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Grieving the Loss of our Friend and Colleague
By: Melissa Lackey | 05/09/2011
As many have heard, Standing Partnership lost a long-term friend and colleague when Amber Morris passed away unexpectedly this weekend due to complications from a recent injury. Frankly, our team is still reeling in disbelief and shock that this beloved team member is no longer with us.
Amber leaves a hole in our hearts that will take time to heal; she was such a very special person.
Amber brought so much to Standing, her colleagues and her clients. She will be missed terribly. Personally, I admired her compassion, her warmth, her humor, her creativity--the list is endless. She had flair and a deep integrity. She was a leader and a friend. Her impact will be forever woven into the fabric of our organization whether it's her legacy of creative inspirations for Standing festivities, her coaching/mentoring (officially and unofficially) of our team, or her strategic guidance on projects. She touched our lives in countless ways; her loss will be felt and leave ripples...
Several of you know, Sharon Morris, Amber's mother, is also a member of our Standing family. Sharon shares many of Amber's attribute--and in ways has been a "mother" to all of us. Please keep her in your thoughts/prayers during this difficult time as well.
To those of you who've already reached out, thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness and support as we grieve the loss of this amazing lady. Please join us in reflecting on and celebrating her life.
With a heavy heart, Melissa
Posted in Culture
comments
cathy dunkin says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:11:am
Melissa, you said it so well for all of us here at Standing. I’m grateful to have worked with Amber and called her a friend for a decade. She was joyful, creative and selfless, a very special person who will be truly missed.
Farrell says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:23:am
While I never met Amber personally when MS Govern was working with you guys, I am deeply sorry to hear this news and my heart goes out to Amber’s mother, as well as the rest of the Standing family.
Justin L says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:23:am
I’ve had a hard time dealing with this news over the weekend, and send my thoughts to everybody at Standing. You’re like my extended family, and I hurt along with each of you.
Susan says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:26:am
Amber gave me the time of day when others did not. She wasn’t just good at her job, she was great at bringing people together and making them comfortable (the sign of a great communicator). I am in utter shock that someone can be around and so vibrant one day and just gone the next; it must be ten-fold for you at the office. Please take comfort in each other; I hope the family-like atmosphere of the Standing office can allow your team to grieve as those of us far away from home are also trying to do. Amber is already missed and won’t be forgotten.
Betsy Cohen says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:38:am
I am stunned and saddened. Amber was a wonderful contributor to work with me at Purina and the St. Louis Petlover Coalition. Her communication insights ,ied into her passion for pets, made her work come alive. She was joyful and so special to work with-I send my sadness to all who knew and cared about Amber and especially her Standing Partnership familiy.
Kurt Greenbaum says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:39:am
My condolences to you all at Standing. Amber, her family, and all of you are in my prayers.
Christi says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 12:03:pm
I’m finding myself oddly comforted (and admittedly distracted) to see the reflections of those who Amber touched, both here at the office and in other phases of her life. Praying for peace and comfort for Sharon and Herb…
Caitlin says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 12:13:pm
This is devastating news. I encountered Amber infrequently, but wondered if we might be friends in another context. I’m deeply saddened not to have the chance to find out. Professionally, her skills and manner gave me great confidence that SP must be an effective, principled, and humane agency. You are all in my thoughts.
Kathleen Souder says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 12:34:pm
My thoughts and prayers are with Amber’s family, especially Sharon. It’s been years since I’ve worked with Amber, but remember her smile, her great attitude, and her beautiful heart.
Holly O'Brien says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 12:53:pm
How very untimely and shocking. None of us had enough time with her. She was smart, witty, fun and very professional. I was very lucky to have worked with her on our account. That she will be missed is an understatement. This just doesn’t feel real.
Robin Bryan says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 1:11:pm
Oh my heart is broken. I’ve known the Morris family for many years and love them all very much. Young Amber leaves a giant hole in the universe and each of our hearts, both individually and collectively. She was one of those bright lights in every room she entered. I’m such a good friend in the broadest sense, but so very bad at these things. Irregardless, I know that Sharon and Herb know that they are in my heart and prayers. I’ve thought of little else today. Both Sharon and Amber are lucky to be a part of such a wonderful work family. She will need you all.
Julie Wright says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 1:24:pm
I had the great pleasure of knowing Amber and learning from her. Not only was she a striking woman, her wit and insight were revered among the team.
As I struggle to find the right words to share, my heavy heart goes out to everyone at Standing especially to my friend, Sharon. My prayers are with you all at this time and always.
Amber left her distinct mark on so many lives and I feel privileged to be one of those.
Linda Maniscalco says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 1:48:pm
Like everyone else, I was shocked to learn the news about Amber. Amber was so vibrant and loved by all who were honored to have her as a friend. I don’t ever remember her saying the word “no” when anything was asked of her. Amber’s vibrancy, laughter and smile will be missed by all. Standing lost more than a co-worker, they lost a family member.
My heart breaks when I think of Sharon and Herb. If there is any comfort, it’s knowing that they have a strong support network of friends and family to draw strength from. I’m honored to be able to say I’m one of those friends.
Lore McManus Solo says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 2:15:pm
To our dear Worldcom Partners,
We at Strategic America extend our sympathy to all of you at Standing Partnership. We are sorry for your professional and personal loss with the passing of Amber.
Sincerely, Lore and Colleagues
Melissa says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 4:45:pm
Thank you for the outpouring of support, kindness—and all the wonderful stories. Even now, Amber continues to inspire. Your words have helped ease our heavy hearts.
Virginia M. Sheridan says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 5:56:pm
Dear Cathy, Melissa and all of our friends at Standing Partnership - we were shocked and very saddened by the sad news about Melissa. We very much enjoyed working with her as one of a number of Worldcom partners that participated in the Maritz account. She did a great job managing all of us and did it with terrific humor. I know that this is a big loss to you and to her family.
Our condolances.
Kelly Ferrara says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 6:06:pm
My thoughts have been with all of my Standing friends since I heard the news. May your memories be strong and positive and create a shared strength for each of you during such a challenging time. You have my sincerest condolences.
Jay Baer says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 7:48:pm
An inspiration, and an absolute joy to be around whenever I had the good fortune to be in her presence, Amber will be forever missed.
Thinking about Sharon, and all my friends at Standing in this very difficult, confusing, and heartbreaking time.
Nelda Davis says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 8:52:pm
Cathy, Melissa, Julie, Maya and the entire Standing Partnership team,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved colleague Amber. While I did not have the opportunity to work with and know Amber, I am sure she was of the same high caliber as your entire team, bringing her unique gifts, talents, and personality. May you all find peace and become a network of support for one another as you grieve her passing and celebrate who she was and what she gave - to your organization, to each of you individually, to her clients and the world. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melissa Travis says:
Tue, May 10, 2011 at 7:36:am
A dear friend reached out to me today and shared with me the devastating news of Amber. I used to work at Standing Partnership a few years ago. All I can say is, I am in complete shock and tears immediately rolled down my face. I instantly thought of Amber as always being a TRUE JOY to be around and someone who could brighten anyon…e’s days. She had the best personality and a smile that was contagious. I will always remember making cards with Amber and her open houses she had. She was quite the hostess. Amber, I will MISS YOU SO MUCH and I’m blessed that you influenced my life. I also remember her precious, mother. Sharon, I pray God will be with you and comfort you all during this difficult time. Love you all
Imma Folch says:
Tue, May 10, 2011 at 10:45:am
To our dear Worldcom partners,
Our thoughts are with you in these difficult times - we are very sorry about your loss. My prayers are with you.
Imma and LF Channel, Barcelona.
Amy Burger says:
Tue, May 10, 2011 at 1:42:pm
To Everyone at Standing: I am so very sorry for the great loss your agency family has experienced. I had the joy of working with Amber when I was on the corporate communications team at Maritz and she always brought a bit of sunshine into our day when she was in the office. She was a bright star in our field and in her life and I know she’ll be missed by all who worked with her and called her a friend. You are lucky to have such a close agency environment and I hope you all find strength in each other to get through this difficult time. My thoughts are with you.
Daffney says:
Tue, May 10, 2011 at 3:40:pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Standing Partnership and Amber’s family. Amber was my Coro sister and I will miss her. She had an amazing spirit and a caring heart. She taught me a lot during our time in Coro and I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know Amber.
Meredith Maglinger says:
Wed, May 11, 2011 at 12:27:pm
Amber (and the Standing team) was like an extension of our TOKY team, so I was deeply saddened and shocked to hear of her passing. We were joking around last week so it’s very hard to believe that she is gone and won’t walk through our doors again. To everyone on the Standing Team, my thoughts are with you. To Amber’s family and Shane, my heart aches for you. Amber will be greatly missed.
randy grim says:
Thu, May 12, 2011 at 7:35:am
amber always had a vibe about her that made you smile. she was so compassionate to the animals and her foster dogs. i like to think she is in heaven and a guardian angel to the strays. to her family, please know everyone at stray rescue loved her and we all are sorry for your tragic loss.
Diane Fleetwood says:
Thu, May 12, 2011 at 12:11:pm
Amber and Sharon are very dear friends of me and my family. She will be missed and it leaves a huge hole in our hearts. She is now watching over all of us as she did in life. Amber had such a great outlook and life, family and work that we should all take minute to add some of that in our lives.
Melissa Travis says:
Fri, May 13, 2011 at 4:20:pm
The entire Standing Partnership Family has been on my mind every second of the day this week as we are all grieving a TREMENDOUS life in this world, Amber Morris. We miss you so much and love you. I hope you all hold tight to each other as you always have. I am thinking of you all and Amber’s precious parents especialy TODAY and TOMORROW for the wake. I can only imagine how many people came as she touched many peoples’ lives in a special way.
Beth K says:
Mon, May 16, 2011 at 2:41:pm
My heart aches for each of you, and for Amber’s family. She was such a bright, kind light and too young to pull from this world. I am humbly reminded that life is very short. I know Standing is such a tight knit family, and you all and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marijean says:
Mon, May 09, 2011 at 11:10:am
Melissa, thank you for writing what has to have been one of the hardest posts to write. I hope that you will never have to share this kind of team news again. Standing is such a tight-knit family that I know you’re all going to suffer Amber’s loss personally and individually for a long time. My heart hurts for the whole team and especially for Sharon and Herb.