Another long time Tugger is gone

Pat H · Jan 12, 2016

I am so very sad to have to post this. Fern Modena passed away suddenly today. Fern was on TUG from it's early days and at one time the Tug Lounge was called Fern's Cafe (or was it lounge). When I was in Vegas in Nov, a few other Tuggers and I had lunch with Fern. She had several health problems in recent years but her death was unexpected.

Fern was a wealth of information on TUG. She was always very nice and kind to me and I am so grateful to have been friends with her. She is now with her beloved Jerry.

May she rest in peace. :bawl:

T-Dot-Traveller · Jan 12, 2016

Sorry to read this

Had read recent posts by Fern and enjoyed them .

I hope she and Jerry get a 2 bedroom lock off and great trades in heaven

Passepartout · Jan 12, 2016

OMG!!! Fern was one of my favorite TUGgers. I had a PM conversation with her in the last couple of days. R.I.P. my FRIEND, he says through tears.

Jim

Helaine · Jan 12, 2016

I enjoyed her posts so much. I'm really sorry to hear she's gone.

Karen G · Jan 12, 2016

I am stunned. We live in the same community. So sad to read this.

MULTIZ321 · Jan 12, 2016

What shocking news. I never met Fern personally but over the years she has been very helpful to me on a variety of topics, both timeshare related and non-timeshare topics. I considered Fern a friend.

I'll miss her.

Rest in Peace Fern.

Richard

davidvel · Jan 12, 2016

Fern was great, always letting you know how it really is, without the B.S., with your interests in mind. So sorry to all for TUGBBS' collective loss.

lizap · Jan 12, 2016

I am heartbroken. RIP Fern.

jme · Jan 12, 2016

Tug's Unstoppable Gal

She told it like it was, and was usually right.
Been reading Fern's posts since the late 90s.....a wise lady.
Fern, you'll be missed....RIP

Found this photo of Fern in an old 2012 post:
(left to right:Gundy & Karen Gunderson, Fern Modena, Sherry & Ross Eason)

TUGBrian · Jan 12, 2016

oh wow, this is so very sad.

literally one of the founding members of TUG.

Karen G · Jan 12, 2016

jme said:
Tug's Unstoppable Gal

She told it like it was, and was usually right.
Been reading Fern's posts since the late 90s.....a wise lady.
Fern, you'll be missed....RIP

Found this photo of Fern in an old 2012 post:
(left to right:Gundy & Karen Gunderson, Fern Modena, Sherry & Ross Eason)

Thanks for posting the photo. That was a fun time with Fern and the Easons. I will surely miss her.

VacationForever · Jan 12, 2016

I was planning to meet up with her in Spring this year when we retire to Henderson.

MuranoJo · Jan 12, 2016

What a shock! Seems like I saw one of her posts fairly recently. I'm so very sorry to hear this--timeshare has truly lost a 'Leading Lady.'

In my earliest days on TUG, I phoned in to a few of her chat sessions (not sure what it was called, maybe that was 'Fern's Cafe'?).

SueDonJ · Jan 12, 2016

What a shock. I'm so sorry for all of you who counted Fern a friend away from online life, and sad for the rest of us who will miss her here. She was one of a kind.

klpca · Jan 12, 2016

Wow, what a loss for TUG. I enjoyed her posts and loyalty to the group.

"Roger" · Jan 12, 2016

Very sad to hear the news.

I am a bit fuzzy about the early beginings, but I believe Fern's involvement in helping timeshare owners connect with each other predates even TUG. She started a message board for timeshare owners on the Prodigy network (one of the first information services on the net). When TUG was formed, her service became Fern's Cafe. After several years, she asked that the name be dropped and we now have what is called the TUG Lounge. (Others who were around before me, please feel free to step in to add to the story and correct any mistakes that I have made.)

In any case, I will certainly miss Fern. May she rest in peace.

WinniWoman · Jan 12, 2016

OMG. So very sorry to hear this. Prayers for her family.

GrayFal · Jan 12, 2016

Sorry to hear this. I know Fern had been a good friend to many Tugers. RIP

sun&fun · Jan 12, 2016

So very sad to read this. I felt like I knew her from her posts here on the forums. She will be missed.

riverdees05 · Jan 12, 2016

Terrible, may she rest in peace, wonderful person.

Nancy · Jan 12, 2016

Sad

I see she last posted on Jan 10, so it must have been sudden. If someone sees her obit, could they please post it or a link to it.

pedro47 · Jan 12, 2016

I never had the opportunity to meet this person face to face. But she gave me so great advice about timeshare ownership and about diabetes.

R.I.P. Fern, I will never forget you.

RonB · Jan 12, 2016

Sad news indeed. I always appreciated her straightforward style, and she truly wanted everyone to have the best vacations possible ~ Ron

ronandjoan · Jan 12, 2016

sun&fun said:
So very sad to read this. I felt like I knew her from her posts here on the forums. She will be missed.

Agree, she was always so very helpful.

Glynda · Jan 12, 2016

So sad!

Fern was instrumental in my timesharing education, and that of many. I remember reading her articles in "Timesharing Today" magazine early in my search for information. Her presence on TUG was as one whose posts I searched for, enjoyed and respected. TUG without Fern is hard to imagine. She will be missed. May she rest in peace!

Another long time Tugger is gone

Pat H

T-Dot-Traveller

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

Helaine

Karen G

MULTIZ321

davidvel

lizap

jme

TUGBrian

Karen G

VacationForever

TUG Review Crew

MuranoJo

SueDonJ

klpca

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

"Roger"

TUG Review Crew

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

GrayFal

TUG Review Crew: Expert

sun&fun

Tug Review Crew: Rookie

riverdees05

Nancy

pedro47

TUG Review Crew: Expert

RonB

ronandjoan

TUG Review Crew: Elite

Glynda