Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Hi All

I am wondering if anyone plans to attend Denise's memorial service this Friday? I live only an hour or so north of Lansdale so I plan on being there. I am hoping someone from here is going too so that I will have a hand to hold.

Leah

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

I really want to go but I have 5 house guests for Thanksgiving who are not leaving until Saturday so I am pretty sure I can't (as they are my family and not my husband's). I would only be an hour or so away (coming from a different direction from you). However, I promise if something changes, I will immediately contact you here or private message you.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thanks Becky.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

I really wish I could go, and ordinarily I would be able to do that (though it's more like 6 hours of travel than just 1), but I'll be in Denver for Thanksgiving. I'll be with you in spirit! Hopefully someone will be there with you in body.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thanks Amy

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

THEY LIVE SREAMED BRENDA'S SERVICE. I watched on Caring Bridge.

I was so impressed. My daughter (now 45) lost a college friend a few years back, in Michigan -- and same. They live streamed the whole service for adoring friends across the country to "BE THERE"... They really really wanted to be but distance, circumstances, etc....... prevented that. But this was brilliant.

My heart is with Denise always. Truly. And most especially from the very moment I read she had died. It was just so inconceivable!

We talk now all the time!

And I find myself sending (Ted -- my father's name, who died in 1977 -- Nov 16 -- I just recently lit a yahtzeit candle for him -- and the other night for my mom who died in 2001 -- Nov 23) I digress. I apologize.

I find myself sending Ted and Jack and Ben my heartfelt condolences.

Denise had so many siblings! And has a mom who has lived to go through all this! And I send them each and every one my love and want them to know the sheer delight their Denise has given so many as she cheerfully and with unique comic flair fought off the bad guys -- canser (misspelling intended as disrespect and loathing) cells. Terrorists of our bodies...

Love to all my Sisters and Brothers too,
ANDI

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

I am all the way in California . . . so can't attend. I am glad that you will be going to represent us. We will all be there in spirit to wish our dear friend a fond farewell. I hope that another one of us is able to join you in person.

Thank you Leah.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Leah, I too will be with you in spirit. I truly hope someone can join you. But you will represent us well
Keep the faith

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thanks Elizabeth and Bonnie. I sure do wish the two of you lived on the east coast.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Leah,
I was really hoping to but I just looked it up and and its 6 1/2 hours for me. I would spend the entire day driving since I cant spend the night. Being Thanksgiving weekend, I will also be leaving some guests to attend. It breaks my heart that I will not be there. Im in Ohio. If anything changes I will let you. I would like to be there.

Darlene

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

What is comforting: Denise, no doubt, had a straight ascension to the hand of the Father she so loved. And that is what awed me most about her: her faith, through good and bad.
I will not be able to attend her service, but what a bubble of love will be there.
With love,
Karen

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

An older and dear friend passed a few yrs ago. I was always struck by his incredible will to live (past major heart surgeries, through prostate cancer, etc.).

But it was his fervent wish to LIVE, not exist. Be in a wheelchair. Not be "himself". And I thoroughly agree with that perspective. I've lived through my mother's alzheimers (all 12 yrs of it, 3 at home with round the clock aides I arranged, and 9 in a nursing home). She became paralyzed. Unable to speak or understand most of what you said. Read or book or watch a television show. She could not feed or bathe herself, nor go to the bathroom herself.

When my dear friend was on vacation with his family, in Miami, he had another major heart attack. In the hospital, the docs thought that if he could hold on till tomorrow, they could possibly do risky surgery to help him live. There was no guarantee he would be the same man he was though.

His sons and my beloved friend (his wife) held his hand as he lay unable to speak, but clearly fighting, as was his nature. His will to live was fierce. His family discussed it all with him and he blinked, understanding.

He passed a few hours later...

It is my conviction that he was drawn to the Light and told what would be, that he wouldn't be the man he was, and he chose to let go. We were all stunned and deeply saddened.

But when I thought about how certain he was that he wanted to live and not to exist, I reasoned as I am explaining to you.

When I think of Denise, knowing her fervent wish to live, but to retain her mind and her wit and her fabulous communication skills -- the things that made her "her" -- I believe that something similar happened with her. She was shown what the future would hold for her, alive but not herself, and she chose to decline though she passionately wanted to remain with her darling family, Ted, Jack and Ben.

I would have to say I would make the same choice.

So my friend Irwin, and our dear Denise, made their choices I believe and I accept their decision whole-heartedly, difficult though it is...

Now vivacious, comedically gifted Denise is her truest Self, consciousness in a new vessel on another plane of being. I still love you, Denise. I know you know that...

All our hearts will continue to be with Denise, through this week and for eons of weeks to come, through the holidays as someone wisely noted, explaining the reason for our reserved sadness yet grateful to enjoy the blessings we have. We will be with her and her large family through Thanksgiving and most especially at her Memorial Service. May God bless her and her remarkable family, now and throughout time...

Dust to dust, as Denise wanted. We're all stardust after all. The Soul is energy. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. Denise lives on, in another way, in another dimension...

That's what I think... Sending Love and Blessings and Light...with all my heart...

Andi

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Darlene Karen Andi, thanks. I know everyone will be there in spirit. I hope to meet ALL of you someday, under happier circumstances.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

I hope so Leah. We have a nice cluster here in NY, so the next time you come, please call us. I have made some wonderful lifetime friends here on the board, from East to West coasts. I visited Kim (Radiant) in San Francisco just a few weeks before she passed. She was never happy with her photographs so I would never post us together. Then we had a few taken with another member of the board here, and Kim didn't like that one either, although she looked great. So, yes, it would be wonderful to meet you, anytime, anyplace.
Oh, and during that trip, we had drinks with Jay (Courtney's husband). He is amazing. Well, we all knew that through his fantastic portrayal of his life with Courtney. We are one family after all.
Warm love,
Karen

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Friends,

I was able to attend Denise's memorial service today. Must have been over 100 people there, no big surprise. There was a laptop set up that ran a continuous stream of photo's of Denise and her family. I was able to meet and hug her husband Ted (great hugger btw) and also meet (again, she and I met briefly back in April) and hug her little sister Sally and Sally's daughter Erin. I met Jack and Ben too, such handsome young men but refrained from forcing them to hug some strange lady.

Denise's sister in law Martha gave a beautiful eulogy, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. She was so loved. Teds brother sang a wonderful rendition of Ava Marie. Just beautiful.

I can see why she loved her church and pastor so much, such a feeling of family.

I encouraged Ted and Sally to visit us here when they are ready.

It was a beautiful day to say goodbye to such a beautiful lady. A crisp and sun-shiny fall day, a perfect day for Denise.

I felt all of you there in spirit, holding hands with one another.

Leah

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Oh, Leah, how wonderful that you were able to attend and represent us. It sounds like a beautiful but bittersweet experience. God bless all concerned
Keep the faith

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thanks you so much for sharing. I have been thinking all day of our wonderful Denise. I'm so sad.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thank you, Leah for being there. I know we all wanted to join you. Thank you for sharing the experience in detail.

Of course, Ted is a good hugger, he's obviously an exceptionally warm and caring human being! I can just see her handsome boys, and having grandsons, I understand not wanting to impose yourself. I'm sure they could use a hug. Who couldn't???!!!

So appreciate you reporting in to us, Leah. Love your heart!

Andi

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thank you so much Leah. I didn't have an updated passport. I couldn't attend. But Ted should be receiving 25 red roses from me on behalf of us on this board any day now.
Nora
I could feel it all the way up here, very conscious during the day of what time it was at Denise's funeral.

Re: Memorial Service for Denise This Friday
 

Thanks, Leah. What a beautiful service for a beautiful lady! Thanks to you too, Nora, for sending the roses on our behalf!