In memory of Cee – words and photos by Cee and Chris

Cee quietly left this world on the 3rd of March, a Monday evening. I was privileged to be her soulmate and wife for more than thirty-five years. She taught me so much, including her love of photography, of color and form. She continues to brighten my day even after leaving her body behind.


When Becky was kind enough to post about Cee’s declining health and eventual going into hospice, Cee and I were overwhelmed with the love showered upon her by all of you. I sat beside her hospital bed, reading one, two, sometimes three responses, watching the tears roll down her cheeks. She knew each one of you and could tell me who you were, where you lived, what she enjoyed about your blogs. We could only handle a few at a time because your writings were so sincere. You were her beloved friends when she couldn’t leave the house anymore. You let her live and reach out, touching your lives as hers was being slowly and inexorably drawing smaller and smaller.

The one fear Cee had about her life was that no one would remember her, that she hadn’t made enough difference in this world, in anyone’s life. Yes, she really thought that. She was humble to the end. Your wishes and memories of her were incredible and gave her satisfaction and peace of mind, knowing that she really had touched lives. You gave her the gift of peace. Thank you.

It’s too soon for me to make any decisions about continuing her blog, or about Flower Of The Day (FOTD). Please bear with me in my grief.

Much love, thankfulness and many virtual hugs to all of you.

Chris

Final photo is of Chris, Cee and Chris’s brother Joe a month before Cee died.

Stay who you are. Stay true to yourself. Other people might change around you because you’re dying, but you don’t have to change.

Let the emotions come. They’ll come in waves, but let them come. Try not to be scared, although you will be. That allows for the good memories to come back, too, and that allows you to share with the ones you love and really be there.

Don’t ever be afraid to say I love you. Even if it’s a stranger in the street and your eyes meet, say something. Give them a smile. Let them know you acknowledge them.

Never regret what you’ve done in life. They lead to all things that created who you are.

Cee Neuner 1960-2025, she recorded these words in November 2024

Footnote by Becky – I am honoured to post the above on behalf of Chris, and feel so fortunate to have met Cee and Chris in person last year. A memory I will cherish forever. I also cherish my memories of when I was first inspired by Cee to take part in one of her challenges. It was a flower back in the 2015; and I will never forget the joy a few months later when she first featured one of my Odd Ball contributions on her blog. It felt like I had won gold at the olympics. She was an amazing woman, and I am so lucky we became friends.

140 thoughts

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    2. Thanks for your kind words. They meant at a lot at the time, and still do. I’m actually sitting in Cee’s chair as I write this, as I’m visiting Chris.

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  3. Love to Chris and Cee, who was one of my very first blogging friends and whose FOTD I posted on every day for 13 years with very few exceptions. I’ve done my tribute to Cee on her last FOTD post, but it hasn’t pingbacked, so here it is again, Always appropriate to say it with flowers, but especially to Cee.

    https://judydykstrabrown.com/2025/03/31/for-cee-who-brought-a-million-flowers-into-our-lives-xooxox/

    R.I.P.Dear Cee and love to Chris who took such good care of her…. Judy

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    1. Thank you, Judy. Your name and face is very familiar because Cee spoke of you often over the years and kept me informed on your happenings. She valued you, too.

      Chris

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    2. Thanks for your kind words. They meant at a lot at the time, and still do. I’m actually visiting Chris and sitting in Cee’s chair as I write this, her spirit lives on.

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  7. A truly lovely tribute to Cee and a well deserved one, I’m sure. My thoughts go out to you Chris, and brother Joe, and all he friends that mourn the passing of a lovely person who brought colour and challenges into our online lives. May she rest in peace. I hope when the feelings of loss have subsided somewhat you will come back to Cee’s blogging page.

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    1. thank you. She was at peace when she died. I can tell you that for sure. She had no fear or worries at the end. I’m still going back and forth about carrying her blog on. I’m a writer, not a photographer, so I might do a combination of the two. We’ll see. She set a high bar for blogging, though.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Chris, your wife was amazing and you are special too. Take your time to decide on what to do next; there is no rush. Cee’s community will be here forever, and whatever you decide to do will be right. Loads of love

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    2. Thanks for your kind words. They meant at a lot at the time, and still do. I’m actually visiting Chris and sitting in Cee’s chair as I write this, her spirit lives on

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  8. My heart is heavy… Cee had taught me and many, many blogger not only how to photograph but also how to appreciate the beauty of nature through her daily posts, all have touched my heart. Once I thanked her for her effort, Cee said to me, “You are a good student.” her words meant so much to me, and will stay with me forever long. Cee is and will always be a shining star of our blogsphere. My thoughts are with Chris and Cee’s family. Thank you, Becky, for the post.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. They meant at a lot at the time, and still do. I’m actually visiting Chris as I write this, Cee’s spirit lives on

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. My deep condolences to the Chris and all the loved ones of Cee 🙏. Thank you for sharing the message, Chris. I know even if one is prepared for something like this, it doesn’t make it easy to deal with the loss. But time will help. I love the beautiful words of Cee, and know that she will be remembered by so many people. She needn’t have worried about that..I believe her soul would be on the next adventure by now 🙏..

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. They meant at a lot at the time, and still do. I’m actually sitting in Cee’s chair as I write this, her spirit lives on

      Liked by 1 person

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  17. Oh no…that’s the immediate thought when I began to read this post. But as I continued to read I began to smile, as I always did while reading Cee’s posts and looking at her images. Cee just made people smile, and memories of her and her work always will.

    Condolences to Chris and all of Cee’s family and friends.

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  18. While expected, this is still such sad news. I feel for Chris in her grief but am also moved by her positivity, a trait she clearly shares with Cee. This is a moving post but also a lovely one, a beautiful tribute to Cee. I’ll remember her with gratitude as it was through her posts, when I was new to blogging, that I discovered the world of challenges and ‘met’ many of my blogging friends. She definitely enhanced my blogging experience with her links and pointers to other challenges, in addition to the several she hosted herself. The blogging community will miss her but will always remember her and the difference she made to many lives.

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