Trini Warner Hartley

Trini Lyn Warner was born May 3, 1970. The fifth daughter born to Bud and Barbara Warner, she was the baby of the family.

She had green eyes, freckles, beautiful skin and a friendly disposition from the beginning. While an infant the family moved to Burnt Hills, New York where Trini lived until she graduated from High School in 1988.

Trini excelled as an athlete, playing soccer, baseball and basketball. She enjoyed being involved in many extracurricular activities, always making time for friends and having fun. She had a "can do" spirit that served her well all her life.

In 1990, she moved to Florida to be closer to her parents and worked for Treasure Coast Surgical Group, Dr. James Vopal, West Marine, Bridges Montessori and the Ginn Company. Always described as a hard worker with a positive attitude, she was selected by her co-workers to present the Kelly Jo Dowd Championship trophy at the Ginn Open in 2008.

Trini fell in love and married Brett Hartley November 26, 1994. Their son Luke was born in 1998. The pride of her life, Luke gave her the reason she needed to keep fighting when the pain and discomfort of cancer seemed more than she could bear.

In 2007, with her four sisters, Terri, Tami, Tori and Traci, she walked 60 miles in 3 days. Collectively they raised $20,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Trini will be remembered for an easy smile that brightened any room, a laugh to soften the hardest of times, her compassion for others and the grace with which she handled adversity.

This brief biography was included in the program from the memorial service.

Memorial Video

This video remembers Trini Warner Hartley, who she was, and why she meant so much to us.

Some of the roles and words used by people to describe Trini included athlete, daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, wife, mother, mom, infectious laughter, warm hearted, courageous, inspiring, loving and unforgettable.


This video was presented at Trini's memorial service March 17, 2009.

Eulogy by Bill Bliss

Good Evening everyone. Many of us don’t know each other, but what we have in common is special and a blessing. We had the joy of having Trini in our lives. My name is Bill Bliss. I pray the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart bring honor to you, God, and to the memory of my friend Trini Warner Hartley.

I had the privilege of working with Trini at the Ginn Company for the past few years. We were together when the times were good and not so good. Challenging times are often inexplicable and we often wonder why we have to go through them. Depending on the people involved, they can bring you closer together. When Trini was involved, she brought us ALL closer together. That is what I have been asked to share about.

Six years ago, I lost my oldest brother Ted to brain cancer. Barbara and Bud, I grieve for you as I have my mom. Terri, Tami, Tori, and Traci, we share that feeling of not knowing what to say to Mom and Dad. We also share what seems like an unfillable void in the loss of a sibling. I am not going to pretend I have anything to say that will make things better.

But, I will say “Thank You.” Thank you for Trini. Thank you for raising a woman who had an endless capacity to love and serve those in her life.

There is a line in the greatest book ever written that states the greatest among you is the servant of all. Trini was truly great. She is truly greater than the man addressing you right now. As her family, I want you all to know the single most rewarding aspect of all of my time at the Ginn Company -- and pretty much my entire life -- was the gift I was given in the powerfully courageous, loving woman you called daughter and sister. I will never be the same. We are all here to honor her tonight. I truly hope the love that is in this room comforts you and gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding.

In an inescapably tough real estate market, Trini was tasked with supporting a group of Type A, want-it-like-they-want-it, get-it-done-now personalities. Like most families, we drove each other crazy. Trini was the glue that kept it all together.

On top of many other things, Trini was tasked to handle their reservations, arrival, accommodations, collecting money, etc. We always had issues. The lights don’t work; the remote is on the fritz; where’s the bottle of wine; who slept in here last night; I can’t find the cheese tray, Uhh..there is a bunny floating in the pool. What do you do? You call Trini. She answered her phone every time often answering, “What’s wrong?”

Before the explanation was finished, she was already heading to her car, usually at night, to fix the problem. She never uttered a complaint. She never let you feel you were inconveniencing her. Whatever it took, she willingly did.

She was battling something that would ultimately take her away from all of us. Yet she was the brightest spot in that whole place. She was the one with the best attitude and disposition. She made us all better. Still… she challenges me. Still… she blesses me. Still… she humbles me.

Brett, Trini loved being married to you. We shared a conversation one day about not being able to imagine our lives without our spouses and how thankful we were for a peaceful marriage. How grateful we were to have what many, unfortunately, never get to share. She knew she was loved.

Brett, just the fact that your wife uttered those words make me admire you. I want to thank you for your strength of character. Thank you for making my friend feel special and valued. You made her feel loved because you had the courage to
tell her and show her. You got it right, my man. I want to acknowledge you and your wonderful title of husband.

Young Luke, you have heard me speak of what a gift your mama was to me – to us -- at Ginn. There are no truer words I could speak to you. Except, that you were her gift. You brought her a joy that she treasured. I spoke earlier about her smile and how it brightened a room. When she spoke about you, her smile was so different. It was so much brighter. There was no comparison. She cherished you and your sweet spirit. I loved hearing the pride in her voice when she spoke about you. I looked for any excuse to leave my office, so I could just go hang out with your mom in her office. You always came up. There was no prouder mama in the whole world. My words will not express my gratitude for her place in my life. Thank you for sharing your mama with me and all of us.

I want to share one story from Trini’s blog: “Trini, I was so happy to see you that day when you recognized me in your rear view mirror. You got out of your car, ran over to my car and tapped on my window and gave me a hug. It made my day. You always bring a smile to my face.” What a perfect description of Trini.

I pray that as you leave here tonight, you can take something with you that Trini gave to all she touched. That is a care for others that exceeded her care for herself even in the midst of her storm. What a gift she had. The most beautiful thing about her is that she gave that gift freely with no expectation of anything being given back.

I want to close with a quote many of you have probably heard before. St Francis of Assisi encouraged all of us to, “Go out into all the world and preach the gospel. Use words when necessary.” Being in full time ministry for about five years, I have heard a lot of pastors speak and a lot of sermons preached. I truly don’t know if I have ever heard a better sermon preached than the one Trini lived.

Eulogy by Barry Kelley

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.”