Good evening, my name is Barry Kelley. I have thought long and hard about what I would say tonight about Trini, but the only logical place to start is from the beginning.
About 10 years ago, I needed to hire a new assistant to help me in the regional office for West Marine. I had placed an ad and received literally hundreds of applications and resumes. After 15 or more interviews, I was unable to find just the “right” person. I went back into the stack and found a resume I had missed with a unique first name: Trini Hartley. Little did I know at the time that something very special was about to happen.
After a phone call setting up a time for an interview, we met the next day. I have interviewed and hired more than 1000 employees over the years, so I am an experienced interviewer with a strategy for hiring. The next day started as normal until Trini arrived.
We spoke for a few minutes and started the interview. Little did she know I had already made up my mind in the first five minutes, but I felt obliged to go through the process, for effect if nothing else. I was ready to hire her on the spot, which I never do. That would be against the rules. Something inside said that would be a mistake and somebody else might hire her. To say she made a great first impression would be an understatement. I called her just a few hours after she had left my office and offered her the job. Luckily, for West Marine, my family, and me she said “Yes.”
She quickly became a valuable member of the team and everyone liked her instantly. That was the beginning of our 10-year friendship.
While we worked together, I met Brett, and like Trini, I liked him instantly. Luke was just a little guy at the time, but, boy, could you see both Trini and Brett in him.
I will never forget the day she walked into my office a few years later and I could tell something was wrong. With a sad heart, and a few tears she told me she was thinking about giving her two week notice, but was not sure if it was the right thing to do. She asked for my advice. She gave me the details of a great opportunity at Bridges Montessori School where she would be able to spend more time with her son Luke. That meeting in my office was a tough one. After a long and emotional chat, we both decided that the time with her son outweighed her emotions on leaving a job she truly enjoyed and was great at. Trini’s dedication to her son Luke and loving husband Brett have always been her top priority.
As Trini moved on to a new career, a stronger relationship had grown between the Hartley’s and the Kelley’s. The two families had become quite fond of each other.
Over the next eight years, rarely a weekend has gone by where we did not get together for a family barbeque, a dinner out, or a trip to the sandbar on the boat. One thing is for sure, we found every restaurant from Port St. Lucie to Palm City. By now, the two families had almost become one.
One thing you may not know about Trini is that she can perform miracles. I know this because I saw it with my own eyes. On one of our many family trips to the Keys, we were out on the boat at Molasses Reef, which is about 6 miles off the coast of Key Largo. The day was perfect.
My daughter Kristine and Trini were snorkeling near the boat and had their eye on a small reef shark well below them. We were in about 15 feet of water. Trust me, there was no threat, but they were both quite nervous. Much closer to the boat were multiple small reef fish giving the two families a great snorkeling experience. Brett and I were on the boat at the time and came up with a great idea. That should be your first clue we were up to no good.
We decided that Trini and Kristine needed the small reef fish a bit closer to them so they could experience the Keys snorkeling. We both took a hand full of chips, crushed them up in our hands and threw them towards the two girls. Within 2 seconds, over 100 small, harmless reef fish surrounded both Kristine and Trini. One even jumped on Trini’s back to get to the chips. Okay, here comes the miracle. Just then, Trini rose up from the water, and with two quick bounds was back on board in a matter of seconds. Yes, my friends, Trini Hartley can walk on water.
Once back on board, both Brett and I were laughing like two school kids. Trini, on the other hand, gave us both one of her famous tongue-lashings, which we both deserved. Kristine had a few choice words to say as well,but within a few minutes we were all laughing and amazed that we had witnessed a miracle. Trust me, Trini is looking down from heaven right now with a smile on her face and maybe a few looks at Brett. We have talked about that day many times, as
well as many other memorable trips.
I am not surprised at all at how many people loved being around Trini and wanted to come celebrate her life, albeit, far too short. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and valued employee. No matter what your relationship, you were blessed with her being part of your life. Whether it was her infectious laugh, quick wit, her smile or presence that could light up a room, the love we all had for Trini will be imbedded in our hearts and minds.
As tough as this day is, I do have one consolation. She touched all our lives and we are all better for it. I know we will all remember her in our own special way and how she touched our lives. For me though, I will always remember Trini, who I loved dearly, as my friend who “walked on water.”
