May 16, 2022 — Our beloved Cardie Oma Hannlis woke up in heaven yesterday morning. Naomi, the daughter she never had, put it beautifully, “Hannlis never feared death. She feared no longer being able to fully live life. It was time.”
We will celebrate her 98 years and lovely legacy in stories and photos another day. Today, especially if you’re one of the incredibly kind cardies who sent her cards and little gifts on a regular basis, just know you have one very dear fan watching over you now. The simple joy your cards and kindnesses brought Hannlis cannot be overstated, but then your own heart surely knows how you touched hers.
Three of us in the seaside sisterhood that H so loved being part of sat on the shore last evening, eating her favorite shrimp and drinking her beloved 100 proof peppermint schnapps. As we watched the gorgeous full moon rise up out of the ocean and climb through the puffy pinks and blues that always made Hannlis ooh and aah, Liza raised her shot glass and called, “Thanks for the show, Hannlis!” Marianne played Carly Simon’s powerful Life is Eternal that you can hear for yourself below. We all vowed to say, “I love you” more often, as Hannlis modeled so well.
Thank you for sharing our love and admiration for this most remarkable inspiration to us all. You were much-appreciated. She will be so-missed.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
My heart hurts at our loss…but oh the peace and the glory for her. What an extraordinary lady!
Hugs and prayers to all those who loved her best.
Tears being shed here, while hoping that my last card to Hannlis reached her before she left on her last beautiful journey. Prayers and love to all of you!
God bless Hannah’s! It sounds like she had a WONDERFUL spirit, and it sounds like she received a wonderful greeting!
She was such an inspiration. Thank you, dear Hannlis.
Jodee, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend & our Cardie Oma. Her spirit lives on in all of you who knew her best. Sending love & hugs.
How blessed was Hannlis to have you in her life and you to have her, Jodee.
Hope all the great memories flood your mind and heart and bring you comfort. It’s all so bittersweet.
Sending love to you, Jodee
Nancy
There is a great party in heaven to welcome Hannlis home!
What I have loved about these notes about Hannlis is that she has been with us during her last months and her stories have become part of us all.
Now, the greatest way to honor her is to keep telling her story.
Thanks, Hannlis, and thank you, Jodee, for sharing this wonderful person with us,
It filled my heart so to send the cards to Hannlis, knowing of the joy that it brought to her. Jodee, heartfelt thanks for bringing Hannlis into our lives, from afar.
Peace and love to you, Jodee
Cardie Candace
So sorry to hear about Hannlis, Jodee. How sad it is to lose a dear friend but how wonderful to have had her in your life. I only knew her from your stories, but she certainly seemed to be a perfect example of a life well lived. ❤️
Rest in peace, dear Hannlis. 💕 We’ve all been blessed by her loving spirit. Thank you so much, Jodee, for sharing her with us. Sending love and sympathy for the loss of your dear friend.
That was so beautiful Jodie. Hannlis was certainly a treasure and a gift to everyone who knew her. Thanks for sharing her story with us. I’m sad for you and those close to her because she has moved onto the next life. Hugs to all of you, Cary
Beautiful tributes to her life and work! My deepest sympathy! May she RIP!🥲
I did not know this beautiful lady but I extend my condolences to those who will miss her. She must have been quite an inspiration. Thank you for sharing the song by Carly Simon, It’s a wonderful tribute with so much meaning.
My heart just hurts reading this. Hannlis lived for us… through you Jodee. It was a gift. How is it that I never met her but I knew her? Today I will celebrate her life and re-read her stack of letters I have kept. God bless you Jodee.
Jodie, I have enjoyed all your stories about Hannlis.
I am so sorry for your loss and her family’s loss.
Thank you Jodee for introducing Hannlis to all of us. She became part of our families and a friend and my heart just aches. She was such an inspiration to me as I am sure she was to others.
I believe that knowing her through you made all of us just a little bit kinder and taught us to reach out just a little bit more to others. I am truly sorry for our loss. May she rest in peace.
… and sad is the day we have to say good-bye.
Thank you, Jodee, for sharing the wonder of Hannlis and the grief at her parting.
What a wonderful lady and such an inspiration to al. I just received (from Amazon) a packet of old time postcards from Miami. My intent was to mail them to Hannlis in Maryland. There are ten postcards – I shall send them to friends whose lives emulate the way Hannlis lived. Thoughts and prayers.
On Saturday, as I sorted through special cards and letters to take with me should our community in northern New Mexico be placed under evacuation orders due to the raging wildfires here, I came across the sweet notes and “HH” stationery Hannlis had sent in reply to my occasional correspondence. What treasures! I am grateful I could wrap her warm embrace into mine even if thousands of miles apart. I don’t think it was a coincidence I happened to think about her as she began her transition into her next glorious adventure. Travel well, dear friend, and save a place for us.
walk fearlessly into the
house of mourning,
for grief is just love
squaring up to its
oldest enemy
and after all
those mortal years,
love is up to the challenge.
thinking of you jodee
as you carry your love
into the house of mourning,
judy
Hannlis epitomized the quote Carpe Diem because she fully seized the day every day!
So lucky to know and be inspired by her.
Cheers to a life well lived and loved!
Jodee, I know how much Hannlis means to you…what a perfect way to honor her! I’m sure that God welcomed her with the words “Well done, good and faithful servant”!
My heart is sad but also full of gratitude for being introduced to this beautiful lady through cardthartic. Thanking you for sharing her with all of us. She is at peace.
Crying as I read this. Oh Hannlis, what a treasure. I just put a card in the mail the other day. Smile that sweet smile of yours toward my mom in heaven. Sincere condolences to us all.
All our condolences.
A friendly smile, a wave from the window, sightings on the beach. We will miss our neighbor., Hannlis..
Luda and Jeff
What can we leave in this life but memories and love we shared. I so enjoyed hearing from her and her stories. I found her pecans in the fridge where I stashed them last week and smiled again. Certainly a life lived so well gives us all something to strive for. I will miss my friend.
My heart is with you all as you mourn your friend. I, for one, hope I can live and die like Hannlis–full of love, having truly lived life to its fullest, to enjoy even the small things with gusto, and to be a true friend to so many.
She brightened so many lives with her enduring zest for life.
Sincere condolences to you, Jodee, and her family and friends