Introducing Maryanne & Remembering John

I would like to introduce you to Maryanne Pope. If you meet Maryanne the first thing you will notice is her vibrancy, enthusiasm and how she lights up an entire room, drawing people to her. On one of our last coffee dates a lady came to our table, apologized for interrupting us and handed Maryanne her business card saying something to the effect of, "I love your energy and I have to know you". Maryanne exudes positive energy, lives an authentic life, devotedly cares for her aging dogs and has the biggest heart. She is honest, candid and real in her conversations and writing. I admire how Maryanne is awake, engaged and present in living, how she takes risks and grows and is consciously creating the best life for her.


Ten years ago today the world lost John Petetropoulos, while he was on duty as a police officer, and forever altered the lives of those who knew and loved him, most significantly his soul mate and wife, Maryanne.

Hero is defined as a person of distinguished exceptional courage and strength, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Maryanne Pope is my hero. 

Maryanne faced, lived through and rose triumphantly through one of the most painful experiences I can imagine facing. Instead of burying her head in the sand, Maryanne chose to live, to grow, to blossom and to honor John. She followed her dreams and started a production company Pink Gazelle Productions, where she wrote and produced theater screenplays; film projects; television public service announcements and literature. Maryanne is the Board Chair of the John Petetropoulos Memorial Fund which strives to raise awareness and prevent accidents like John's from re-occurring. She is a motivational speaker and speaks to help/teach/inspire others. Maryanne took a tragic experience with threads of pain, sorrow and loss and wove it into gold, touching the world and making it a better place.

Recently Maryanne asked me to do a photo session for the book cover of the second edition, A Widow's Awakening, a creative non-fiction of her experience the first year grieving the loss of John (a must read & book clubs check this out). I instantly felt a knot in my stomach and showed apprehension. I had not been photographing for awhile, as I just had a baby, did not feel confident in my abilities and feared I could not do the book cover justice. Maryanne responded to my insecurities with "No, no, no...you're the gal for the job- I know it!" I prayed for strength and courage to do the book cover justice for Maryanne & John.

The plan was Maryanne would fly in for our photo session and we would have that one day to shoot the book cover before she had to leave for a wedding. On that scheduled day there were dark and heavy clouds in the sky. When Maryanne came to my house it was raining at the back of the house and sunny clear skies at the front where she entered. The rain stopped shortly after and we went to our session location. As soon as we started photographing the most beautiful light glowed in the sky, illuminating Maryanne. We had such a fun time together and I am honored to have been asked to be apart of a book that means so very much to me. Even more I am honored to be apart of capturing an image for John & Maryanne's legacy. Thank you Maryanne for encouraging me to get back in the game pursuing my passion and for believing in me.

While I can't share many of the photos, as they are being considered for the book cover, I can share a couple, that will not be used and I believe capture my beautiful friend's spirit. Maryanne, my life and the world at large is better having you in it. I love you my friend with all my heart! Today I think of you and John and I remember.