I have been asked to say a few words on behalf of The Nature Conservancy, an organization to which Surain devoted thirteen years and committed herself completely to protecting the planet she loved so well. I am honored to do so. Of course, like all of you, my relationship with Surain goes far beyond a single dimension. So I'd like to speak to Surain, and to Robert today about what is in my heart for you.

My dear Surain: I want to share with you a few of the memories I most cherish. They reveal the very personal gifts you have given to me. I only wish you could see the shining eyes gathered here, how they tell countless stories like mine.

My very first awareness of you came on a day in early August, 1988, when I stood, harried and flustered, surrounded by moving boxes in my home in Boise, Idaho, on the eve of my trip to Seattle to start my new job with The Nature Conservancy. The postman arrived to deliver a card and, upon opening it, I found a message, signed by all the staff members, welcoming me in advance to my new job. How can I tell you how that single moment, your doing, of course, has lived in my heart - simple and thoughtful act which gave me my first impression of what it would be like to join The Nature Conservancy of Washington.

Do you remember how, in 1991, a group of us at "WAFO," as you always called the Washington Field Office, decided we wanted to recognize you for your many contributions as our office manager to the smoothe running of things. We nominated you for recognition in the Conservancy-wide publication called the One Conservancy. You were, of course, shy about receiving honor, but agreed, nevertheless, to let me interview you. No wonder that your colleagues described you as "the glue that holds us all together." And what I loved most, and have thought about countless times in the day to day of my own life, was how you said that "Whenever a task crosses my desk, I always try to make it easier for the next person down the line." That's exactly how it was and what a difference that philosophy made!!

Surain, more than ten years later, your gentle hand is still at work in our office. I see it in the fine tradition of acknowledgment you cultivated, your insistence that, no matter how large we grew, it's still important to take the time to remember the special occasions of each and every person.

For me, Surain, yours is an extraordinary gift of seeing - whether a task to do or the special needs of a friend, or the sheer beauty of the natural world your treasured so dearly. The amazing thing is how a gift like that can open the world for those around you.

Just a few weeks ago, I told you how, on a heartachingly beautiful, crystal clear morning here in Seattle, your presence brought me in touch with the miracle of a new day dawning. As I told you then, I watched from my window the light over the snowclad Olympic Mountains shift from rose to violet to gold and saw it as if through your eyes. What I said then, and is still true, was that I saw the day as never before, moved to a deeper awareness of the preciousness of just this moment. Your presence then, as now, is like a glorious music, the very best that life has to offer.

I felt that same sense, just a few days ago when, sitting across the table from our mutual friend Laura, we were sharing our sadness. As she spoke of you and of Robert, through her tears, she was more radiant than I have ever seen her. The only way to say it is that love filled that room to overflowing.

Of course, it is in your relationship with Robert that many of us have found our greatest inspiration and, for many of us, that's the hardest part of your leaving us.

And so, I turn to Robert. To say I am truly awed by the example of your life together, the sheer ground you covered round and round the world, your insatiable desire to explore and understand other cultures and then bring the best of them home to share with all of us. By the profound care you took of each other through the most difficult of times. I pray today that my own marriage with my husband Mark may be worthy of such an example.

Robert and Surain - together you have brought such joy to this world and created among us all a community of caring. We now extend to you our arms and our hearts in love and care for you.