Sister Cyprian came into my life as a junior at Tampa Catholic High School where she was the liturgist for school masses and I was the musician. This was not only the beginning of a lifelong friendship but of a career as a pastoral musician that continues to this day to be a source of great joy and meaning. Clarice was kind, encouraging and affirming, and introduced me to some meaningful first experiences in my life - my first canoe trip and first symphony, among others. She generously shared her nephew, Johnny, and his family with me in my high school years. Though we lost touch for a while, we reconnected with periodic phone calls and she came to Tampa to attend my mom’s funeral in 2006. Clarice was a beautiful and blessed gift in the tapestry of my life and will be forever loved and cherished.

Clarice was my best friend at St. Paul's High School in Jacksonville, Fl., and we remained friends throughout the years. Even though we both moved quite a bit, we stayed in touch and we were looking forward to seeing each other again late this summer when I moved back to Florida. However, the Good Lord had other plans for Clarice, and she is now in a far better place. Memories of our friendship will stay with me forever, and she will always be remembered in my prayers. My deepest sympathy to her remaining family. RIP