sallyseersucker

I started working in the room service department at Raffles L'Ermitage in Beverly Hills in 2003 and was quickly introduced to Marcheline, who was living in the hotel. She had moved in at a time when she was battling cancer, since the hotel was close to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and had 24hr services; she had since gone into remission.

As the phone operator, I got to speak to her almost everyday.

I have never met a more beautiful soul. She was kind, light-hearted, and caring. It was a refreshing change from the pompous jerks that normally stayed at this "classy" hotel.

On many occasions, Marcheline would call to order room service, and would stay on the phone, just chatting with me, until her food arrived. We talked about everything from school to nutrition, religion, and our families.

She was crushed when she found out her cancer had returned. Her treatment began to make her feel ill and she often found it difficult to eat, but every time she called, she made sure she asked me how I was doing before anything else.

Marcheline and I got to be good friends, and since I had started as a cook in the kitchen, I knew what ingredients were on hand, and what she liked, and helped her come up with a variety of vegetarian dished that she could eat, even when she didn't feel well. I still remember many of the dishes that we created together and which were her favorites.

We even planned her grandson's birthday party together. She rented out the rooftop pool area and decorated everything in his favorite color, red. They had games, magicians, story time, and everything else you could possibly imagine.

She was happy for me when I decided to take a job at the Regent Beverly Wilshire, but I lost touch with her after I left.

I didn't keep in touch with her, but I wish I had. I kept talking about writing her to tell her how much I enjoyed and missed her friendship but never got around to it. I never told her how special I thought she was.

As you may know, Marcheline Bertrand passed away this past Saturday. To most of the general population, Ms. Bertrand was simply known as Angelina Jolie's mother, but I considered her a friend and always held her close to my heart. I have a dull pain in my chest and a couple of tears in my eyes. I miss her so much.

May she rest in peace.