We lost an absolutely lovely lady on June 24th, 2026.
Keri Crook.
Keri was my mom's best friend for many years.
Keri was my landlord for almost 10 years - although it's weird calling her my landlord because she was basically just mom's bestie whom I rented her front unit, that we jokingly always called "The Caboose."
Keri was the mother to 2 of my brothers childhood friends.
But Keri was so much more than just a part of our family. She was a hippie. A music lover. An artist. A gardener. She loved Starbucks Coffee. She loved animals. She loved her grandbabies. She loved the beach and the sun and flowers and to dance.
Keri was very liberal. One of my fondest memories was standing in my Caboose watching the news when Prop 8 was finally overturned in California, 13 years ago to this very day I write this tribute, and Keri ran to my door shrieking and cheering and we embraced and cried with happiness. We toasted with champagne shortly afterwards.
Keri and I spent many hours over the years that I lived in the Caboose sitting on her deck with a glass of wine, watching her dog Yasha stare up at the squirrels constantly taunting her. I always had to go into her house to do my laundry and many times would just find myself chatting with her in the kitchen as she bustled about. She attended some of my shows with my mom. She would join mom and friends of mine on random adventures.
You could always count on Keri to be there to help out. She may have been a bit flighty with certain things, but she'd give you the shirt off her back without hesitation. Her heart was much bigger than her brain and we loved her so much for that.
Keri and my mom did everything together. We lovingly called them "The Wives". She was part of so many family holidays, gatherings, celebrations, adventures, San Clemente vacations - Hell she even got her own timeshare so her and my mom would get 2 weeks a year down there! Keri even gifted Pat and I some time down there just before our wedding to give us a chance to breathe and relax before our big day.
Usually when inviting mom to something it was always followed by "Will Keri be coming too?"
Mom and Keri ran errands together, randomly showed up at each other's houses, talked for hours, just like best friends do.
When Keri moved back east a couple of years ago, her and my mom would talk on the phone all the time. She came for a visit last Christmas and spent a few glorious days with my mom. We spent some time together and it was so great to see her. She was so very happy to be out here. Unfortunately before she was to head back home she had another bleed in her brain which landed her in care here in SoCal for about a month. Mom and I went to visit her, and that was the last time we saw her in person. She lit up as soon as we walked in and said "I've been telling everyone my favorite girls are coming today!" We stayed a while, visiting and reminiscing about the past.
When she went back home, her health declined. Mom still had many phone conversations with her until she couldn't. She left us way too soon.
My heart is so incredibly sad that the world has lost such a lovely person. A woman who had the kindest heart. The sweetest laugh. The cutest smile. I love you Keri. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
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| Mom & Keri loved San Clemente |
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| A photo adventure |
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| At our Wedding "Pop In" |
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| Pedi time |
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| Mom's birthday tea |
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| with Deb |
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| Halloween Nerds |
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| A fourth of July BBQ |
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| Xmas Baking Day |
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| Thanksgiving |
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| Boysenberry Festival |
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| Knotts Berry Farm |
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| A ladies day |
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| Mom's birthday |
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| "Snow" |
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| Descanso Night of Lights |
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| Rise of the Jack O Lanterns |
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| Keri and I helping set up for a wedding in her front yard |
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| Todd with "The Wives" |
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| A fun day at Disneyland |
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| Dorks |
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| Thanksgiving |
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| Besties |
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| Lil Spa Day |
Rest in Power Keri.
