Nikki Memorial - You are invited!

[SpearMax]

I have been asked by Nikki's Parents to post this invitation and the following letter for Nikki's memorial event for the dive community which will be in Jupiter, Florida on Sunday, December 23, 2007 starting at 5:30 PM. We all miss our good friend Nikki and want to honor and celebrate her amazing life. May Nikki rest in eternal peace.

[SpearMax]

LIVE EVERY MOMENT – EVERY DAY, DON’T WASTE A BIT,
BE HAPPY, LOVE YOUR FRIENDS, HELP THE KIDS

Nicole (Brater) Cuomo

This was Nikki’s daily practice.

Dear Friends and family –

Over two months have passed since we lost Nikki. She was scuba diving 4 miles offshore from Jupiter, FL on September 22, 2007, and had called us the day before her dive to let us know of her plans. When it was time for her to surface from her second dive of the day, she was not seen on the surface. Many boaters, private pilots/observers, U.S. Coast Guard & Sheriff's Dept. boats, helicopters, and planes, USAF planes, many well-trained, dedicated, and experienced divers, including volunteers from the Town of Palm Beach, Fl-Police & Fire/Rescue Dive Team, and people with special sonar equipment, searched for many days to find her – all to no avail.

Some terrible accident must have happened – we know not what it was. Theories abound, but no one knows for sure. We, and dive experts as well, believe that it may have been an equipment malfunction or an “oxygen hit” to her brain; however, she had seen sharks in the water earlier in the day, and she was somewhat separated from her dive buddy. She was diving with her “shark shield", and would have turned it on if she saw a shark -or- had speared a fish. To a highly trained, experienced diver such as Nikki, this dive should not have been anything unusual. She intended to catch a few lobsters, and perhaps spear some fish. Nikki is still missing, and we think she never made it to the surface after that dive. We May never know what happened under the water.

Now that we know she must be deceased, it is time for her friends and family to Celebrate Nikki’s Life. She was a wonderful, beautiful, and caring woman with many talents, and she shared her love of living with many. She was a joy to be around. Nikki was constantly coming up with many novel ideas to improve the learning of her young clients. Her abilities to connect with autistic and behaviorally disordered children made her a very special behavior analyst, counselor, and therapist. She was a wonderful friend and daughter.

Her celebration will be held at two locations:

1. On December 19 (5:30 pm– 7:30 pm), for her Brevard County friends & family: Please join us at the School Board of Brevard County meeting room, located at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL, and/or for the wake afterward at our home.

2. On December 23 (5:30 pm – 8:00 pm), join us with her dive-community friends and family at the Jupiter Civic Center (which is about 4 miles from the spot where she was last seen) in Jupiter, FL. Catered Barbecue, desserts, and soft drinks will be provided on site.

We intend to put a notice in the Florida Today newspaper about these events, so that others who may not have gotten word will have an opportunity to participate. We hope that many will share a favorite memory or story about Nikki. We plan to project some of our favorite “Nikki” photos and videos onto a screen, and we hope to display your favorite photo prints on a board as well.

Please see the reverse side for directions to each memorial site. We want to thank everyone who sent up prayers, sent cards, flowers, thoughtful messages, and remembrances. We treasure each and every one. We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks.

Best Wishes, Family of Nicole Cuomo (Bob, Pat, and Jon Brater)

[SpearMax]

The Jupiter event is the prinicipal event for the dive community, but you are welcome to attend either or both events. Here are some photos of the Jupiter location on the ocean taken a week ago.

[SpearMax]

Nikki's parents also asked me to post up the travel directions to both locations from their home. Please use Mapquest.com for directions from your specific home. Please RSVP if you will attend either event to the e-mail SpearboardRSVP@gmail.com. A catering count is needed for the BBQ, desserts and soft drinks at the Jupiter event. Also, alcoholic beverages are permitted at the Jupiter event location if you wish to bring any. Thank you.


DIRECTIONS TO BREVARD SCHOOL BOARD OFFICES
2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL

December 19, 2007 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)

1. From Fiske Blvd./Stadium Drive in Rockledge, go south on I-95 to Exit 191.

2. Turn West (right) on Wickham Rd. and go approx. ½ mile, then turn north (right) on Lake Andrew Drive.

3. Proceed about ¼ mile and turn West (left) on Judge Fran Jamieson Way.

The School Board Building is a one-story building on the right.

Total Estimated Time: 20 minutes, Distance: 6 miles


DIRECTIONS TO JUPITER CIVIC CENTER
351 Old A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477

December 23, 2007 (5:30 – 8:00 p.m.)

1. From Fiske Blvd/Stadium Drive in Rockledge,
Merge onto I-95 S via the ramp on the LEFT). 109.3 miles

2. Merge onto FL-706 E via EXIT 87A toward JUPITER. 5.1 miles

3. Turn RIGHT onto FL-A1A / OCEAN BLVD. <0.1 miles

4. Turn LEFT onto OLD A1A. 0.2 miles

5. End at 351 Old A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477

Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 46 minutes Total Est. Distance: 115.45 miles

[SpearMax]

In closing, here is a link to Nikki's powerful and moving myspace page which is a true reflection of her enthusiasm for everything she did. Nikki would want the dive community, her family and friends to come together in a positive way to celebrate her life. May God bless her wonderful soul!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndID=193854723

[Johnoly]

We'll be there to honor Nikki! She was a great friend and this will be a good way to get Spearo's and other together.

Might even get in a dive that morning before the memorial and shoot something in her honor!

[IRONHEAD]

count me in too, I hope we can have a large showing in honor of our lost member and friend. maybe we should have an rsvp thread stuck on top. it is very close to christmas but i will be there and if anyone wants to carpool I am game. daytona palm coast area here if anyone wants to pool up.

[Swimsuit]

i'm so sorry that i will miss it. i'll be home in Indiana for Christmas

[keezdiver]

i'm supposed to be in melbourne on the 20th...maybe i'll head up early.

[padiwagon]

I will most certainly be there, no way I would miss it!

[scubadown16]

Won't be able to make it in person but you can bet your ass I'll be there in thought. My deepest sympathy goes out to her friends and family. May every one's life be just a bit brighter made possible by those looking down from above. Nikki you'll always be with us.

[SpearMax]

The memorial event is getting a positive response. Please RSVP if you are coming. Thanks!

[polespear]

Naturally, I will be there. Sun 23rd.

[Gradyman]

I've been asked by Bob & Pat to post the service intinerary so that everyone would know what to expect when they attend.

1. Opening Intro

2. Eulogy

3. Video Montage

4. Designated Testimonies & Speakers

5. Open Testimonies

6. Closing

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers a contribution in Nikkis honor be made. All the contibutions are going towards diver safety & recovery efforts.

For more information please click on this link:
http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=55361

[never2deep]

I am there!!!!