Bobbi Stevens

September 28, 2008
I am deeply saddened by Bobbi's death. We were roommates starting Uof M as freshmen and caught up in being two independent women on our own for the first time in our lives. Nothing was off limits to talk about and though different in temperment we learned to respect and care for each other. Even though we went off in different directions whenever we got together it was like we had never been apart. I will miss her.
Adelieu Young (Traverse City, MI)

September 29, 2008
Bobbi was my friend for 50 years, through good times and bad, and I will miss her. We worked together at the Potters' Guild, shared meals at each other's homes, went on ski holidays, and to Stratford for the Festivals. Her unbounding energy and enthusiasm were infectious--always ready for an adventure and fun. She was devoted to her family and loyal to her friends. We'll all miss her, but she'd want us to be positive and carry on.
My deepest sympathy to Brad, their children and family.
Helga Haller (Valdez, NM)

September 15, 2008
I am so shocked to hear of Bobbi's death. I was a member of the Potters Guild and left Ann Arbor in 1989. Bobbi was one of my first teachers and we shared many good times at her house. She will be missed. My sincere condolences to Brad and family.
Gail Jones (Sanibel, FL)

Curt and I were so sorry to read about Bobbi Stevens' death but were unable to attend the memorial October 10. Bobbi was my first teacher in ceramics and although I wasn't very good, my son, Curt Eric, was hooked and loved her style and teaching. He was thirteen and later majored in art at at Eastern. We will miss her terribly as a friend and inspiration. I had hoped to see Rebecca who might remember me as her world history and world lit teacher at Tappan in 1970 so long ago. We are thinking of you all.
Curt and Polly Schneider

“Those flowers are wrong.”

In my 55 years on this planet, I’ve known one person who could utter that sentence with unimpeachable authority. She was my aunt.

When I was young, I might have found such a statement too absurd and abrupt. How can flowers be “wrong”? Isn’t this about the eye of the beholder? And surely it can’t be so black and white. There must be room for nuance. Maybe the flowers are just suboptimal.

With time – and some help from my elders – I have come to understand that there is a very real visual grammar and syntax which makes some things correct and others not. I don’t understand that grammar very well but I’ve known someone who exercised an extraordinary command over it. I want only to admire the poetry.

I have also learned that life is short. Some of us are here to seize the day and, for us, there simply is no time for mediocrity. So, if the flowers are wrong, call them out. Someone will do the right thing and the world will become a more beautiful place.

Carpe Diem.

-Chris TerMaat

I have enjoyed Bobbi's smile and pottery over the years. She will be missed in Ann Arbor.

Our association began in 1977 when I chaired the fu nd drive to acquire the first permanent home for the Ann Arbor Art Association, now the Art Center and came to admire Bobbi's energy and talent. Trough the ensuing 31 years our association focused mainly on support of the arts in Ann Arbor with enjoyment of sporadic social occasions involving our husbands Brad and Don. Now that post polio has severely limited my mobility, I have had to adjust a few things in my life. It was with a bittersweet feeling that Don and I enjoyed the Opening Night Performance Network's production of Heather Raffo's 9 Parts of Desire from our new permanent seats, ones in the first row that formerly belonged to Bobbi and Brad. May your strength and courage continue to support the community Bobbi. We shall miss you.

It was my privilege to have known Bobbi as a fellow ceramic sculptor. Bobbi's strong vision in clay was equal to the strength of her vision in setting up displays in Clay Gallery. Bobbi's spirit was invinsible. I never heard her lament that she felt sorry for herself though the signs of the cancer's return were clear. I admired her greatly and mourn her untimely loss. She is indeed a model for all of us ...as a ceramic artist, as an art gallery display person, as a human being of great courage who knew when to fight and when to let the inevitable take the lead. Hopefully her poor body is at last in a state of peace. Bobbi, You will ever remain alive in soul as in the souls and minds of countless others.
Marcia Polenberg

I met Bobbi in a book club. She always had so much insight to contribute regarding the story, or the lesson to be gained from the book. Many times the depth of her comments brought forth ideas that had not occured to me. She did everything in a special way. I miss her already.

Bobbie has always been very special to me … I felt connected to here from the moment we met.
She was my first instructor at the A2PG, helping me learn as much about myself as I did about clay.. … Clay and life is there is a connection. We have had many great conversations, which I have thought of long after they were finished.

I have many different feeling about Bobbie moving on and no longer being accessible to me in the same way – this I have not totally come to grips with it, however feel grateful that someone has impacted my life as she and have respected so much.

Thanks for making me laugh and think..
Love and light … Joseph