Over at the Hilton Anatole, the entire place was rocking on Saturday, May 9. A wedding reception was in the Chantilly, a “blooming” fundraiser was being held in the Grand Ballroom, and AWARE’s “Celebrating the Moments” was non-stopping in the Stemmons Ballroom.
It was indeed a celebration of moments and very special people like honorees
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![Billie Leigh Rippey and Gail Plummer]()
Billie Leigh Rippey and Gail Plummer
Billie Leigh Rippey with Paige Rippey Locke and Tricia Rippey Besing;
- Nancy Goff Cheney with Camille Cheney Fournier, Allison Cheney, John R. Cheney and Robert J. Cheney
- The Caroline Rose Hunt family and
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![Bragg and Jill Smith, Fay and Dan Sheehan and Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller*]()
Bragg and Jill Smith, Fay and Dan Sheehan and Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller*
The late Mary Ann Smith and her children Ann Smith Barbier-Mueller, Fay Smith Sheehan and Eugene Bragg “Bragg” Smith III.
With WFAA’s Ron Corning emceeing, the evening was a perfect blending of compassion and partying to conquer Alzheimer’s by benefiting the Baylor AT&T Memory Center, Center for BrainHealth, Center for Vital Longevity, Jewish Family Service, Juliette Fowler Communities and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Greg and Amy Osler*
One of the most moving parts of the evening was when 51-year-old Amy Osler stood on stage with her husband, Greg Osler, by her side. Diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s, she said he was there to help in case she wasn’t able to remember. It was so touching a presentation that tears fell and guests stood to give her a standing ovation.
Then the call-out for financial support got underway. Starting with an ask for $10,000 and continued down to the $250 mark. At that point Caroline Rose Hunt’s son Patrick Sands raised his hand. When asked if he was signing up for $250, Patrick said, “No! $25,000!” resulting in another standing “O.”
As some of the early birds started heading home as a tornado watch was still in place, one fellow was heard telling a couple of blondes heading out the doors, “Where have you been all my life?”
Teresa Chantilis, Lorena Canellos, Matula Adams and Stephanie Bray
Shelly Groves, Susan Mooney, Pam Eleman and Sabrina Schiller
Others, like Gala Chair Stephanie Bray, AWARE President Gail Plummer, Shelly Groves, Teresa Chantilis, Lorena Canellos, Matula Adams, Susan Mooney, Pam Eleman and Sabrina Schiller, evidently didn’t care in the least about stormy weather as they danced to Wayne Foster’s band in from Carlsbad, California, with Wayne at the piano.
Wayne Foster dancers
Wayne Foster dancers
Wayne Foster dancers
For a break to catch their breath, guests stepped to the edge of the dance floor and watched Wayne’s dancers do a sizzling tango that Len would have given a “10.”
* Photos provided by AWARE