Farewell, Dear Pepsi

A Wonderful Friend to There

 by Rose_Blossom

 

 

Members of our community were shocked and saddened to learn about the loss of one of its long-time citizens, as well as a brave and noble lady.  On December 29th, we received a post in the Official Forums that told us of the untimely passing of our friend, Pepsi. 

 

By devonette ~

“It is with great sadness that I must tell you that a lovely person known to us as Pepsi has passed away Tuesday. She was one of the most loving and helpful people in both the There community and the Uru/Myst community. She was a beta tester in both worlds, and always cheerful, upbeat and helpful no matter what personal health issues she herself was having. There has been an outpouring of love for her on the various Myst/Uru forums, as well as a very stirring tribute site.”

Some of us were extremely close to Pepsi, and accompanied her on the journey between Uru Live and There and back to Uru again.  Many of us knew Pepsi when she first came to There in April, 2003.  There were those of you who worked at her side during the early days of Beta, when she modeled and worked for designer TinYang.  You shared her joy at being able to run and explore and laugh, even during her most painful hours.   You listened, perhaps, to the stories she shared, about Uru and the best times of her life.  Perhaps, you were fortunate enough to call her "friend." 

By Goldielocks ~
I met Pepsi around April or so. I started There in January, and she started in April. We both met, because we both liked fashion shows, we both started to work for TinYang, a lady designer in those days, which she is no longer in There. Pepsi and I worked together doing these fashion shows, she was a coordinator, model, teacher of models. I was the planner, announcer and PR worker of the club TinYang fashions Designs. Pepsi was a great lady, loyal friend. Never had anything bad to say about anyone, she was fun to be with, and even so in RL she was on her scooter at home, in There she was as free as a butterfly, to move around, and this she did, very nicely too. She loved quests, she had one friend who loves these quests too…nikki1loo, so they were always doing these quests and having fun. She made many friends in There.  I will never forget Pepsi, she was a great friend, and she was a Christian lady, so she is with God right now.

Recently, I attended  the service that was held in Pepsi's honor, hosted by some of her friends who came from the Uru Neighborhood.  They spoke about Pepsi and remembered her with love.  They talked about her love for this world and the others she visited.  They all wished her well on her next journey, and everyone felt relief that she would not hurt  any longer.

Pepsi lived her life in a scooter…an electric wheelchair, since the age of 16.  She was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 13.  She said that she remembered what it was like to run and jump, but that she hadn’t been able to do that for over 20 years… When she was able to come into There, and also Uru live, she was able to feel that feeling of freedom, of flying, once again!

 

From Stungthumbz

Many times, particularly during the dark days just before Uru closed, I remember spending many hours sitting around the fountain in the Guild of Greeters Neighborhood, where Pepsi was a cheerful and enthusiastic presence.  Her departure is our loss and Heaven's gain.  I expect that by now she has organized marathons throughout the Holy City.

When something like this happens, it is very difficult, at least for some people, to put into perspective.  It is difficult to think past the avatar and into the heart and soul of the human being that "pulls the strings" and gives our avatars life.  (Yes, we are all flesh and blood!  Not just paint and pixels!) 

From Soosi ~

You were such a friend and inspiration, Pepsi, and brought us all such sweet joy. It seems like only yesterday we were running around beta carefree and pain free. Uru and There will never be the same and the world has lost an extraordinary soul. I will miss you so much.

The following is an insert from an article Pepsi wrote about her travels from Uru, to There, to Uru, reprinted, with permission, from the Myst Worlds Forum Site (printed December 29, 2004)

 “When I began testing There I thought I had found heaven. And I had in a way. I spent many fun filled hours in There. My avatar could do so much. Run, sit, walk, jump….. it was pretty neat, it felt neat. And I really loved being in There.” 

At the memorial service for Pepsi, everywhere, there were those who spoke beautiful, joyful, caring things about the friend they had in both There and in the Uru community.  I almost felt like I was intruding on something very private and sacred…but everyone there wanted to tell me, share with everyone, what a magnificent lady Pepsi was.

 

By Shooter

Pepsi, we met in There and had so much fun running and jumping and looking for those quests. I loved talking to you, you were such a caring person. We found out we had so many things in common, like Pepsi and even our names. Will miss you always

You may visit the peaceful setting for Pepsi’s memorial (teleport link) n the Uru neighborhood in There, and read the book written in her honor by her husband, Danny, and the friends in There who adored her.  There are also more writings by Pepsi, herself.

A beautiful webpage of Remembrance has been posted to honor Pepsi’s Memory.  You are welcome to leave a post to be published on the site.  Send an e-mail to the webmaster, and in a day or so, your comments will be posted..  The page is a wonderful place for Pepsi’s friends to gather together from both worlds, from There and from the Uru Community, and remember our Pepsi, remember the good times we had with her, and remember why she was the spirit she was, and still is.  I think she would enjoy that.

 

 

“I was Pepsi, who could walk and run and jump, and

Oh God, that was wonderful!”

~ Pepsi~

December 5, 1953 – December 28, 2004