina treated me as if I was part of her family. She made it feel so natural whenever I was hanging around with her or at her house, as if I just belonged there as part of her family. She knew I hated when people mistakenly called me “Christina”, but when she called me “Christina” with an Italian accent, I didn’t mind at all.
She was generous with her kindness and her love, and she was a unique individual. I had never met anyone like her before in my life, and I don’t think I ever will again. In the summer of 2000 we were on the internet IPO burnout, she and some of her co-workers quit their jobs, and I quit mine as well. A small group of us started meeting regularly at her house to plan fun, free things to do like hiking to stretch our dollars. She called it the “Joy Luck Club” after that book.
Throughout the ten years or so I had known her, she introduced me to the most fascinating people and experiences. She was a fantastic cook. Dinners at her house were always about lots of lots of good food, good company and enriching and funny conversations. She taught me how to make things like real Italian tomato sauce and frittata. And she taught me about natural healing.
To me, Marina was about grace, sophistication, aesthetics, gentleness, generosity, and beauty. Stepping into her home felt serene, there was an aura of peace. She opened herself and everything she had to her friends - everything she had was yours too. She was generous with her friends – she made you feel that all of her friends were your friends, too. That was how she made you feel. She had a way about her that drew you in and made you want to be around her.
With Marina, I never asked for anything. She was just a very giving person when she knew I needed something. Once I had surgery that I was really scared of because I had never been under anesthesia before. And I had planned to take a cab home from it. If you know Marina, you’ll know she really hated hospitals and being around sick people, so I never dreamt of ever asking her. But she insisted on taking me there, waiting for my surgery to be finished and taking me home. She even sat with me in the hospital inpatient room with me. When the guy gave me the stuff to make me go to sleep, I was so scared. She looked at me and said, everything will be fine, I’ll be here when you wake up. After she took me home, she sat with me for hours while I slept off the anesthesia. She brought me food and took care of my dog that day. This was the kind of generosity she had. Even though she hated hospitals, she sacrificed this about herself to reach out to help me because I was the kind of person who refused help.
She knew my birthday was not a big deal to me and I never liked celebrating it. And I think because she knew this, one year on my birthday she called me and sang happy birthday to me. She knew it would make me laugh and smile.
She also had a respect and admiration for good people – she taught me to look at people for who they were inside and not outside. When she smiled at you, it made you feel warm – she had a beautiful soul that reached out to touch your heart. She encouraged me and inspired me to live life in the moment and really experience life rather than to let life lead you. She made me laugh. Marina knew me in a way that no one else did. She had a profound impact on my life. It is something I will never forget.
Marina, you’ve left us in this world, but you’ll have a place in my heart always.
Marina
Non ti conoscevo abbastanza
per leggerti nel cuore,
eri limpida e fresca come l'acqua
ma un demone avido e implacabile
ti ha catturata,
quel denome che tutto di te divora.
Non ti conoscevo abbastanza
per starti vicino
e tenerti la mano fredda e spaventata durante il tumultuoso naufragio,
quel naufragio che ti ha spaccato il cuore in mille pezzi.
Non ti conoscevo abbastanza
ma tu eri una dea.
È per questo che sei tornata nel tuo Olimpo?
Elisabetta
(From Tom Lonsdale)
The ten days I spent with Marina and Mark in 2004 were some of the happiest days of my life. It was a period suffused in a soft golden glow -- although the view over the bay by day was often spun silver and by night studded with diamonds.
Marina,with Mark's assistance, had done the advance planning for two seminars in the San Francisco Bay Area. (It should be noted that at that time I was a stranger who Marina knew by email contact only.) By the time I arrived the hard work had been done. What remained was for me to rest and recover after a hectic schedule in Europe and then to keep our appointments with DogTec and Marin Humane Society: http://www.rawmeatybones.com/speaking_2004.html
It was a wonderful team effort that lingers in the memory. By day we would chat, go on errands to Berkeley, meet Marina's family and generally plan the seminars. Marina cooked delicious meals and Mark served the coffee. Three delightful cats, Romeo, Sami and Tania, helped with the practical pet diet demonstrations.
Marina looked great in front of or behind the camera. Her photos remain a testament on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-images/by-author/A17OYREO31LWTC/ref=cm_ciu_pdpimg_custgallery/002-1739434-8862442 , including pictures of her dogs Tommy and Rocky. On a professional level I gained an inkling of her contributions to international trade. On a personal level I was the beneficiary of her charm, sensitivity and intelligence.
To Marina's family and friends I wish you solace in your time of grief.
To Marina, in a short time you became a dear and treasured friend. I miss your radiant warmth, your sense of humour, your support and gentle optimism. I promise to honour your memory until we meet again.
Peace and love,
Tom
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