I knew Ann Marie back when we were high school students still trying to discover the meaning and direction of our lives. She was funny, outrageous and bold even back then. All I knew of her was that she was a dancer and singer. She came across as extremely self assured and she would fling comments like nobody's business. I have somewhat followed her blog as she became ill with ALS and I am amazed at what she accomplished in her 44 years. She really did touch so many people's lives with her struggles. I am sure she will be dearly missed by so many of these people. Votes: +0

I knew Anne Marie from Northern State. I will always remember her very fondly as the girl who wasn't the least bit intimidated by anyone and who ALWAYS said what was on her mind, good or bad. I can still hear that laugh. I am so very sorry to hear she is gone, but I have many excellent memories, and I know that she touched many, many lives. Votes: +0

She was always so full of life, bold and entertaining. A sexy bombshell with great shoes! Thinking of her and the fun encounters we had. Thank you Anne Marie for being inspiring and courageous! Votes: +0

I volunteered and worked with witty Anne Marie for many years. Anne Marie was full of mischief and loved to belt out a opera tune in the most unsuspecting moment. Anne Maire loved to shock and surprise us with her witty comments and fun loving spirit. She always managed to find the humor in everything and caused me to belt out a deep belly laugh quite often. Anne Marie was our high heeled diva drama queen and we loved her for every spirited,spunky,surprising moment! lol Votes: +0

Meeting you in college changed my life. You were a great friend and sorority sister. You were always so full of life and love. When you left IIT to go to South Dakota I missed you terribly, but we talked by phone often. I loved to visit you at Marina Tower brunching and shopping. You are truly one of a kind. I have so many memories I cherish you and our friendship. We lost touch for a while after I got married and had kids, but I found you again last year. You are so beautiful inside and out and I am hurting inside that I didn't see you more. I read your blog all the time and enjoyed our email conversations. I love you my friend and you will live in my memories and heart forever. You are a truly amazing woman taken way too soon. You lived it. Esse Quam Videri my sister. Votes: +0

As we share the tears of sadness,
Seek comfort through believing,
In the beauty of the unknown journey,

Life’s path has shown us all,
Magnificence,
A child born,
Grandeur in the mountains,
Tranquility along the shore,

Find happiness within your memories,
Solace through reflection.
Faith from God’s conviction,
In the beauty of the unknown journey.
Votes: +0

For reasons unbeknown to me I was directed toward this site last night. It was as though I was being guided by a force that attempted to reacquaint me with Annemarie, my friend of yesteryear. I am deeply saddened by this loss as Annemarie was one special lady that lived her life with aplomb, especially in the face of ALS. I recall years ago, being plucked out of a myriad of potential candidates to represent her "All-Star" team at the Plaza in downtown Chicago, when she was a sommelier. When that restaurant faltered, she continued to educate me about the great wines and what it meant to truly enjoy the juice. Years later, we reacquainted in Old Town, as it was a hop and a skip between our two places. Funny how, with the short distance our lives were so separate, but we inevitably would reconnect with late night splurges in Walgreens. She in her tigress outfits and stiletto heels, and I in my fratboy drab wear. The last time I saw her, she was trying valiantly to get a cab to stop. Her yell was not reaching the intended cabbie, as others were superseding her voice. I stepped in and amazingly she was in and on her way. That was the last time I saw her and exchanged a hug of affirmation. Here there was familiarity and comfort in knowing that a friend was nearby. Though I can't say that we shared much in recent years, aside from small exchanges, I can and will say that I was honored to have known this larger than life individual. She was always there fighting for the underdog, always there to empower them to strive for more. Annemarie, you taught me a lot by sharing your spirit. Remember walking across the Chicago River with your Mom toward Marina Towers, you were so proud to have introduced me to your role model and friend. That I will forever remember. She was and is proud of the great spirit you are. I shall miss you my friend. You made an indelible impression. Votes: +0

What can I say about Anne Marie. I know every time I was with her, I laughed. I laughed at some of her outrageous and brilliant comments. I laughed at the absurdity of life. I laughed at her laugh or (when she use to smoke) how she would have the smoke roll up into her nostrils. I was always left wondering what it was like to be her. Since I moved from Chicago (shortly after her speech began to slur) I kept in "the know" about what she was up to on her blog here and on Facebook but I know I kept my distance. I wanted to pretend that the Anne Marie I remembered when I moved was with full capacity. After reading many of her blogs, I realized that she had more capacity in her last days in what it was to be alive and relevant and that far surpassed physical capacity. I learned that every word counts. I will think of Anne Marie many more times throughout my life and laugh and for that I am grateful. I would not have the life I have without her amazing contribution. Thank you AMS! Votes: +0

I was so saddened by AnnMarie's passing. But, as I got to thinking about it, I realized my grief was for the family I know who will have to go on without that amazing, blazing force in their life. I am grieving for Marge, Ron and Tom how they will miss her. For AnnMarie, I smile because I know she is celebrating her new found health and wholeness. The evil ALS did not take her. Oh no, she left it all behind, on her terms, running fast and hard away from this dispicable disease that ravaged her. It will ravage her no longer. My hope and prayer is that her family will find some small comfort in that. God bless. Votes: +1

I am honored to have known such an amazing woman and blessed that you called me 'friend!' Thank you for touching my life and all you taught me. I will celebrate knowing you each and everyday. I will do something everyday that scares me. I will love large and give all of myself as you did for so many. I am honored that I got to be part of your fabulous STYLE by doing your hair and makeup! You can bet your ass I will dance in all the shoes you have handed down to me! Again, I will celebrate you everyday of my life! You are an angel and I know the force is with me/all of us! Votes: +1

Thanks Anne Marie. With Love and Appreciation, Susan Smith Votes: +0

She showed up at one of my gigs in the early ears at Blue Chicago in the mid 90's. Always sitting alone, stage right with a note pad in hand - writing stories and songs. Shortly after our first meeting she told me she liked to sing & perform and I would call her up to do a number or two. She was good. and she was a true free spirit, artistic, smart, beautiful and so positive and so very funny. I loved her immediately. I saw her thru her restaurant years, various apartments, Landmark and then the weird speech thing and then the diagnosis. We would drift in and out of being in close touch - my fault, my regret, my pain. But as always we came back to each other. Kindred spirits. She always lending a boost to my spirit. She left everyone with that impression: bright, full and joyful. She asked me to perform with my band at her KissMyALS party. It made me so happy to see all of the love and support she had. I tried not to think of what he future held for her condition. She came to see me at the Drake Hotel over the summer. Again, sitting alone with a notepad in hand to speak her words. It meant so much to me. I held her hand and she smiled at me dabbing the side of her mouth - that sparkle in her eye, that shine in her smile, that lovely hair and a kickass outfit.

She walked with a fashionable cane. In life she made lemonade. I am heartbroken, I weep for our collective loss. O Death. Oh, lovely, vivacious Anne Marie. We miss you. I will never forget you. Votes: +3

I am thankful for the opportunity to meet Annie Marie as it allowed me to experience her unique ability to make everyone she comes in contact with become a better person. Thank you Annie Marie. You have improved many lives and had more impact in this world than you will ever know. Your influence and your story will continue on as those of us you left behind will never forget you. Votes: +1

I remember Anne Marie training me to GENERATE a Seminar Announcement.

I was a Seminar Leader Apprentice. And was mocking with Ann Marie. She laughed right out loud in that deep, sexy, throaty voice of hers ...

HONEY! Where is the DIVA in you? Comeon, Girl! Give it all you've got!

And I cut loose and let it rip ...

Now, today, I have led Seminars, I have led the Wisdom Course ... and my leading has always been inside the shadow of her influence.

What a wonderful woman, lady, friend, and self-expression you have been to so many thousands, Anne Marie!

Thank you for your grace under pressure. Thank you for the hard-hitting, belting kick-in-the-ass you would give any one of us at any time! And, we were better for it!

You will always live for us in the lives of so many people, and in the smiles of their hearts. That they will never have any way of knowing that you sourced!

Who you have been -- and will continue to be for me, is the GENESIS of a NEW REALM of Possibility!

God Bless you on this next leg of your journey! Please continue to be the Guardian Angel to us that you are!

With Great Love,

Tony and Judy Lane Mravle Votes: +2

Dear Anne Marie,

Thank you for touching my life through your blog. I've laughed, cried, gotten angry, been inspired and so much more. I am a better me, because you touched my life. Thank you. God speed as you continue your journey. Votes: +0

I'm extremely upset at seeing what has happened to you. Anne Marie, you're the most intelligent positive outlook person I have ever met in my entire life!! I met you in May in DC at Advocacy. We talked a lot about your family being possibly a familial ALS...I wanted so bad to help you explore this. Your blog keeps me going. I just want you to know that I truly love you and appreciate all the emails you sent me and all the advice you offered me. I love you always and I promise I will NEVER be silent about stopping ALS. Votes: +0

I only met Anne Marie a few months ago in my Le Tip group. In that time, I learned how she made lemonade out of some of the lemons that had come her way. I remember her telling us recently that she was being lazy and using her ALS as excuse not to exercise. I will miss seeing her every Thursday and I'm sorry I didn't get more time with her. Votes: +0

Anne Marie was an exceptional woman. She had a wicked sense of humor and such an infectious smile. I was in LeTip with her and saw her on Thursday mornings. We would always talk shoes. High shoes, low shoes, boots. I remember the morning we came in with the same platform sandals in different colors. Those are the times I'll remember about her, or the time we met at NAHA for drinks at the bar, and we proceeded to get buzzed as all the bartenders and the owner, knew Anne Marie. They just new what she drank, what she liked, and treated her like a Queen. That was such a memorable night, and one I will never forget. She was so witty and even though she would write down what she wanted to say, it was pretty cutting and hysterical, every time. She didn't pull any punches, and told you like it was. She is an angel in heaven, with a grin from ear to ear, charming everyone up there. Have some bubbly, babe! Votes: +0

Having known Anne Marie for 15 years, there are more stories I would love to share than I can hope to compose right here, right now.
However, my first epitaph for / to her is:
" She Lived ! " Votes: +5

Anne Marie -

I just wanted to say "Thank You" for touching my life and the lives of so many. You are an inspiration to so many and your legacy in fighting ALS will live on.

Thank you Marge and Ron for raising such a beautiful woman. Anne-Marie brought light and hope into so many lives. We loved our Anne-Marie.

I miss you and love you always.

Andrea E. Bollinger Votes: +0

I have never met Anne Marie. I only know her through her blog. I have followed her since Day 1. I feel fortunate to have followed this brave and courageous person just out of sheer luck in surfing the web one day. Her openness and her experiences that she has shared are an inspiration. This is a very bad disease, and once it gets ahold of you, it's a constant struggle.
I am praying for Anne Marie.
Votes: +2

It was absolutely God's will that we passed through Anne Marie's life. Praise God for her! Thank YOU ANNE MARIE!!!!! Votes: +0

I consider myself very lucky to have known such an amazing woman. In such a big city, it is remarkable to find how many people she has touched in such a short life time. I was also lucky enough to be her neighbor, and got to spend many an sunny afternoon on our roof top enjoying each others company while taking in the Chicago sun. Anne Marie was a woman that, no matter what the circumstance, when you saw her, she made you feel infinitely special. This is just one of the things that made her so special. How blessed we all are to have had her in our lives. My thoughts are with her family and all of us who have sustained this loss. To her parents, no words can describe how grateful I am that you raised such a spectacular woman. Votes: +1