From Here to My Eternity -- Eternal Reefs

There is no better friend than a sister, and there is
no better sister than you. Danuta & I have always
been close and I miss her.
Love, Bobby
Diane was a sister, from different parents.
Love, Kathleen

In Loving Memory
Danuta Vitale
10.26.1943 - 10.11.2015

Day one
The family meets the staff
at Eternal Reefs where they
explain the process. The
family gets to decorate the
top of the reef and then mix
their loved one’s ashes with
concrete that will then be set
inside the reef.

Danuta was a beautiful
woman who enjoyed
her life and gave great
comfort and joy to her
parents Sofia and Witek.
She loved the sea as did
her father and now she
is at peace there. We
think of her often and
especially when we are
in Florida looking at
the ocean.
Andre &
Barbara

mixing the ashes

Decorating
The ashes get mixed with concrete
and then poured into a special container
that will then be placed in the center of the
reef. All family members are encouraged
to take turns pouring and mixing the ashes
in with the concrete.
the reef

I was very fortunate to have had two very strong women in
my life: my mom and Diane. Both women taught me how to
be a strong and independent woman, but in very different
ways. My mother taught me how to create a home for,
and be a loving mom to, my daughter. Diane, conversely,
demonstrated that it was ok not to follow the “normal” path
society dictates for women- get married, have kids, give up
your life to be a mother and wife. I never saw that for myself.
From a very early age, I knew that I wanted a life more like
that of Diane’s. In Diane I saw a successful, single, career
woman living her life, HER way! She lived in her favorite
city, was well- traveled, had great friends, skied all winter,
and spent summers on Long Island with her best friend (my
mom). The young girl in me could not have imagined a more
perfect life to live. While I didn’t exactly follow Diane’s path,
as I was blessed with a wonderful daughter, my life does
demonstrate the tremendous influence both Diane and my
mom had on me - and I will forever be grateful for that.
Sharon Grimes

Day
two
The family gets to see the
finished product. The team
ensures that the decoration
items adhered properly and if
not, they gave special bonding
product to ensure the designs
last after the reef gets dropped
in the sea. Special memorials,
such as military ceremonies
are also conducted on day two.

The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in
front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
G.K. Chesterton

Day
three
This is when the reefs are
brought out to see where
loved ones are sent off to
their eternal resting place.

Danuta, cousin, although I didn’t really
know you, we will always be very grateful.
Your family enabled us to adopt our two
boys from Poland in the 80’s. Our life
would certainly never have been what it is
without your generosity.
Mary Anne Gunmere

Each family receives a commemorative reef to decorate with
flowers, provided by Eternal Reefs, to use as a part of their
private ceremonial good-bye.

Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want
you in theirs. The ones who would do anything to see you smile,
and who love you no matter what.

After all the reefs with the ashes are dropped,
the boat carrying the passengers floats back
over the spot where the reefs are so that each
family can take a moment to say goodbye,
in their own way, to their loved ones and
drop the token reef and whatever else (that’s
biodegradable) over the reef. In our case,
we did a toast to Danuta and drank a shot of
Tequila – one of Danuta’s favorite shots. A shot
was even thrown into the water so that D could
have a shot with us.

The Sea
‘‘
I really don’t know why it is that all of us are
so committed to the sea, except I think it’s
because in addition to the fact that the sea
changes, and the light changes, and ships
change, it’s because we all came from the sea.
And it is an interesting biological fact that all of
us have, in our veins the exact same percentage
of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean,
and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our
sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean.
And when we go back to the sea – whether it is
to sail or to watch it – we are going back from
whence we came.
John F. Kennedy

Danuta’s
new view
for
eternity.
Golden Beach,
Miami Florida

We had plenty of fun together over the years and I miss her.
Paula Boland

She was an elegant New Yorker. I remember meeting up
with her in lower Manhattan in a full length fur coats and
some fabulous knee high boots. I loved how thoroughly she
considered and managed her finances. She took note of every
detail whether it was her taxes or her investments. And she
always read the fine print. She was always calm and practical.
Short term calamities never rattled her. And she was always
willing to take her time and do things right.
Alexis Lenssen
Danuta’s appearance on the Hunter Mountain slopes was a
sure sign of spring. Danuta embraced life and invited her
friends along to enjoy the ride. Her sunny outlook brought
joy to all who knew her.
Your Friend,
Jean

Day
to
four
eternity
A team of divers go down to
ensure that the reefs are placed
properly. From there, the ocean
and its inhabitants make it
eternally part of the ocean. The
reefs become homes for various
creatures of the sea.

We will forever
cherish the moments
we got to spend with
Danuta. For many of
us, she may not have
been related by blood,
but she was a family
member. She held a
special place in all of
our hearts.

Eternal
reefs
This is the certificate from
Eternal Reefs giving us the
coordinates of Danuta’s
final resting place so that
we can go visit her any
time we want.

You’ll always be in my heart.
www.cassierajotte.com