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With an extremely heavy heart, I'm annoucing cousin Neil Mamales passed a couple of week ago from a stroke, July 10, 2026. He was a fun, positive and energetic family member. More information has been posted as his nieces and nephews have completed his obituary. See Obituary Link
Below are additional photos provided by friends:
https://www.evite.com/event/02DFIIAE4SKDAA6HWEPRR3TPKCAA7A/photos?gid=02DFIIAE4SKDAAGJ6EPRR5F2CCHA7Q&emhm5=6c4bc760de79e83fe60b5320ee4f5e5b&emhs1=ad54e1e372c4857dea89ef0731edbbd3a33fe7f9&emhs2=2887ff9025a1876fb99c61d1befcd4de11c9bf95121e7fd8a3d8940e46be6ad9&utm_campaign=view_photos_bt&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=GUEST_FEED_COMMENT_BATCH
https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/lynnwood-wa/lionel-mamales-12966950?fbclid=IwY2xjawTrB25wZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXc3NVdSQ3JOaVZSOEdaS0FzcnR
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Mark Long
was glad he chose to play on are intramural basketball team Centennial Flour. His easy going personality was a perfect fit for our team. Rock on Neil !!
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
Sharon Breeden
As I’m closing in on the finality of these threads.I stumbled onto a few more treasures and photos of Neil that I couldn’t pass up sharing…
I guess I’ll take the rap for Neil’s Tootsie Pop addiction! It is in print and he’s not excepting any responsibility, Fine! Personally, we both had a mutual addiction with said Candy!
I came across my promise ring - which was such a big deal for us, along with our lucky penny dated the year of our birth.
I found my Lane, “mini” hope chest box from Oak Harbor Furniture - it still smells pretty decent.. Any of you gals have yours? My class ring and the 14 KT gold bicentennial earrings my parents gave me for graduation.
That was a lovely gift!
As the sun was going down yesterday and the last box was being opened - I finally located my year book, Yay!!
I hadn’t opened that up in 40 years. I treated myself with reading every message from cover to cover - thank goodness I have a thing for magnifiers. Sadly, a couple months ago Neil told me we had lost a lot of classmates.
In my head - I’m repeating, focus on the good.
I quietly reminisced and I really took my time and looked at everyone’s photo - He was so right.
As luck would have it - I saved the second to the last page for Lionel alone.
To see that beautiful penmanship fill the page with the sweetness and honesty of a young man in love was so endearing. He wasn’t ever afraid to share his full heart with me.
I had a real good cry after reading that!
As my memory would serve me -
I knew I had a couple solo picture’s floating around of Neil & I at graduation that my Mom had taken.
Lo and behold in my yearbook box was a large (wrapped in plastic) hardbound family bible my folks presented me with that previous Christmas “75”. As soon as I saw it I knew they’d be inside. Yep, right in front behind the cover - I was thrilled!
I don’t know about you all, but my mother was notorious for writing on the back of photos. What she wrote on Neil’s was classic!! It warmed my heart and she was absolutely right!
Nicely done Mom, I know - finally!
I could go on and on - But I do know it’s time to ease out to protect and settle my heart.
So in closing, the last group of my photos are of Neil, along with his lovely sisters - Elma & Em.
Solo shots of the island, and a couple of him, me and the lone one of us together.
These were taken at our 10 year reunion. Truth be told, when he picked me up in Seattle - the stars aligned all over again! We didn’t miss a beat! It was one of the most memorable weekends on the books. At that reunion a lot of you thought we had married years earlier. We got a kick out of that.
To this day, I will forever cherish that time with him and all those wonderful memories.
When I got home to AZ, Neil wrote me.
Professing is love and asking me if I would really consider us and being together again. He stated we’ve been in love for 11 yrs, let’s shoot for 25 more. Seeing his words…. was the most honest and heartfelt letter I’ve ever received in my entire life.
They say timing is everything… along with location, location - location!
The logistics and our own lives we were living, seemed to have gotten in the way..
What we both always knew was this - love is the most powerful source in the universe and soulmates,
together or apart - live in one another’s hearts forever.
So lastly, I leave you with this - as music always seems to connect the heart to the human condition.
“Our song” is one that Stevie Wonder wrote ❤️
“I’ll be loving you always “ Take a listen… it’s pretty powerful and a great tune to dance to.
All those years ago - Neil wrote me an additional verse and those words I will always keep near & dear to my heart.
I’ll be loving you always Neil
You all take real good care! And truly - thank you for listening and remembering with me, my soulmate Neil 💕 .
As far as this reunion -
My friend and self proclaimed “Queen of soul” Angela Pride class of “77” OHHS
Wrote in my year book ~
Sharon,
Get up and BOOGIE!! RIGHT ON!!
I couldn’t agree more! Have the time of your lives Wildcats!
Peace & love,
Sharon