Thursday 27th June 2013 ... Chris M

Geoff
You don't know me, and you have no reason to
I have been an occasional visitor to your website for many years (since the early 2000s) and I stop by once in a while to see how my 'imaginary' Australian friends are doing
I am an American living near Washington DC
I've enjoyed watching your children grow and mature, and seeing you and Sharon enjoy many adventures
Thank you for inviting the world into your lives
Imagine my shock, sadness and dismay when I visited today, after many months absence, to read of Tanya's passing
I can't claim to feel your sadness and sense of loss, but I have two daughters and two sons of my own, so I can at least imagine it
Please know that you, Sharon and Brett, and the rest of the family, will be in my thoughts and prayers
I too am a cyclist (but not a triathlete) and I know the joy of the sport
I am truly sorry to find out that Tanya has experienced the most extreme risks of the sport, and paid the ultimate price, particularly as it was at the hands of a drunk driver, one of the most senseless and easily avoided crimes
I know that words cannot do much to heal the wounds, especially the words of a stranger you've never met, but I wanted to at least acknowledge the joy that you've given me over the years, and the great loss that your daughter will be to the larger world, even if we hardly knew the real her
Peace ... Chris (aka CPTJOHNC)

Note from Geoff
Hi Chris
Thank you for taking the time to send us this note
As you can see from the addresses above, this email is being sent to all the family and I have included yours below so they can read it
Tanya was riding out to see us all at a CrossFit Session
We are devastated and heartbroken and we miss her so, so much
As you've seen from the web site, we are a very close family and shared so much, whether it was crossfit or Brett's baseball or Tanya's triathlons or just family outings
Tanya loved organising, and things like birthdays and Christmas are never going to be same without her
I guess you have looked at her Memorial Page ... HERE
The support we have had from her friends and the Cairns community has been overwhelming
Her Memorial Service was very, very sad ... but also very beautiful ... and it is something we will remember forever
Although we still cry everyday, words and thoughts like you have written and expressed are a great comfort to us
Thank you again for making contact ... Geoff

Thursday 4th July 2013 ... Jacqui Searson ... Visit to Clairvoyant

CLICK HERE ... this page updated on Monday 19th August 2013 ... and also refer to Saturday 3rd August 2013 below

Friday 5th July 2013 ... Sharon to Kelly Richardson

Hi Kelly
Tanya felt a little guilty pulling out of the Ironman 70/30
But just for a moment ... because she still had plenty of plans for other runs and rides
I found an email in my inbox that said ...
"Hey Mum, the Half Marathon at Port Douglas is near my birthday this year - you know you want to run it with me !!"
So of course I have to do it and hopefully she will be running along beside me and hauling me across the finish line !!
Tanya really loved you
She thought you were amazing and she was so delighted when you came to stay for the High School Reunion
I know you have many challenges ahead and life is not easy for you, but when I look at all the photos I see three smiling happy boys surrounded by loving family so you must be doing something right !!
Tanya would tell you to take care of yourself so make sure you do.
We miss Tanya desperately but we go on doing what we have to because she would not want us to give in to despair
Keeping busy at work helps me and training for a Half Marathon will also help me ... and Brett is going to try to do it too
Love to you ... Sharon

Monday 8th July 2013 ... Simone Roneberg

Thinking of you both

Sunday 14th July 2013 ... Juanita Maiden

I actually had a dream about Tanya last night
We were all down at the beach and you and Sharon came down to the water and lit some little floating lights in memory of Tanya
Then a whole stream of lights lit up as far as the eye could see out to the ocean
It was beautiful

Note from Geoff
Juanita ... thank you for this lovely note, and I am sending it on to Sharon, Brett and Kahlia
Yes, we are so sad, but this gave us "a happy moment"
Sharon loves to hear that Tanya is visiting with her friends
And I've got to say, she is just 'a little bit cross' that "Her Girl" hasn't yet come to her one night !!
Be patient, I tell her, because it will definately happen
There is a copy of a Facebook Post from Friday 28th June below
And I know that Sharon is going to want to 'steal' your dream as she wanted to do with Michelle's !!
She will probably write to you herself after reading this note
Regards and best wishes to you

Note from Sharon
Hi Juanita
I am glad you also had a dream about Tanya
I love that her friends make comments on Facebook and still think of her
We are so sad pretty much most of the time but we do have happy moments as well and knowing she was well loved is a great comfort to us
Every time I go to crossfit, which is very hard to do without Tanya, I wear my Pink MacDonnells Cap !! ... HERE
That was a wonderful gesture by you all
As Geoff mentioned we are so thankful for all you have done to help us
Kind regards

Note from Juanita
Hi Sharon
Thank you for your email ... it is lovely to hear from you
I often think of you all and of course Tanya
Glad that you are using the Pink Cap !!
The Moseleys are friends of ours and I know that Michelle and Rhiannon do crossfit with you
I am sure she will visit you in your dreams before too long ... she must be doing the rounds first !!

Saturday 27th July 2013 ... Adin Archer

Hi Sharon
Just lying here thinking of all the funerals I have ever been to and Tanya's wake was the only one that I have ever seen that a group of people do some burpies to a name !!
When I look back it makes me chuckle a bit at the craziness of the world and how we try to cope
T A N Y A
Thinking of you always and keep those burpies going

Note from Sharon
Hi Adin and thanks for your note
I had only been to older people's funerals and although sad, these are more expected
Tanya's service was amazing and she loved burpees that's for sure ... it seemed the right thing to do !!
The world is crazy and we cope the best way we can but I know now what is important
Loving and being loved is what is all about ... things don't matter at all !!
We have just come home from cross fit ... Brett smashed us !!

Saturday 3rd August 2013 ... Jacqui Searson

Hi Sharon, and I have been thinking of you guys today
Hope you are all okay

Note from Sharon
Hi Jacqui
Today has not been the greatest day
One of Tanya's close friends came to visit and she is not doing so well and it was very emotional
I don't know if you have looked at THIS link but she wanted to see it today when she came
The Color Run last week was the first thing we have done without Tanya ... HERE
Two of her friends asked me to join them and I was very touched ... it was so sad but it was fun too
Our life is so very different now
I have told quite a few people close to me and Tanya about your visit to the clairvoyant
They too were amazed and happy to hear what happened
I think of her and the things you told me every day ... it helps me cope with the fact that she isn't here where she should be
Thanks for your thoughts ... funny, I thought yesterday at work that I would write to you on the weekend !!

Note from Jacqui
Oh, that is just beautiful ... you are such a very special family
We are planning a holiday for later in the year
I used to live in Cairns and we honeymooned in Port Douglas and think we will head north again
If we do, I'd love to meet you and Geoff in person given that you are on my mind every day
I've lost people in my life before, but Tanya's departure from this life has had such a massive effect
I still think about her every day ... it's almost like she is somehow around reminding me to make every second count
And by reading other people's statuses on her Facebook Page, I know they feel the same
I thought about you yesterday at work, too ... strange !!
Hope you are okay ... sounds like today was very hard ... sending you much love

Note from Sharon
She certainly touched a lot of people ... more than we knew
I am sure we will meet one day but it doesn't matter if we don't ... seems like we have a connection !!

Sunday 11th August 2013 ... Mark and Wendy Carmady

Hi Sharon
I think about you and Geoff all the time ... I hope you are getting along okay ... and how is Brett going ??
Are you working ??
Would you like to come for a visit one evening ??
An early evening drop in for a drink or perhaps I can try duplicate the lamb stew recipe !!
Lots of love

Note from Sharon
Hi Wendy
Thank you for thinking of us
We are surviving and getting through the days one at a time
I don’t believe it is getting any easier
Yesterday was so sad for us because Tanya was all booked and paid to run in the 'Sydney to Surf' race
She was meeting up with friends and going to have a wonderful time
It is terrible she is not here to live her life as she should and we miss her so much
I have been back at work for a quite a while now and it is a lifesaver ... keeping busy is the best thing for me
I am also training to run the '21k Half Marathon' in Port Douglas in November ... HERE
Tanya and I were going to run it together and now Brett is going to do it with me
Geoff has spent a lot of time keeping Tanya’s Memorial Page up to date
I don’t know if you have seen it but it is quite amazing ... here is the LINK
What we find incredible is all the things Tanya’s friends write on her Facebook Page
They are posted almost daily and we want to keep the notes ... they are too precious to lose
They are recorded in the link above in the section "Hello Tanya – Messages via Facebook"
It is my birthday next week which is going to be hard
And then my two sisters are coming for a few days the week after
Perhaps I could contact you early in September and we could catch up
Love to you both

Note from Wendy
Thanks, Sharon, for the email
Yes, so many days, events, times to get through ... it must be very hard
It is the case that the times in life that should be happiest, like birthdays, are just turned around ... it’s cruel
Pleased to hear your sisters are coming up and it is the most brilliant weather at present
Geoff has done a wonderful job and I really liked seeing the photo of 'his office' set up ... it’s very special ... HERE
If we manage to catch up early September would be nice
We are going on holiday later in the month and will be away for four weeks
Good luck with your training ... that is pretty amazing ... I’m still trying to knock a few more kilos off the old bod !!
Back to do some more work
Love to all

Wednesday 14th August 2013 ... Gavin Roneberg

You remain constantly in our prayers and thoughts

Note from Geoff
Hi, Brother ... and thank you
Sharon and I are so desparately unhappy
We get through the days with each other close by
We know our lives must go on
We have a wonderful son Brett and we try for his sake to be 'normal'
Her friends, along with Brett's and ours, have been a great support
Almost everyday there are "Hello, Tanya" messages on her Facebook Page
I copy everyone of them and you can see them ... HERE
There are some terrible days coming up
Sharon's Birthday is on Thursday 22nd and that is not going to be "happy"
Then there is Father's Day
The Girl's Birthday is the 9th November ... and then Christmas without her
Day - By - Day ... that's all we can do
Love to you all down there
Hi ... Terry and Rodney and Sue
Sending you a copy of this too ... just to say hello

Note from Rodney and Sue
Hi Geoff and Sharon
Sending a hello back to you
Thanks for your updates
We send our love across the miles

During July and August 2013 ... Kelly Richardson

Hi Kelly
Tanya felt a little guilty pulling out of the Ironman 70/30 but just for a moment as she still had plenty of plans for other runs and rides
I found an email in my inbox that said "Hey Mum, the Half Marathon at Port Douglas is on my birthday this year ... you know you want to run it with me"
So of course I have to do it ... and hopefully she will be running along beside me and hauling me across the finish line !!
Tanya really loved you
She thought you were amazing and she was so delighted when you came to stay for the High School Reunion
I know you have many challenges ahead and life is not easy for you but when I look at all the photos I see three smiling happy boys surrounded by loving family so you must be doing something right !!
Tanya would tell you to take care of yourself so make sure you do
We miss Tanya desperately but we go on doing what we have to because she would not want us to give in to despair
Keeping busy at work helps me and training for the marathon will also help me
Brett is going to try to do it too
Love to you

Note from Kelly
Hello Sharon
Thank you so much for your email ... that you reached out to me had me in tears ... and I feel so bad that I haven't contacted you yet
I have really wanted to ring you, but I still cannot remain composed
I am crying before I even pick up the phone, and the last thing I want is to ring you only to break down on the phone
There is so much I want to say and I don't know where to begin ... I am just so incredibly sorry
Like all of Tanya's friends, I am just devastated
I remember logging onto Facebook and reading the status on Tanya's page, and reading what it said in disbelief, re-reading, thinking no way, who's written this ... such utter panic and confusion
I remember pleading on Facebook for someone from school to please email me now ... what has happened ?? ... and going back to her page and re-reading the status that she was gone
And then seeing Deb Parsons had commented R.I.P. and I just broke down
And I immediately thought of you, Geoff and Brett
I am devastated that I have lost such a wonderful friend, but I am truly heart-broken for you, Geoff, Brett and Kahlia
And I feel like I am grieving Tanya's passing in two different ways, and it is hard to explain
For myself, over the loss of such a dear friend, but I am also grieving for you and Geoff
I have lived with the knowledge that we will eventually lose Aidan, and the pain of just 'knowing' he will be gone one day is incomprehensible, so I cannot even begin to imagine what you and Geoff are going through, and my heart breaks for you, so, so, so much
I miss her so much, but it is you and Geoff I also think of every single day
And wonder how you are in that moment I am thinking of you
I can't really articulate what I mean, but please know that there has not been a day that has gone by where I have not thought of you
And of course, I think of Tanya, and miss her like crazy
I deeply regret not going to Cairns for her funeral
In my mind I explained my reasons to her, that I had not been able to attend one since Aidan was diagnosed, and that to go to someone's who I cared about so much would break me
And in my mind she was okay with that
But I regret it so much
Instead, I found a quiet place on Burleigh Hill, and sat there from the time her Memorial started, through to when I thought her funeral afterwards would be finished, and I reflected on a wonderful person, a fabulous friend, all the fun times, and watched the runners and the walkers and the boot-campers all doing things that Tanya loved so much
I am so desperately grateful for the weekend I spent with her in October for our School Reunion ... HERE
My god, did we have the best weekend ever !!
It was so much fun, and like we were seventeen again !!
Another confirmation that no matter where in the world you live and how long it has been since you last saw a great friend, you truly do pick up where you left off like no time has passed at all
It just sucks that Australia is so big !!
I have the most wonderful memories of that weekend which I shall treasure forever
Lots of gossip and sharing of stories and secrets, haha !!
We were so busy gossiping the whole weekend, we never even got a photo of the two of us together
Well, we did, but Tanya didn't like it, lol, so we said we'd get another one later, which we forgot to do, and I have no doubt she would have deleted the one she didn't like !!
When she dropped me off to go home I said to her we forgot to get a photo together, and as we didn't get home until 5.00am and were therefore not really looking too great, we decided to wait and get a fab one next time we caught up
So, instead of looking at the last photo of the two of us, every time I am on Facebook, I go to the last photo that Tanya was tagged in, posted by her friend Erinn, which was taken on Sunday 5th May 2013
I love that photo ... she is as beautiful and as radiant as ever, and she looks so happy and content (below)

And I look at the one that I took of her before we headed out to her Reunion, like I did just now before emailing you, because in it she really 'is' looking at me
And as gorgeous as ever (below)

The short blue dress she is wearing in the photo with her friend Erinn ... I have that now
Also her signed high school seniors shirt
They are hanging in my wardrobe, and I see them every time I open it, which makes me think of that photo, and her smile and the twinkle she always had in her eye
I have her "The Paleo Solution" book that she gave me, and we make her date balls
But I am yet to master her restraint and instead of eating a batch over the course of days, I usually scoff the lot in twenty four hours !!
But I love 'Tanya's Date Balls'
When I got back from my weekend with her, I went out and bought a hot pink bougainvillea just like the one she had outside her home
Now, whenever I see one in that colour, I think of her
There are a lot of things that make me think of her, not just recently, but over the years, and ESPECIALLY every time I drive up or down Trinity Beach Road, whether it is now, fifteen years ago, or in thirty years from now, I always, always think of Tanya, because I can remember the kilometres I used to clock up walking from my house in Jamieson Street, down to your house, to see if she was home, and back again
I remember one day walking down four times as I had something juicy to tell her, but you were out all day !!
I read all the messages people leave on Tanya's wall, all the people who loved her and all the people she continues to inspire
She has left a legacy of inspiring people to help themselves to become healthier/better people, which is truly amazing in itself
I really don't think she realised just how truly loved she was, and by so many people
But what I know to be true is that she was incredibly happy and content where she was in life
I came home telling my husband Brett that she is in such a good place and it was so wonderful to see
I know she had plans for her future, but she sure did pack in so much life, love and adventure into every corner of her life
And above all she loved her family ... never a prouder sibling have I ever come across
She loved you all so much, and I am so desperately sorry for the loss you have all suffered, and send my deepest condolences to you all
Tanya will occupy a little piece of my heart, always, and I will never, ever forget her
Sending you all much love, each and every single day, now and always

Note from Geoff
Hi Kelly, and it is Geoff here
I have just read your letter above, and then read it again and then once more
So much in it that made me just sit here and cry
But it is so very beautiful and I am going to keep it forever
Sharing your memories made me feel closer to Our Darling Daughter
As Sharon wrote, we miss her desparately and time is not going to change that ... she is part of us
In case you don't know, I have made a Memorial Page for Tanya and it can be seen by clicking on this link ... HERE
Lots of 'sad' details, and in it you'll see that she now lives with us here in Trinity Beach
I update it nearly every day with the notes her friends put on Facebook
Also, it was Sharon's Birthday yesterday and a couple of "very special" things happened
They are not on this page yet because I am still working on the pages, photos and videos
You may have seen posts on Tanya's Facebook Page, plus Sharon will write to you tonight and tell you everything that happened !!
( and I'll send you a link to the web site when it's finished )
Thank you for being such a terrific friend to Tanya Mary

Note from Sharon
Hi Kelly
We will treasure your email always ... how sad but beautiful it is
As Geoff said, thanks for being Tanya's friend
I remember the weekend you came I had wanted to see you
I asked Tanya if you coming to cross fit ... she said "Mum, she has three boys ... she never gets to sleep in"
It made me laugh !!
I have a few more things to write to you but I need to delve into our website to find what I want so expect to hear from me soon
The "hot pink bougainvillea" ... have you seen THIS link ?? ... and now you have one too ... I love that !!
Talk soon, dear girl

Saturday 31st August 2013 ... Jacqui Searson

Hi Geoff, this one's for you
I hope tomorrow (Father's Day ... HERE) is not too hard and that you get to remember all the special times you had with Tanya
And if the website is anything to go by, there were plenty of them !!
I remember Tanya talking about you when we were away
I seem to recall she said you had a quirky sense of humour and were always sending her funny messages that made her laugh
Gosh, she loved her family
No doubt she will be with you tomorrow as I'm sure she is every day

Note from Geoff
Really, really appreciate this note and your thoughts
We brought two bottles of Champagne back here from her home
One is for Tanya Mary's birthday and the other is for today
So at Midday we'll be cracking it open and having a drink for both her and Brett
There are lots of terrific memories but we miss her like all hell

Note from Jacqui
Well, Geoff, at lunch time when I have a Father's Day drink, I will be doing a silent toast to you and to Tanya and the rest of your family
I hope you have a nice day
Much love to you and Sharon

Monday 2nd September 2013 ... Melissa Harwood

Hi Geoff, and yesterday (Father's Day ... HERE) would have been pretty tough to get through
I spent some quiet time at my Dad's graveside reflecting on his life and the memories that came to my mind were quite amusing, which I guess made me smile, even though there is still that void of not having him here
It was a very difficult year for me last year losing both my parents and my marriage/family, and the anniversaries or special occasions I still find hard to get through
I pray that your memories continue to sustain you amidst the heartache
I think your website and photo gallery is truly marvelous ... you do a fantastic job
I believe in keeping photos and memorabilia
Every moment is a historic moment
I have a huge treasure box of historic moments and snapshots
Kind regards ... Melissa

Note from Geoff
Hi Melissa, and thank you for the wonderful words you wrote
Yes, I agree ... the days that have "Special Names" are very hard to get through
I am very glad that, back in 2001, I decided to build our Web Site ... it means so much to us now
Regards and best wishes ... Geoff

Tuesday 3rd September 2013 ... Jason Glackner

Hi Geoff, Sharon and Brett
Hoping you are doing as well as can be expected
I miss our Tanya every single day but there are constant reminders that she is around and this makes me smile
I was hoping that (and if okay with you all) I can have one of the photos on here
It's when she was awarded the Level 3 Statistician Certificate and holding a Cake
It has her beaming smile that I miss so, so much
I would love to get a copy so I can have it framed to put in my room so she is with me everyday
Just wanted to ask firstly
Sending you all much love

Note from Geoff
Hi Jason, and your words are really nice
As you wrote, we also miss her and that smile so, so much
There is definately no problem at all with your plans about the photo ... in fact, we love the idea !!
Send me an email ( geoff@ronebergcairns.com ) and I'll do what I can to get you a high resolution image file suitable for printing
Thanks for your thoughts ... it is one day at a time, but we are doing sorta okay
Regards and best wishes

Note from Geoff
A follow up to the earlier note
The Cairns Taipans have replied and I will have the original files tomorrow

I will send both of these shots as soon as you let me know your email address
They are fabulous but sad as well ... HERE

Note from Jason
Hi Sharon and Geoff
Nice to hear that you are doing okay
I do think of you both often
I am confident that 'Our Angel' would be looking down on us all now
I know she certainly is when I am slacking off on the running track !!
It is so kind of you to send the pictures
I have many from our travels that I treasure but these particular ones remind me of her so much
My email addresses are 'jason.glackner@team.telstra.com' and 'jasonglackner@yahoo.com.au'
Thanks again, Geoff ... it is truly appreciated
Kind regards

Note from Geoff
Sharon has CrossFit Training tonight ... if I don't get the two files sent after that, I'll do it first thing in the morning
In respect to the running, you'll have to have a "Tanya Mary" tattoo like Sharon and Brett, right where you can see it so The Girl can give you a 'kick-in-the-butt' when necessary !! ... HERE

Note from Jason
Looks great, guys ... she would love it I'm sure
Thanks again for everything and look forward to the photos
I'll send you a photo of the framed picture

Note from Geoff
Hi again
And here are the original files of the two posters that were displayed at her Memorial Service
They are large, each being around 6Mb to 7Mb, so I'm sending them in two emails
I have not done any cropping or enhancing ... decided to leave that to you and the printer, etc
Not sure if you know, but she is being presented with her Level 3 Statistician Certificate
This was on the 10th November 2012 ... the day after her Birthday ... so she got a cake as well !!
Sharon and I "pinched" the Certificate from her, had it framed with a couple of photos, and then gave it back to her for Christmas
Have a look HERE and HERE
Can't wait to see the finished result !!
We miss Our Girl so very, very much
Geoff and Sharon

Note from Jason
Thanks, Geoff ... they are treasured photos that will have a place in all our hearts forever
Kaz ... I thought you would want to this as well ... a beautiful reminder of our beautiful friend