This is a partial transcript from "On the Record," April 5, 2005, that has been edited for clarity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUZANNE VITADAMO, TERRI SCHIAVO'S SISTER: You, Mom, are the one I ache for most. A mother deserves to love her children and to have them love her back without anyone taking that love away. There's nothing like a mother's love. There's nothing like your love, Mom. Your devotion and affection is like no other.
All you have ever wanted was to have your children close to you and to love them with all that you have. I'm so sorry that your Terri isn't with us anymore, but I want you to know that you have two children left that love you with all that they have and will be dedicated to you as long as they live. We promise to stay close to you and to fill as much of your heart with love as we can, knowing, though, that part of your heart went to heaven with Terri.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN SUSTEREN: That, of course, is Terri Schiavo's (search) sister. And Terri Schiavo's friends and family did say goodbye at a memorial service in Florida just a short time ago. Terri's friend and former co-worker Jackie Rhodes was at the memorial service. She joins us from Tampa.
Welcome, Jackie.
JACKIE RHODES, ATTENDED TERRI SCHIAVO MEMORIAL: Thank you.
VAN SUSTEREN: Jackie, who spoke at the service tonight?
RHODES: Monsignor Malinowski was the main celebrant, and Father Pavone's homily was very powerful. Her sister spoke. Her brother spoke. Glenn Beck spoke. Pam Hennessey spoke, too — she was the media coordinator for the Schindlers.
VAN SUSTEREN: Refresh my recollection. Glenn Beck — who is he in this?
RHODES: He's a radio personality that was very supportive of the Schindlers throughout this plight of their daughter.
VAN SUSTEREN: OK. Memorial services come in many different colors and fashions and styles. I mean, some are very tearful, some are very joyful, some are a mixture. Is there a way to describe Terri's tonight?
RHODES: Terri's was a celebration of her life. There were tears at many times during the mass. There was also a celebration of Terri and what she's done for the country by bringing people together through all walks of life toward a common goal.
VAN SUSTEREN: One of the tough issues that everyone is thinking, or many people are thinking about is, you know, what Terri would think of this divide that has been developed between her family and husband and her siblings and parents. What do you think Terri would think of this divide?
RHODES: Terri would not like the divide between her parents and Michael. However, at this point, I don't see how there could be anything but. Michael has been very uncompassionate towards her family. She would never want to see her family treated this way.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you think Michael loved Terri?
RHODES: That's a very good question because if he loves Terri as much as he claims he loves Terri, then he would not be doing this to her family. You know, he's preventing them from, you know, having her buried where they want to. You know, he's gone on with his life, yet he's, you know, definitely being very uncompassionate to the family. I just can't understand how someone could do this.
VAN SUSTEREN: Have you had a chance to spend any time with the family since Terri died?
RHODES: I spoke with them almost every day since, and I spent a few minutes with them tonight as I arrived early at the mass.
VAN SUSTEREN: Is there a way to describe how they're doing?
RHODES: They seem to be doing OK. I know this has been very tough for them because they loved Terri, so that they just can't believe that she's finally gone.
VAN SUSTEREN: Is there any plan to go to Pennsylvania and, you know, go to this service that at least we're expecting Michael Schiavo (search) to have? You know, plans can change, but at least at the moment, there appears there's going to be a service.
RHODES: At this point, they do not know about the service or where Michael plans to bury her. I believe they are planning their own service in Pennsylvania for her friends and family there that were unable to travel to Florida tonight.
VAN SUSTEREN: How are Bobby and Terri's sister doing?
RHODES: Bobby was very, very emotional at the service tonight. He was very, very close to Terri, and I know this has got to be incredibly difficult for him and for Suzanne. Suzanne was away at school, so I don't know her as well as Bobby, but they seem to be doing well.
VAN SUSTEREN: We were told by a reporter minutes ago there was about 700 people that showed up. Was the place jam-packed? It would certainly seem like it.
RHODES: It was full. There was no place to sit. There were people standing outside.
VAN SUSTEREN: Jackie, thank you very much for joining us.
RHODES: Thank you.
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