2017 Honoree

Honoring Stephanie Collins

Many of us lost a loving and compassionate friend. Stephanie Collins, 49. She didn’t take life for granted. She lived and she loved and we all benefited from having her in our lives. Stephanie had many gifts, her smile, her eyes, her love and her compassion. Stephanie loved. Her friends and family were the most important part of her life. How lucky we were to have her in ours.

Honoring Randy Lees

Randy Lees (as told by lifelong friend Erik deBoer)

"I've got to live again." from music written and performed by Randy Lees and Elizabeth Corrigan
Randy Lees and Erik deBoer grew up in New Orleans and were best friends forever. At age eleven, they heard the Beatles’ first performance on TV, and they began learning music together. They played guitar and Lees loved to sing. 

Vic Latham had a club in New Orleans called Pierre's. He put an advertisement in the paper for a blues guitarist. Eighteen year-old Randy Lees auditioned and got the job. He brought in Erik deBoer. They played until the club closed. Latham moved to Key West (later opened the Full Moon Saloon). Randy Lees became the lead vocalist in a nine-piece band in New Orleans called Randy and the Rhythm Aces.

In October 1971, deBoer contacted Vic Latham in Key West. Latham set him up with some work playing in Key West. The cost of living was low, and they thrived. Lees was playing with the Rhythm Aces, dividing up the revenue, barely surviving. Eric deBoer suggested Lees come to Key West. 

After Lees arrived, they hooked up with guitarist Andy Johnson. The band was built around Lees and Johnson. They played at Howie's on Duval, the Lantern Inn, and Crazy Ophelia's, (currently Antonia's). 

In 1978, Erik deBoer became a general contractor, and finally, with Richard Manley, opened the lumber yard, Manley deBoer. 

At Christmas, deBoer usually received a card containing a cassette with a song that Lees had recorded for him. In 1996, Randy Lees died at forty-five. After Lees’ death, deBoer went through a box of tapes of his music. With the help of Lees’ son Christian, he produced a CD of Randy's music—the perfect tribute to his best friend.

Eric deBoer recalls a gig with Randy Lees and Andy Johnson performing. The bar was empty. No one showed up. They decided to record Joni Mitchell's song River on a cassette recorder in the quiet empty bar room. It was beautiful, and deBoer, with Mitchell's permission, put it on the tribute CD.

Honoring Jason Britton

Jason Paul Britton was born in Bethesda, Maryland on 9/17/81 to Susan Quetel Britton and James Roy Britton. He lived in many more places than most of us and brought joy to them all. He probably loved St. Thomas, BVI most of all since his Mom lived there. Along the way Jason also discovered his love of cooking. He found his way to Key West in 2013 and continued his skill at cooking as well as his ability to find friends through his humor and his "all friends allowed" attitude. He became sous chef at Firefly Restaurant here in Key West as a result of his love of cooking. Everyone he met here in Key West realized how special, funny, and unique this man was. He had a beast mode and earned the nickname "Diesel", although that name probably followed him for quite a while. It barely covered the sweetness of his soul and you saw this when you spent more than 10 seconds in his company. He would speak quickly and you better be able to keep up because what he said was hilarious and spot on with the day to day nonsense we all deal with. He knew the big picture and made you laugh and realize you better enjoy the moment. He would dismiss that nonsense with phrases like "words and verbs", "stuff and things", but he would always finish with "Love Love". He will always be loved here in Key West and anywhere else he chose to spread his joy. He will never be forgotten. 

Love Love to Susan Q. Britton

Honoring Marsa "The Bug Lady"

Marsa Lynn Matheny, “The Bug Lady,” 57, of Big Pine Key passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 1, 2017.

Marsa was born in San Antonio, Texas on Aug. 15, 1959. She is survived by her father, Sam Matheny, mother, Sandra Austin, brother, Greg Matheny and her three beloved black cats. Marsa was married for a short time to Vincent Geraldo in 1992. Marsa was a veteran having served in the U.S. Navy.

She will be greatly missed by all. Marsa truly loved the Florida Keys and they loved her back as she ventured out “killing bugs” for her friends and neighbors while operating her exterminator business.

Honoring Judy Wood

It was in the early eighties when Judy traded the cold of Minnesota for the warmth of the Keys. She fell in the love with Keys and remained in Bay Point until her passing. Though she tried other endeavors, her favorite job was as bartender at the Sugarloaf Lodge from the late 80's until 2008. That job provided an endless supply of entertainment from her patrons that included many wonderful characters - the kind often written about from a different era. She loved being a part of that era - she loved visiting at Mallory Square when there were just a few locals and musicians hanging out, she loved going to the Monster, the Sands and P.T.’s Late Night - she loved to boat and fish - she loved the friends she made.

In the later years, Judy worked as a supervisor and bartender at Tavern and Town. In the seven years she worked there, she gained the respect and love of her employer, co-workers and patrons who quickly became her friends.

Judy was a kind and good friend who leaves behind her two great loves - her son Michael and her dog Bunny. We miss you Judy Wood. Until we meet again...

Honoring Jillian Anderson

Jillian Natalie Anderson, 30, of Summerland Key, Florida passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Kendall Regional Hospital in Miami, Florida.

Jillian was born Feb. 10, 1986 in Spring Lake, New Jersey. She graduated from Sugarloaf Elementary School and Savannah Country Day School, Savannah, Georgia. Jillian earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Miami in 2008. She was currently enrolled in nursing school at Florida Keys Community College.

Jillian loved the outdoors, especially the beach. She enjoyed watersports and was scuba certified. She was a hard worker, never liking to be idle.

Jillian was the beloved daughter of Linda Farrell Anderson of Bradley Beach, New Jersey, and Mark Roy Anderson of Key West; beloved sister to Graham Anderson, niece to Kevin and Debbie Farrell; aunt to Archer Anderson; and maternal granddaughter to William and Elza Farrell.

Honoring Carol "Cupcake" Minnich

Carol Ann Rhoades Minnich was born May 11th, 1945 in Danville, NY and spent her early life in Piqua, Ohio where she met the love of her life and husband of 47 years, Doug Minnich. Known as "Cupcake" to her many friends in Key West for her love of life, her joyous outgoing personality and frankly her head-turning beauty, she was the mother of two fine children, Derek and Courtney and the grandmother of one grand daughter, Nora. The middle of five sisters, she was a graduate of Piqua Central High School, obtained a B.S. degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy and a Master's Degree both from The Ohio State University. She spent many years of her career in management in the State of Ohio's Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Throughout her nearly 20 years in Key West Carol was an avid and enthusiastic supporter of music in Key West. She was greatly loved and is sorely missed by her family, her many friends and by all that knew her in Key West.

Honoring Steve Schwartz

Steven D. Schwartz, 64, passed away on March 24, 2016 after a private and courageous battle with cancer. 

Steve was born on November 6, 1951, the day of unending vigor, to Dale and Thelma Schwartz in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Steve moved to Key West in 1999 and subsequently, opened Seaport Realtors. For the past 17 years, Steve's passion for the island was visible in his ability to make the dream of Key West, a reality for others. Steve found his spiritual home at Unity of the Keys where he served on the Board of Trustees, as an usher, and spearheaded the landscaping team. Steve was known around the island for his warm personality and his big smile. A man of many nicknames, Stevie Baby, Big Steve, Big Tiger or even Pineapple. Whatever you may have known him as, his personality was unforgettable.