As the year comes to a close, we're looking back at some of the most visited Guest Books of 2012. For each, we've selected a condolence message that represents the common themes among the thousands of messages we received.
"Grew up with your angelic voice. As a teenager, you always made me sing along, dance along, even feel the pain you were going through. God called you home for a reason, maybe just to sing with angels. Just know I cried when I heard of your passing. I wish I could hear your precious voice live just one more time. May God keep you in His loving arms and just rest my idol of joy. You blessed all who were able to hear your voice, a treasure that no one can ever take away..." (Condolence message for Whitney Houston, singer and actress who died on February 11, 2012 at age 48.)
"I wanted to live in Mayberry. I wanted you to be my dad. You taught me more life lessons as 'Andy Taylor' than any other person I ever had contact with. You were on the top of my list of famous people to meet. When I needed a lawyer I looked for a Matlock. When I wanted to keep my childhood friends I thought of you and Don Knotts and how blessed you both were to share so many years and memories together. You were "America" to me showing the best of what the human race could be. Thank you for sharing your life, talent and love." (Condolence message for Andy Griffith, star of the "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock," who died on July 3, 2012 at age 86.)
"Oh Dear Mr Dick Clark, how you will be missed. The drop of the ball to bring in the New Year will never be the same without seeing you their to count down. You made American Bandstand what it was. Go home now and ROCK AND ROLL in HEAVEN keep those people that have left us way too early young. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES."
(Condolence message for Dick Clark, "World's Oldest Teenager" and host of "American Bandstand," died on April 18, 2012 at age 82.)
"I grew up like millions of other girls with pictures of Davy covering my walls and listening to the Monkees! I had a huge crush on Davy and would have loved to have seen him in concert! I am now 54 and when I heard the news of his sudden death, my heart was broken! It didn't seem possible for him to be gone! My prayers go out to his family! He always brought a smile to my face and will be remembered forever not only by me, but all of the hearts he touched!" (Condolence message for Davy Jones, musician and singer with the Monkees, who died February 29, 2012 at age 66.)
"Rest in Peace MCD. You will be terribly missed. Such a fine actor and human being. Deepest sympathies to his family, friends and all who loved him. I will always thank you for making The Green Mile one of my all time favorite movies. The world of Hollywood has lost another GREAT actor. God Bless you Mr. Duncan." (Condolence message for Michael Clarke Duncan, actor in "The Green Mile" and other movies, who died on September 3, 2012 at age 54.)
"My prayers and heart go out to all who lost their lives to this tragedy. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones or have loved ones who were injured and forever changed by this event. I pray for strength for the police, doctors, the community and all the emergency responders dealing with this tragedy." (Condolence message for the 12 victims of a shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, 2012.)
"To the families mourning these poor babies, I cannot fathom the anguish you are having to endure. For the families of the adults also senselessly lost in this tragedy...they did all they could to try saving these children. They died as a result of their efforts. You should be very proud of their fight..we all are. We are not walking in your shoes, but we are all grieving with you." (Condolence message for the 26 adults and children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.)
We pay tribute to these lives lost, as well as the millions of others who were memorialized in obituary Guest Books in 2012.