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Laraine Shape, An Activerain Favorite - We'll Miss You!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

With social media comes many, many new relationships. If you guys are like me, you're creating and meeting many fellow industry peeps right here on places like AR. With that comes a very heavy price - one that cannot be bought, negotiated or ignored - death. 

We all die - there's no question, doubt or argument. 

Social Media has showed me just how fragile life is. As a matter of fact, it's reinforced just how precious our lives are. I lost my mother in 2005, my dad in 2002 and multiple others that I was extremely close to. I've lost too many people for being only 41 years old. Death has taught me a lot. I am way more empathetic, understanding and knowledgeable about the most tragic thing that can occur to any human being on earth.

Every once in awhile I learn about an Activerain member (that I know) who has died. Tonight I learned of the one and only Laraine Shape. Laraine was one of my favorites. She was a sarcastic, clever and damn fine writer. She shared some of the same comedic, but serious thoughts about our business that many of us do, only she was able to put her thoughts down better than just about any one. Laraine was unique, fun and very entertaining. She was one of the best authors/bloggers and real estate writers I've ever known. 

 

Godspeed and rest in peace, Laraine. We'll miss you!

Laraine Shape

Posted by
Greg Nino
Realtor
RE/MAX Compass 
Direct & Text 7 days a wk: 832-298-8555 
 
 
Realtor since 2004
Mediator & Arbitrator for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Member of the Professional Standards Committee for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Arbitrator for the Comptroller's office for the State of TX for Arbitration of Property Tax Values

 Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Platinum Club

 

The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.  

Comments(26)

Kate McQueen
Realty Associates Texas - Cypress, TX
Tailored service for your real estate needs!

I regret that I never knew Laraine on AR, though I've been here for 5 years.  Thank you for introducing her and your thoughts are very poignant.

Feb 27, 2015 12:58 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Hey Greg, I do remember her and am shocked. Did anyone say what happened that cause this?

Very sad indeed

Feb 27, 2015 01:23 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Greg, I clicked over to read some of Laraine's posts, only to find everything has been taken down. Her blog and her website. Kind of sad really. I like to think my words will live on.

Feb 27, 2015 01:24 AM
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

I did not know her but that is sad. She looked so young.

Prays for everyone.

Feb 27, 2015 02:03 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Tammie White , Laraine pulled her AR inventory 2-3 years ago when she went Wordpress only.  Try LaraineShape.com to get her archives.

Feb 27, 2015 02:24 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Liz and Bill Spear thanks for the link. I'm curious, would you delete all your content here if you went 100% WP?

Feb 27, 2015 04:42 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Greg, I didn't know Laraine, but I also just read another post from Carla Muss Jacobs about her too, so, I know she must have been a favorite for many in our community. We've lost some great AR members in the last few years, but their contributions will always be remembered.

Feb 27, 2015 04:56 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I wrote a post too, Jerry Newman mentioned on mine that you had written one. Yup, Laraine she was a damn fine writer, hiliarous . . . here's my post, and I hope you don't mind me linking to In Memoriam: Laraine Shape

Feb 27, 2015 05:32 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Laraine was one of my favorites.  What a great writer. Her Ralph posts were very clever! She will be missed.

Feb 27, 2015 09:14 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Laraine was an amazing woman indeed and I am sure she will be missed by many. She not only sold real estate, she was one hell of a cook, an amazing writer and had a blog that dealt with psychiatric issues, medications, suicide. She was a great lady indeed. I missed her when she left here, followed her other sites, and will now miss her always. Great post Greg. 

And I guess that means Ralph the Real Estate Dog is now silenced forever. He was amazing! 

Feb 27, 2015 09:34 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Greg Nino a touching tribute to Laraine.

We have been missing too many members off late!

Feb 27, 2015 12:16 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Greg, this is a fine tribute to another Real Estate Agent and Writer.

Feb 27, 2015 12:37 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Greg - My condolences to her family. We have lost maby special people here in the Rain.

Feb 27, 2015 02:31 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Greg. Thank you for writing about her. I read some of her posts and remember. I had to look up her obituary. Her untimely death is shocking to me. My thoughts go out to her family especially to her grandchildren, niece, and nephew.

Feb 27, 2015 09:47 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Greg, Laraine will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Feb 27, 2015 11:10 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A moment to one of us who passed is time well spent. We shared the same roads

Feb 27, 2015 11:26 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

That is really sweet. You really feel like you get to know people here. Sometimes great friendships are then formed in person, too. 

Mar 01, 2015 09:33 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Greg, I didn't know Laraine however, I am sure she will be missed by the Active Rain family and beyond.

Mar 01, 2015 01:12 PM
Suzanne Strickler
Realty Mark Associates - Havertown, PA
School is never out for the Successful.

Greg ~ Thanks for paying tribute to a woman who seems to have spread laughter and goodwill here within the Rain.

Mar 05, 2015 07:00 AM
Tony Morganti
RE/MAX Crossroads in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, Ohio - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
CRS, ABR, SRES - Cuyahoga Falls, Stow

Greg - Laraine was truly a great asset to ActiveRain and all of us.  I enjoyed everything she wrote and what a sense of humor!  She is missed.

Mar 09, 2015 12:52 AM