Oh, Mary, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I know of nothing that could be worse. Please accept my prayers for you and your family. {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Mary, there is nothing that I can say that will lessen the great pain and sorrow you must feel over the loss of your wonderful and precious daughter Diane. Know that my prayers go out to you and your family with hope that you eventually find peace. Sue
I cannot express how gratified I am that all of you have become such a family that you are so affected by Mary's painful tragedy.
To those of you who have offered to send payments to help this website in honor of Diane - I am overwhelmed by the offer, and promise to do everything in my power to keep this website running with dignity and a continuing family atmosphere.
I hope to be able to write a blog for tomorrow about the fragility of life, but I have to tell you that this is tough for me. Whereas most of you know Mary as a cyberfriend, I shared real hugs, laughter, and tears with her on the February cruise. I met Diane, but did not spend a lot of time with her, because she was watching her Dad, so Mary could participate in our onboard activities.
I am so sorry to learn about Diane. I was so impressed when we met on the caregiver cruise in February. Since we were at the same dinner table each night I was aware of how lovingly she attended to Dave so that you could relax a little. She was such a lovely person. We had several interesting conversations at the dinner table. This loss will result in a big change in your life since she was such an important member of Dave's care giving team. How I wish we were close enough to hug as we did on board. I also will send a donation to this website in her honor.
My tears are flowing for you too here in Northwest Arkansas Mary. Will also send check to Joan in memory of Diane. My prayers and thoughts are with you and those who have been touched by your angel daughter.
Mary posted on Facebook yesterday. She said they were still making arrangements to bring Diane home and thanked everyone for your words of support and love.
Thank you for all your prayers and thoughtful responses to our loss. They mean a lot to us. We are beginning to find out what all we have to do to bring Diane home. We are grateful that her last week was filled with relaxation from her duties as co-caregiver with me of her father, and fun with Debbie, Dean, Stacy, Alex and Alysa having a wonderful time. We are devastated from losing her.
We all know our spouses are ill, but this is so devistating when it comes from nowhere. So much love to you and your family from one who cares so very much.
You have all become my family over the last two years, and your outpouring of sympathy and love overwhelms me. I am so grateful to have you. I honestly feel your hugs and prayers. I needed and need them.
We have finally finalized the arrangements to bring Diane home. We are flying on separate planes and arriving within hours of each other. We are going to have a memorial service on Wednesday morning at our Church - a celebration of her life. She had said she didn't want a traditional funeral. One of her brothers asked me privately if he could write her obituary, and the other asked me privately if he could prepare a slide show of her life for the service. Then Debbie asked if she could make the guest book. They had not discussed this among themselves. It is amazing to me that they each have talents to express their love for their sister in different ways.
I will always miss her. She brought sunshine into my life.
Love and gratitude to you all,
Mary
p.s. All of the jokes I've posted here in our jokes and giggles post came to me from Diane. She made certain I always started my days with a smile.
Mary---The cruise ship is headed to Ar next....We will all be there for you by Monday, if the wind holds up, and if the seas don't get rougher. You are in our innermost thoughts and prayers.
Mary, you're very thoughtful to check in at this impossibly difficult time. Thank you. You can see there are many prayers, good thoughts and virtual hugs being sent your way. God bless.
Mary, I am so sorry for the lost of your daughter and can not even imagine the pain and sorrow that you and your family are going through at this diificult time. Even through some of us may not post often, we have gotten to know you through your posting on this website and feel so close to you. I am so sorry and hugs to you!
Mary, thinking of you today on the 4th in beautiful honolulu. i hope you are on a beach having a drink and soaking in the beauty of the ocean and taking a small time away from all your emotions.. miss you friend, divvi
Mary, I'm also thinking about you. It's morning in Honolulu and I pray the sun is shining on you. If I were there - I'd be sure you'd have a tall frosty MaiTai with a silly umbrella stuck in the top..on your side table all day. I wish you peace, dear sister. Nancy
Mary, Wishing you a safe trip back and peaceful days ahead as you prepare for Diane's service. My thoughts & prayers are with you and yours. Much love, Debbie
I was wondering if anyone knows Diane's last name? Or what funeral home? (Funeral is Wednesday). We could go on-line and sign the guest book for her if we can find that out. Maybe one of you knows the info?
Vickie, I have been searching with no success so I e-mailed Mary for the information. We may have to wait until they return to the states. I think we can find it then. Lois
Mary, A memorial service sounds wonderful. Celebrating a lovely daughter in such a touching way. I sounds like you have very thoughtful family and you all will be providing many hugs but hopefully you will also feel all of our {{{HUGS}}} to and let us know, when you are able, how you are. God bless.
She was cremated in Hawaii. I doubt a funeral home would be involved in Arkansas. Funeral is at their Baptist Church in North Little Rock. I believe that info is posted.
Mary e-mailed me back and they are not using a local funeral home, just having the Church service on Wed. She is planning on setting up a site on the Church site where we can send condolences and they will print them out for her. One of us will post the website as soon as she gets it set up. They are leaving tonight and getting home around noon tomorrow.
Here is the Church website and be sure and start your entry with "Condolence" and they will see that it gets to Mary. www.cbcnlr.org I just sent mine and it was easy. Just click on Contact us on their site.
((Mary)) I too am at a loss as to what to say that could bring you any comfort. I can't imagine. Please know you are deep in my thoughts and prayers. Much love ((hugs))
Mary just sent me a e-mail about a glich in the Church site and we need to re-send our condolences to Mary. www.cbcnlr.org and begin with condolences for Diane Hand.
Subject: RE: Contact from CBC site
Mary,
Due to a technical glitch on our website, anyone that has tried to leave condolences since I last emailed you did not get through. Even though the messages said that they sent, they were lost in cyberspace. I wanted to let you know so that you may inform those that wish to leave condolences to go ahead and resubmit them. We now have the problem fixed. I am so sorry for this inconvenience, and if there is anything I can do to help, let me know.
Mary, thinking of you today and when the time is right for you , know your friends are waiting to welcome you back with open arms and much understanding-(((HUGGSSS) divvi