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Dozens of condolences were offered and remembrances shared on AAVS's online Guest Book in the weeks following Tina's death on October 19, 2006.
All of them were deeply appreciated. The following excerpted entries include remembrances from family, friends and colleagues.
Tina's Gift
From time to time Tina talked of wanting more than just the temporary relief afforded by the occasional tropical vacation.
In the midst of episodes of exhaustion she pictured herself effortlessly and endlessly walking beaches in a kinder, simpler place.
However, Tina's gift and burden was that she would not avert her attention from the needs of the animals who can only say stop! with their hearts and eyes.
Tina willingly carried the pictures of their stolen lives in her mind and drew from them her energy and devotion. She could always see so clearly Sam Chimpanzee imprisoned in that biker bar,
and so many others enduring a life so far from the beach.
While Tina surely loved the warmth of the sun and dreamed of escape, she gave her adult life to the possibility of a different world.
She wanted a world where people took their life as it came and lived it right there and then, not nervously hoping and waiting for the next medical discovery so
riddled with hidden betrayals.
Tina worked for a world where scientists told the truth, where strays went to respectful homes, where the pain and distress was really reduced, and where primates
who had been the medical surrogates of the human race could find protected sanctuary.
With courage, grace, and intelligence Tina moved that world closer to reality.
-John Gluck
Tina was a wonderful friend, boss, and person and she will be missed by everyone at AAVS. Thank you Tina!
Thanks for all the hard work on behalf of the animals, and for being such a caring, sweet and supportive friend and boss.
-Lauren Zaprala
I was so terribly saddened to hear of Tina's death. I had known her for more than 20 years and had the honor and privilege of working with her in many areas:
animal sheltering, cruelty investigations and animal research issues. I will very much miss such a tremendous voice for animals and a dear friend.
-Martha Armstrong
I am glad to have known Tina Nelson for the past 6 years. She was more than a boss,
Tina treated all of the staff at AAVS like family. In her short time here, Tina touched many
lives, both human and non-human! She will be sorely missed.
-Nicole Green
Tina had so much compassion, not just for the animals, but for everyone around her. She was always so supportive. I miss her so much.
I will always carry Tina with me and I know I am a better person for having known her.
-Julie Sinnamon
Sincere condolences from the UK to all Tina's family and friends. The animals have lost a true and loyal friend. May her legacy shine as a beacon of inspiration.
-Carol Newman
Tina was a great boss, and a kind soul. I will miss her laughter, her mothering, and her strong sense of leadership. A true friend to animals, Tina will be missed by many species.
-Nicole Perry
Tina lived her life authentically. Her quiet determination and peaceful interactions with everyone in her life were evident not only at AAVS and with her family, but even more so
in the last months she so tenaciously faced death. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have known her, to have laughed and cried with her, to have memories of her.
Tina was an excellent teacher, a leader beyond compare, and I will miss her beautiful spirit that graced our lives every day.
-Heather Gaghan
Tina was a wonderful, intelligent, and caring supervisor and friend; A beautiful person overall. I enjoyed and appreciated having the opportunity to work for her,
and I greatly admire all that Tina has accomplished in her life to help those that need our protection. Tina has forever made an impact on my life, as she has on so many others.
-Laura Ducceschi
Tina and I worked side by side for more than 10 years, she stole my heart and she will always have a part of it. She was one of the most likable people I've ever known.
Her love of life and especially the plight of innocent animals gave reason for her to have been here.
-Jeanne Borden
I worked with Tina for over 7 years. Time and time again, I saw that she was devoted to making AAVS a leader in breaking down barriers to animal welfare protections.
She was a caring friend, and I enjoyed working with her. I will miss her greatly, and my thoughts are with her children whom she frequently and proudly mentioned.
-Tracie Letterman
I will always admire Tina for being such a supportive and strong, yet sensitive, leader and for her willingness to consistently mediate both mundane and serious situations with ease.
Though her life was filled with love and adventure, she also took on some of the most difficult jobs that exist. May her beloved family and friends find peace in knowing how inspiring
Tina is and how very deeply she loved them.
-Crystal Miller-Spiegel
I began working with Tina and AAVS almost 9 years ago and Tina became much, much more than a client to me in a short time. She was a friend, a kindred spirit, and always a person of
deep conviction who was able to convey her beliefs with humor and realism, never trying to bully people into agreeing with her. I believe that was her true gift. She loved what she did
and the people around her and her love was infectious. I will miss her deeply and feel honored to have called her my friend.
-Pam Costanzi
What an unfortunate loss for the people and animals who she loved! Tina was a courageous woman who fought for hard for the important causes in life. We will all miss her kindness and
her strength.
-Joseph Ludwig
It was a privilege to work with Tina on behalf of animal rights for the past decade. In her short life, Tina touched the lives of so many individuals and organizations, and she
accomplished very, very much. She will be happily remembered, but sadly missed.
-Richard Torpey, Esq.
I feel so fortunate to have worked with Tina for 2 and a half years. Though the work at AAVS was often difficult and an uphill struggle, Tina made the office an enjoyable place to be.
She definitely knew how to have fun! At the same time, she cared very deeply about both her work and her family. She truly made an impact during her time on the planet. I learned so much
from her. My thoughts are with her family, friends and co-workers.
-Sara Chenoweth
Tina, I am very sad that the animals have lost such commited, fun loving, and outgoing person. I worked for Tina for 3 years and remember how she would laugh until she cried, and have
the rest of us laugh right along with her. She brought such life to the organization and to my life. Tina had such compassion for animals and a passion for life. Tina, we will all
miss you.
-Mary Beth Lane (Armitage)
Tina was an amazing role model, mentor, boss, and all-around person. We are certainly blessed and better for having been fortunate enough to have had her in our lives.
We love her and she is greatly missed.
-Cynthia Zipfel
Our deepest sympathies go out to Tina's family, friends, co-workers and all the animals who have been spared undue cruelty by her work.
Tina inspired us to become aware of animal rights and advocacy about 17 years ago at her store, Kind Earth, lighting the path for us to speak and battle on behalf of those unable to
speak or fight for themselves. Our hearts are broken knowing Tina's life was cut short, but take solace in the advancements she was able to accomplish in an otherwise complex arena.
May she be in a place of comfort.
-Rose and Joanne Strong and Graziano
Tina had the rare ability to engage in serious and difficult work while retaining lightheartedness and optimism. She was always a pleasure to deal with. I'm grateful to have had the
opportunity to work with her and truly appreciate the difference she made for animals.
-Barbara Stagno
I was very sorry to hear of Tina's passing. Although she was a staunch advocate for her convictions, she was always willing to listen to all aspects of animal welfare issues.
I know she will be missed.
-Dale Schwindaman
Tina always demonstrated what commitment to animals means. She held her beliefs open for the rest of us to see and appreciate, and was always respectful enough to listen to view points
that differed from her own, a quality that earned her the respect of the entire animal community.
-Joe Bielitzki
Agradecemos a Tina la dura batalla que diķ en su vida por proteger a los animales de la crueldad de los laboratorios.
-Elba Muņoz Lopez
Tina was an awesome and inspiring woman- I remember numerous conversations with her about how poorly animals are treated worldwide and I will always remember her passion, compassion and
commitment- the world is a much poorer place without Tina, but we must always kind in mind that we all make a difference and follow Tina's heart and example as a spokesperson
for all animal beings.
-Marc Bekoff
Tina Nelson was my mother, and my best friend. Although I regret never being able to work along side of her in her struggle for animal rights, I am extremely grateful to have spent the
time I was given with her. My mom was the greatest, most caring person I have ever met, and she has taught me so much. I am so proud to have had such a wonderful role model in my life,
and I will miss her guidance and love terribly. I sincerely thank everyone for their support and kind thoughts. I hope that one day I will be able to make close to as much of a
difference as my graceous mother did.
I love you Mom.
-Brit Malinauskas
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