We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Chillista Champion-Drake. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan gatherings, we will post invites. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
Chilli was an exceptional woman, loved by many and who always showed sincere, unconditional love to her friends and family, be it in virtual reality, or the real world.
This generous, caring and kind hearted soul was always there to lend an ear, to make... moreChilli was an exceptional woman, loved by many and who always showed sincere, unconditional love to her friends and family, be it in virtual reality, or the real world.
This generous, caring and kind hearted soul was always there to lend an ear, to make you smile if you were down or to just be an engaging and passionate friend to those she cared about.
I met Chilli in 2014 when I had decided to make an attempt at reviving my inner child in the form of an SL virtual child. She arrived at the adoption service and we connected instantly. With grace and care, she helped me accomplish what I set out to accomplish and became the only "mom" for Casey. But above this, she became a mom to me personally, taking a sincere interest in my life and being there to support, be a shoulder to cry on and a smile to lift spirits. Despite the great distance between us, Chilli became a confidant and close friend of mine and I will never forget the unconditional kindness she showed me during our frienship.
Chilli was a go-getter, someone who made things happen! In my tendency to get stuck in analysis paralysis, she was often there to give me the push I needed to make a decision, or take that action on something I was procrastinating on. I am relatively certain that, had we not met, I would have not had the courage to make certain decisions that ultimately benefitted my life and I consider a large part of my success in my work today to her unyielding support and guidance.
As with all long friendships, you get to know each other's quirks, and one particular quirk I think we all can relate to with Chilli was her love for shopping. She would eventually call her expeditions, "Shopping Accidents" to much amusement to those around her. She was always into something in SL and at times, I wondered if she took on too much. She would often switch topics in the middle of a conversation at random, and for this, we affectionately dubbed her "Squirrel", which became a favourite symbol of hers.
I consider myself most fortunate for having the opportunity to know this wonderful woman and she will always have a place in my heart, as I'm sure she does in all those who knew her.
The ones who love us, are always with us. Rest in peace my friend. You are always loved and will not be forgotten. less