We miss you Marnie, despite the years and changes they bring. 

Your smile is forever, my friend.

Remember me to the one who lives there...

 

Bob Dylan - Girl From The North County (1964) from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

Cheers, Marnie!

Yakutat, Alaska, 2004

A poem for your birthday MLS.

Holding the Light (Stuart Kestenbaum)

 

Gather up whatever is

glittering in the gutter,

whatever has tumbled

in the waves or fallen 

in flames out of the sky,

for it's not only our

hearts that are broken,

but the heart

of the world as well.

Stitch it back together.

Make a place where

the day speaks to the night

and the earth speaks to the sky.

Whether we created God

or God created us

it all comes down to this:

In our imperfect world

we are meant to repair

and stitch together

what beauty there is, stitch it

with compassion and wire. 

See how everything

we have made gathers

the light inside itself

and overflows? A blessing.

An underexposed photo...

As time goes by, some memories become like poorly taken photos - I can't see all of the detail, but there's enough there to stir emotion. As I think of Marnie today, her birthday, I also think of her family and friends who take care of those memories and hang on to the details as best they can. Know that I am thinking of you too. Happy Birthday Marnie!

-djr

Happy Birthday

So many of us, family and friends, are thinking of you and holding your memory close. Thanks for being you. We were lucky to have you while we did. 

On this day, in the land of palapas, pangas, and Pacificos. Marnie will always mean friendship, Alaska, adventures, energy, excitement, Bob Dylan, brant, and Baja. Cheers to you my friend!

djr

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Marnie!

I think about you everyday.

Love, Dad

View from Marnie's memorial site at Bahía San Quintín, Baja California. (Photo: C. Deane)

So light and soft the days fall -

Like petals one by one

Down from yon tree whose flowers all

Must vanish in the sun.

Like almond-petals down, dear

Odorous, rosy-white,

Falling to our green world here

Off the thick boughs of night

One like another still lies-

Tomorrow is today.

Always the buzzing bee flies,

Who never flies away.

Ever the same blue sky rounds

Its chalice for the sun.

The mountains at the world's bounds

Their purple chorals run.

And ever you and I, friend,

Free of this mortal scheme,

Look out beyond desire's end

And dream the spacious dream.

-Harriet Monroe "A Garden in the Desert"

The Fall 2017 issue of California Waterfowl has an article about Marnie's legacy in brant research and her lasting impact on the lives of those who knew her.  Click here to download a pdf of the article.

Precious Memories

"As I travel down life's pathway,

Know not what the years may hold.

As I ponder, hopes grow fonder,

Precious memories flood my soul.

Precious father, loving mother,

Glide across the lonely years.

And old homes scenes of my childhood

In fond memories appears.

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul.

In the stillness of the midnight,

Precious sacred scenes unfold."

-Bob Dylan, Precious Memories

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. On your birthday I remembered 40 years ago the cold snowing day when you were born.You brought so many many wonderful memories to so many people and will never be forgotten.  I look at your pictures everyday and have so many wonderful memories of you and your adventures. Love you dad

Happy Birthday Marnie. It is hard to believe another year has gone by.

Love you Dad

Birthday Brant! Happy Birthday Marnie! We love you and miss you. 

- Your Alaska Friends

Miss you MLS!

"May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young"

Cheers my friend, we all miss you very much. djr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARNIE

I CAN'T BELIEVE ANOTHER YEAR HAS PAST AND IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY AGAIN. YOU WOULD BE 37 TODAY WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. I MISS YOU SO MUCH AND AS I LOOK AT YOUR PICTURES EVERYDAY, I AM REMINDED OF HOW MUCH HAPPINESS YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO SO MANY PEOPLE. I THINK OF YOU EVERYDAY AND MISS YOU SO MUCH. LOVE DAD 

Adventures

Miss you Marnie. Can't help to wonder what you'd be up to if you were here. Some big adventure I'm sure. Glad I got to share some with you. I'll hold on to those memories always.
djr

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARNIE

I remember when you were born on that cold snowy Sunday afternoon in Michigan. You have brought so much happiness to so many peoples lives across North America and are deeply missed every day and even more on your birthday. You are loved by so many, in so many peoples hearts and will never be forgotten. I think of you everyday and look at your pictures throughout the house seeing your beautiful smile. I love you and am thankful for the wonderful memories. Love Dad       

She made everything fun

Miss you Shep!!

Ellie

Ballad For A Friend

"Where we go up in that North Country

Lakes and streams and mines so free

I had no better friend than she"

Happy Birthday Marnie

We celebrate you today and everyday.

Alaska friends

Happy Birthday Marnie

It is so hard to believe another birthday is here. Marnie, I think about you every day, see your face, your smile and hear your laugh. I miss you so much and can't believe it has been almost 6 years since I last spoke to you. Miss and love you Dad

We miss and love you Marnie!

HAPPY BRITHDAY MARNIE

I think of you everyday and miss you so much. Your are always in my thoughts.

I love you Dad

Jonnie Shepherd

I am very sorry to report that Marnie's mom passed away on Monday morning after a 10 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Please keep Marnie's family in your thoughts and prayers.
Ellie
Jonnie Lee Shepherd's obituary

Time goes by...

Here's to a great friend and great field biologist who is greatly missed!

Hearts still soar when they remember you

With the Olympics going on and so many strong women flying down snowy slopes, grinning huge, it's impossible not to think of Marnie.

WE MISS YOU EVERYDAY

Your memory is alive in our hearts and mind. We see you all around us everyday. We hear your voice in our hearts and see your beautiful smile in our minds. We love you always, Mom and Dad

Hug a Mutt

If you miss Marnie, hug a Mexican mutt (If you can't find one any silly ole dog will do), have a good cry, remember all the wonderful times you spent with her, and smile big .