Jerry and I are so overwhelmingly shocked and saddened with the loss of precious Ilene. She, Steve and her darling fur babies became our good friends at Aventura condos in Addison, Tx., and remained in great contact after their move to North Carolina. Ilene was one smart lady with such great charm and love and one amazing doggy mama. We were so grateful to have her as our friend and she is so very missed. Carol Ann Brantley

My thoughts and prayers are you and your family. I will miss Ilene's upbeat personality. My favorite memory is when she would bring her fur babies to the office so that we all could visit and of course laugh and smile!

Although I knew Ilene for a brief time when she worked at Merrill Lynch, she was a bright presence who took the time to get to know her colleagues. When we returned to the Raleigh office, Ilene invited her Merrill Lynch colleagues on the 17th floor for a meet and greet lunch so we could "get to know each other". Ilene did this on her own, and I was touched by her desire to connect us all. In a world of increasing human division, Ilene knew that British novelist E.M Forster's admonition to "Only Connect" was the only path that make us whole again. It saddens me to know Ilene has left us to mend together without her as a catalyst, but her spirit of connection will live with me for years to come and surely with the many others who knew, worked with, and loved her.

Steve, I know you are bereft, as are her family and many friends. I am so grateful we knew Ilene and got our precious pups from her friend Lyn, 7 yrs. ago. And you took us to San Antonio and back in one day to pick them up! Ilene was so much fun and we have missed her since the move to NC. Take heart in your memories and her beloved dogs. Prayers and best wishes for you. Mary Carpenter

Steve and Family, I am so saddened by the news of Ilene's untimely passing. We were colleagues at Edward Jones, where upon my arrival to the department she was the first to make me feel welcome. Her humor and insight always made our department meetings and conference calls lighter, and her skillful candor made them worthwhile. She was a leader among us trainers. She became a dear friend to me, helping me through a tough patch in my life and reminding me that all things, good and bad, happen for a reason, and that accepting this great truth and moving on, as tough as it may be, was the only solution. I can barely imagine your grief, and wish you a peaceful heart as you find comfort in your canine friends, and in the memories that you and Ilene created. Tim Dalton