To end his homily after speaking about the hope of the resurrection for believers in Jesus Christ, Pastor Rene Francois shared a poem written by Henry Van Dyke:

I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.  Then someone at my side says:

"There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"  There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying...

Henry Van Dyke

"There, she is gone!" and "Here she comes!"  What a wonderful and comforting visual!!  Andria

When I try to capture my thoughts and memories of our beloved "Auntie" Dee, the expression "One of a Kind" seems to be the most accurate phrase.  While everyone is unique in their own way, Dee took 'unique' to a new level!  She was truly always there for all of us; whether to offer a sympathetic ear, a joke and a laugh, or a companion to visit or travel with.  She was the consummate friend and family member.  Julie and I have so many wonderful memories with Dee, especially from our many weekend excursions to the Palm Springs area with her and Julie's Mom, Marylou.  She could make us laugh in a way the no one else could.

Julie and I will miss her tremendously; however we will also always cherish our wonderful memories of our beloved Auntie Dee.  May Dee Rest in Peace as we thank Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for bringing her to the promised land.

With God's Love,

Dave and Julie

Dee and her sister Marylin could never have known how much they impacted my life.  When I met Andria over 30 years ago, I met these two wonderful women.  I thought I was marrying into a family and getting a mother-in-law and a new aunt.  I soon learned that I had gained a mother in Marylin and "Auntie Dee". 

Auntie Dee is a title and endearment that defies definition.  She was another mom to me, an aunt to me, a friend to me, a warrior for me, and so much more.  I have always known that she would support me and follow me to the ends of the earth.  Of course, she would never go over the edge of the earth with me, but she would have pushed anyone who had ill-will for me over the edge of the earth, and while chuckling, made sure I didn't go over, too.

 Auntie Dee was a Great Aunt to my son, never missing any major event in his life, unless, of course, she was out traveling somewhere amazing in the world.  For every one of my birthdays for over 30 years, I could count on the most insulting, hilarious birthday card imaginable; something I always looked forward too. Something I will greatly miss.

I will also miss our "secret dates" each week.  I still think no one knew about them; we got away with it!  Do they show The Goldbergs in Heaven? If they haven't, they do now.

This last 12 months is unbearably sad, having lost both of these wonderful women.  These two sisters.  My personal loss is God's gain in Heaven.  Of course, He has to deal with them arguing now.

I loved you, Dee.  I still love you; and always will.

God's speed.

Tim