Darlene Wagner, “broke through the veneer”

She was preceded by her father, Lee Bruyer, who contrary to her childhood belief, did not die because he was angry with her, her mother, Charlotte Wright, creator of untold numbers of wedding cakes and who only had a “little taste,” and her brother, best friend, and co-conspirator, Dana, who, she joked, quit smoking, drinking, and gambling all in one day. (H/T Terri Lukacko)

Mark Mooney’s last byline

If you are reading this, that means that I am no longer here. The prostate cancer finished toying with me on October 6, 2017. I was 66 and glad to be done with the damn disease.

Aileen Bott, 94, a fashionista retailers will miss

She enjoyed her dates in the evening with Johnny Walker. She had her faults…her singing was painful to listen to which brought a smile to others. Shopping at big box stores for one person is not a good idea, and she had a craft room that could be considered hazardous when entering. (H/T Peter Elikann)

Jeanne Swatzburg, 73, 'had an amazing time'

Well, let me tell you! I had an amazing time while I was here on Earth. Sadly, there were other plans for me and I had to leave my physical form at Yale New Haven Hospital, at age 73, on Aug. 26, 2017.

James Gorman, 90, breakfast champion

James always made sure his kitchen was stocked with multiple boxes of Wheaties and many cartons of milk and high pulp orange juice to start his day off right.

Brian, 11, 'became dog legends are made of'

A lover of couches and blankets, Brian had many hobbies. Some of Brian’s favorite activities included barking at things not there, cuddling alongside you, taking over his mother’s bed, licking his butt, acting like a spazz when it was time to be fed, and trying to figure out who exactly was “the good boy.”

Lee Hamilton, 90, changed West Palm Beach skyline

Lee never campaigned for women's equal rights. She just took them. As early as grade school when a publisher offered a bicycle for the most magazine sales in Philadelphia, but excluded girls, Lee signed up under her brother's name and won the citywide contest. It launched a life-long love affair with work and its rewards. (H/T Marianne Lentini Bernarduci)