In Memoriam - Dee*s 2nd Childhood (Doreen "Dee" Eastwood)

[asunta]

Sorry to hear of Dee's passing. My condolences to her family and friends.

I'm including a poem i received when my mother passed away.

DON’T GRIEVE FOR ME, FOR I AM FREE,

I FOLLOW THE PATH GOD LAID FOR ME.

I COULD NOT STAY ANOTHER DAY,

TO LAUGH, TO LIVE, TO WORK OR PLAY.

I’VE FOUND MY PEACE, I’M ON MY WAY,

GOD’S GRACE IS MINE, I DO SO PRAY.

IF MY PARTING HAS LEFT A VOID,

THEN FILL IT WITH REMEMBERED JOY;

A FRIENDSHIP SHARED, A LAUGH, A KISS,

AH, YES, THESE THINGS I TOO WILL MISS.

BUT BE NOT BURDENED WITH TIMES OF SORROW,

I WISH YOU THE SUNSHINE OF TOMORROW.

MY LIFE’S BEEN FULL, I SAVORED MUCH,

GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES, A LOVED ONE’S TOUCH.

PERHAPS MY TIME SEEMED ALL TOO BRIEF,

DON’T LENGTHEN IT NOW WITH UNDUE GRIEF.

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS AND SHARE WITH ME,

GOD WANTS ME NOW, HE SET ME FREE.

[lilmadel]

I'm sorry to hear about her passing. I will be sending up smoke and prayers for her path.

mary

[NordicGirl]

My heart and prayers for her family, friends and coworkers. I'm sure you gals made her Vegas-trip a true joyful memory!

We are truly all connected, half a world away I feel your loss.

Warm hugs from a saddened Eva Mari

[irish]

May Dee rest in peace. She has gone home now and she will be missed by so many.

I am so sorry to all of you who knew and loved Dee. She sounds like she was such a wonderful woman!

hugs,

Sue

[Anna]

Dee,

Across the miles you have touched my life, we were strangers, joined by the common bonds of Friendship.

We have shared the laughter and the joy of belonging, now you are gone, yet I see you now before me, your wings full spread, light radiating from the golden halo above you; the Angel you have rightly now become.

As I kneel to prayer I shed tears for those you leave behind, it will take time for them to come to terms with your loss, but the memories of happier times will soften sorrow.

Rest in peace dear friend.

Anna X

[ToJanieLoveJude]

OMG! I just feel so 'sad' right now....My prayers go to her family...

[Songbird]

For those who would like to join with GALS in sending flowers to the funeral home, please send your Pay Pal contributions to charities@gerardbutlergals.com or you can send a check or money order payable to

Gerard Butler GALS

c/o Susan Payette

P.O. Box 17915

Irvine, CA 92623-7915

Make sure you designate: Dee Eastwood in the notes or memo section.

For those who would like to send something privately, the funeral will be on Sunday at:

Navarre Funeral Home

2440 Rollingbrook Dr.

Baytown, TX 77521

Thank you in advance.

Dr. Em

Thought I'd 'bump' this post, so to speak, in case others missed it within the previous pages, and were wondering about doing something for Dee.

I have been in a funk all day thinking of how we'll all miss her. Dee was so much a part of what is wonderful about being a member of this GALS community. Susan Sporran is right. We really are a FANmily, and it's never been more evident to me than now...because we are truly grieving the loss of one of our own.

Katie

[becozy]

I'm working on a post to bump to Updates, now.

This is all just so sad, so sudden. It really is a reminder to live each day to the fullest and to share our love and kindness while we, and the people we love, are with us.

Dee's cousin, Risa sent Libby the following information, if anyone would like to make a contribution in Dee's memory:

San Jacinto Baptist Association

PO Box 1533

Baytown TX 77522-1533

and please mark it Lake Tomahawk/ Memory of Dee Eastwood.

[touchmetrustme]

Risa, Dee's cousin emailed this info to me today. It is a youth encampment sponsored by Dee's church.

San Jacinto Baptist Association, PO Box 1533, Baytown TX 77522-1533 Please mark contributions for Lake Tomahawk in memory of Dee Eastwood.

Hugs to all,

Libby

Lol, Barb, you are too good. Like minds!

[Knight Phantom]

I'm sorry to say I just now found this thread. I had met Dee in the Mandoll thread. I also met her very briefly in Vegas. She was such a sweet lady. She will be sorely missed.

God Bless you Dee. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

[Abrock]

Thank you Libby and Susan for posting that info about the Baptist camp, I definitely want to make a donation in Dee's memory.

~Mel

[heISmyGspot]

I feel like I just hugged her. I can't believe she's left us so suddenly. Libby, thank you for keeping us updated on developments, despite your being away from home.

I first met Dee in Dallas. Then had the joy and privilege of visiting with her several times after that, including Vegas. We reveled in her screenname and how FUN life had become since discovery GALS and playing with MANDOLLS! LOL Delighting in how much we were both enjoying the friendships we'd made "on the internet" EEK!

I'm sad that I won't get to hug her again in this realm, but look forward to that time when we meet again. I can only hope to be like Dee and Libby "when I grow up!"

Thanks to the site for giving us this forum to express our feelings. I hope that one day Dee's family may be able to find comfort and joy from the posts contained herein. We are all grateful for the opportunity to have known her!

Holly and Mike Ghere

[Sara]

Dee was the first Gal Mary H and I met at the Vegas convention this year. We were wondering around the hotel looking for someone that had some identifing GALs or Gerry item. We saw Dee walking towards us in a 300 shirt and practically attacked her because we were so excited. She was so nice to us. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.

Sara

[belladonkey]

I am so sorry to hear of Dee's passing. I was not fortunate enough to meet her, but it sounds like she was a very special lady and will be truly missed. My condolences to her family.

Bella

[Dr. Em]

I’ve had a little more time to digest the fact that we’ve lost one of our own and I must tell you, I’m having a very difficult time with this.

When I called Libby yesterday to talk with her about Dee, she asked if I remembered her. I told her I am awful with names, but I’m great with faces. The minute I saw a pic of her, I started to cry.

I remember distinctly meeting Dee and thinking what a sweetheart she was! She was one of “those” people I just wanted to be able to spend more time with.

This thread of love and support and the generous donations for Dee’s flowers have reminded me that we truly are a sisterhood (and we’ll throw a couple of brothers in there, too).

Yes, we have lost one of our own, but I’d like to think we now have our own special angel to watch over us.

Dr. Em

[Susan~Sporran]

I agree about having our own angel and I have to tell you one of the things that made me smile is the thought that up in heaven with those beautiful new wings our sweet Dee can now keep an eye on our favorite "obsession". When none of the rest of us know what he's doing, how he is doing, or where he is going, Dee will know. And maybe in those moments when he is feeling low, her angel wings will gently brush against his face, and suddenly he will feel as though someone has just whispered in his ear "you are loved and you are worthy - oh, and you're pretty hot too". That will be our Dee and she'll be speaking for all of the FANmily.

[Dr. Em]

I agree about having our own angel and I have to tell you one of the things that made me smile is the thought that up in heaven with those beautiful new wings our sweet Dee can now keep an eye on our favorite "obsession". When none of the rest of us know what he's doing, how he is doing, or where he is going, Dee will know. And maybe in those moments when he is feeling low, her angel wings will gently brush against his face, and suddenly he will feel as though someone has just whispered in his ear "you are loved and you are worthy - oh, and you're pretty hot too". That will be our Dee and she'll be speaking for all of the FANmily.

Oh Susan! Now I'm laughing through tears.

Thanks, I needed that!

Dr. Em

[marinak]

The Lord is my shepherd! I shall lack nothing,

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths rieghteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God bless you, Dee.

[Miklyn]

It saddens me to hear of Dee's passing. I wish I could have gotten a chance to meet her. I found this poem the year my dad passed away.

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning,

that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.

You did not go alone.

For part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,

Your love is still our guide.

And though we cannot see you,

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,

And nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us One by One,

The chain will link again.

God Bless you Dee

Miklyn

[touchmetrustme]

I agree about having our own angel and I have to tell you one of the things that made me smile is the thought that up in heaven with those beautiful new wings our sweet Dee can now keep an eye on our favorite "obsession". When none of the rest of us know what he's doing, how he is doing, or where he is going, Dee will know. And maybe in those moments when he is feeling low, her angel wings will gently brush against his face, and suddenly he will feel as though someone has just whispered in his ear "you are loved and you are worthy - oh, and you're pretty hot too". That will be our Dee and she'll be speaking for all of the FANmily.

Beautiful thoughts, Susan, I'm smiling through tears, too. Thanks for that. I hope, in the hereafter, we will be able to see what's going on down below and that Dee will indeed be able to do all of what you say - and that she is able to see this thread and know how much we loved her and will miss her.

Gentle hugs to all,

Libby

[calmwaters]

I'm so sorry to hear about Dee's passing. Through all of the posts in this thread it is apparent she was loved by many and very deserving of such adoration!

Susan....I loved the thoughts you expressed and could almost picture it in my mind! And so....she already has her hands full and is probably loving every minute of it! Buzzing from here to there checking on her personal family....her family here....and popping in on our G. to make sure he didn't miss that little spot in the middle of his back while in the shower.......

Hmmmm......I'm sure she's ginning from ear to ear now! :inlove:

Blessings to you all who knew her well and to her family who is grieving over loosing her. I hope that time is kind and they're time of suffering is short. She is at peace now and resting in the arms of the Father. A lamb called home.....

(((hugs)))

Linda

[~Shay~]

My condolences to her family and friends. May she be at peace.

[Vanessa]

I agree about having our own angel and I have to tell you one of the things that made me smile is the thought that up in heaven with those beautiful new wings our sweet Dee can now keep an eye on our favorite "obsession". When none of the rest of us know what he's doing, how he is doing, or where he is going, Dee will know. And maybe in those moments when he is feeling low, her angel wings will gently brush against his face, and suddenly he will feel as though someone has just whispered in his ear "you are loved and you are worthy - oh, and you're pretty hot too". That will be our Dee and she'll be speaking for all of the FANmily.

Oh Susan! Now I'm laughing through tears.

Thanks, I needed that!

Dr. Em

Dayna, I felt the same way when I read Susan's post. Thank you Susan, that really helps me deal with her passing. You really have a wonderful way of looking at things. I truly admire that . I have felt similarly about this whole thing, Dayna. I still keep getting teary eyed & I know Dee would not want us to mourn her death, she would want us to celebrate her life & especially her "2nd Childhood" she found with Gerry! I didn't know her very well, but from everything I have seen, I really believe that she would want that.

Vanessa

[discoveringme]

Susan - I love the imagery in what you wrote. Thank you so much for that. I love thinking of Dee being an angel for us all. You will indeed be missed, Dee.

Miklyn, I love the poem you posted as well. Thank you for including it here.

[Lady Yvonne]

"Sorrow comes to all. . .

Perfect relief is not possible.

Except with time. You can not[

now realize that you will ever

feel better . . . and yet . . .

You are sure to be happy again.

--- Abraham Lincoln ---

A message of sympathy, comfort and caring to help you through

this difficult time.

I never knew Dee, I wish I had. I know I would have loved her too. We are all connected through

His love.

Trust in the thought of a brighter tomorrow. You are never alone. He has promised.

God's Blessings,

Lady Yvonne <><