Forum Memorial for Stephers1 Please Attend

So often when we hear that one of us passes, those who knew that person best are left to mourn alone with a few condolences from some on here.  If we were all a group of friends living near each other we would have attended a service for Stephanie, out of respect for her and to support those who were closer to her.  It has broken my heart that Becky is so sad and I am sure there are others of you who were close to Stephanie and you should know that your friends are here for you.  So, I would like to have this service for Steph and even if you didn't know her you can come and sign the "guestbook".  I also would like to send this to Stephanies sister Chandra when we have all posted.  If any of you who knew her well need to talk more please feel free to email me.

[Jan214]

I didn't know Stephanie well so I feel funny starting this, so I will just say that we often don't want to talk about our lost love one because it is just to painful, but I think the poem below gives a much better view of this.

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

By Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

[ireneo]

I'm new to this forum and so missed the opportunity to know Stephanie. It sounds like she was a jewel, a treasure as a person, wife and friend. It's comforting to know the world still has good and loving people in it. She's obviously shared that care and concern with the people here and now our job is to pass that along. I've been sharing some of my favorite quotes lately. These are some that I keep by my computer and they help me get by. Here's one for her for a job well done:

Life has no meaning except for the impact you have on other people.

[hopeshell]

In memory of Stephanie who is now in a better place:


NO TEARS PAST THE GATE

Someone new has entered
our eternal home above.
The heavenly gate has opened wide
to welcome the one you love.
We cannot help the tears that fall-
our hearts need time to grieve
when earthly life has ended
and a loved one has to leave.
Yet even in the saddest time,
we know our Savior lives,
and we can trust completely
in the promise that he gives.
That in a glad reunion with the Lord,
our loved ones wait
to welcome us in joy
with no more tears
beyond the gate!

~ Author Unknown ~

To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded.

By:  Ralph Waldo Emerson

[rootietootie]

I knew Stephanie only from the medhelp forum, but from the beginning I felt drawn to her.  She had so many problems going on but through it all she maintained such grace and optimism.  She had a true winner spirit which shined through her words.  Even though things were bad she still went camping and carried on her life.  She is a true idol and should serve as a role model to all of us.  Stephanie would also make posts to others having similar problems and try to help them and give them information.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and think what a tragedy it was that she was taken from us so young.  But if you live your life and touch only one person you are lucky, in Stephanie's case, she touched sooo many of us here.  She will always be remembered.   Shannon

[baguba]

What a wonderfully thoughtful thing to do.  Thank you, Jan

I, too , knew Stephanie only through this forum.  I have no wise, poetic nor prophetic words to offer; simply prayers to her family and gratitude that she is at peace.  She is our angel!

God Bless

[crecco]

  Although I did not know Stephanie, my heart goes out to her family for their loss. My prayers are with you. May she rest in peace.


          God looked around his Garden and found an empty place,
           He then looked down upon His earth and saw your loving face.

           He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest,
           His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.

           He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain,
           And knew that you would never get well on earth again.

           He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
           He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.

           When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
           We could not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.

           You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
           You live on through your family, you're always by our side.

           It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone,
           For part of us went with you, on the day God called you home.

                                                           Author: Unknown

[Tybear]

This is such a thoughtful, sweet thing to do to honor Steph, the way she should be honored. I didn't know Steph all that well, but we seemed to connect right from the start. I guess we reached out because of our stent issues, and it turned into a cyber friendship that I am so sad to have lost. As I said before, Steph made and sold bracelets and gave the money raised to Ovarian Cancer Canada. They are beautful...so pretty. I stare at mine now and can't believe that she is no longer here. My sister and I are going to attempt to continue on her fundraising, by making similar bracelets of our own. Steph started a wonderful thing and I know she would want all of us, in our own way, to continue to raise money and awareness for Ovarian Cancer. She touched all of us here in some way or another, and I for one will be forever changed for having "known" her. She is our angel now ladies, and I know she would want all of us to continue the fight...
Becky

[PF_PVD]

I didn't know Stephanie, but I am so sad to hear of the loss of anyone's sister, mother, aunt, daughter, or friend to this horrible disease.  My heart goes out to those who loved her.

[NY_Princess]

Though I didn't have the chance to know Stephanie since I am new to this forum, my heart goes out to her family and friends, I personally know what it's like to lose a loved one too soon, I lost my husband in May...it's difficult but something that makes us all stronger in the end. From what I have read, she was a very special person, I wish I could have known her. God bless...
Hillary

[silver&gold]

I didn,t know Stephanie but can see from others that she was a couragous woman with a strong and caring spirit . I send my sincere condolances to her family and all who knew and loved her .
      Angie

[lillmisstn]

God saw that she was suffering, and no longer let it be,
So he put his arms around her and whispered "Come with me"

With tear filled eyes, we watched her suffer and fade away,
Although we loved her deeply, we could not make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, her hard working hands put to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us - He only takes the best .......

Author Unknown

I did not get the opportunity to knw Stephanie myself, but I can see by the out pouring of grief here that she was loved dearly. My heart and prayers go out to her family during this time .....

God Bless You All

Mitzi

[Helmar]

Like some of the other ladies here, I exchanged posts with Steph on the odd occasion, and always found her to be very caring and helpful. I lost my eldest son not so long ago...aged 27, so I can feel for her family and friends, and know what they are going through. It's not easy to lose one so young, and we ask why? We can only trust that our loved ones are in a better place.
My sincere condolences go to Steph's family and friends. To know her, was to love her, and that love will never die. Blessings to everyone here.  hugs...Helen...

[Danimatt]

I did not know Stepanie but am very sorry to hear of her passing. I have gone back and read her posts and am touched by her spirit and courage.  My sincere condolences to Steph's family and friends - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[butterflytc]

May your family and friends find the peace and comfort of knowing Steph is now safe in God's arms, and remember in your hearts, she would not want you to suffer the sadness of her loss. Grieve for her, and then, let her fly away. Allow all the wonderful  memories you have shared, replace the sadness you feel right now.~God Bless

[Brownie3321]

I didn't know Stephanie very well, but I feel a special bond with the ovca sisters. She was one of us, and she will be missed greatly. I know she is reading this from a better place. A place where there is no pain, a place that is beautiful, peaceful, and calm. I imagine her smiling :) My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Thank you for bringing such a wonderful woman to this world, may peace be with you.

[Anna-maria74]

May you finally know some piece Stephanie, you will be greatly missed.

Anna X

[vegas2cr]

To my friend Steph.... must attribute this to Celine Dion.

Fly Fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud the whitest day
Upon the wind of heaveans gate
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain and FLY AGAIN

Rest in peace my friend.  Ronni

[TGinKY]

I didn't really know Stephanie well - just from reading some of her posts.  As I was thinking of what to say here it suddenly came to me that she was like a pebble that, when she was "thrown" in to this horrible disease, didn't allow herself just to sink, but rather created many, many positive ripples. Those ripples are the positive impact she had not only on the people on this forum, and through her work with the bracelets she made, but surely with her family and friends as well.  She didn't allow herself to become angry or bitter but rather found positive ways to affect other people.  Wow!  The measure of a life is not the number of years it existed, but the number of "ripples" that life created.  By those standards, Stephanie's life was not a waste, but was a full and complete life (moreso than some which last much longer in years).  My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.    Teresa

[lvfrogs]

I didn't know Stephanie but reading these posts, it sounds like she was a wonderful woman, someone we can all look up to.  I will keep her family and everyone on here in my prayers.
Colleen

[katems]

I went to church this morning and one thing the priest said has really stuck in my mind.
He was talking about family life and about life in general. He said that however long or short a
person's life was, they could rest assured that no-one reaches the end of that life unless they are
where God wants them to be.

I found this a really comforting thought and hope that it may comfort Stephanie's family and others on this forum.

with love and prayers for all of us

Kate

[chelan3]

I didn't know Stephanie but I did read her posts and saw how supportive and wonderful a person she was here.  Stephanie and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.  

Debbie

[cirella]

Hi, I remember Stephanie's posts from a year or so ago.  Since then, I've met some really wonderful women here.  In the last couple of months we've lost 2 to this horrid disease and several have been dx.  Each time my heart drops a little.  

To Stephanie's family, I'm so sorry for your loss.  May you find comfort in God's peace.

Lori

[makingpeace]

Wishing Steph's family healing and comfort in the new year

[makingpeace]

bumping to top of forum

[hatgal]

God Bless Stephanie and her loved ones in this time of grief ....... I can only imagine!  My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to them!!!    Elizabeth

[Jan214]

I hope Stephanie's family gets back on this site but they probably won't.  I am sure it is to painful.  I would have liked to send the link for this memorial to them, but Steph never put anything in her profile so we can't email this to them.  
I have been BEGGING everyone to put SOMETHING in their profile so that your name turns blue.  Than we can email you.  If your name is in black no one on here can contact you.
I understand people want to keep their privacy, but PLEASE put SOMETHING, ANYTHING in your profile.

[stephers1]

This is Chandra, Steph's sister...thank you for prayers, thoughts, and poems.  I keep checking medhelp everyday cause that is what Steph did...I will pass this on to my family.

[Jan214]

I am glad you were able to get on.  Steph was part of a community here and even those that did not know her very well have been touched by this.  She was one of us and that is all that mattered.  I am so very sorry for your family's loss.  I hope that you have a treasure trove of memories of Stephanie and as long as you tell people about her, she will live in your stories.  
I will pray that God gives you the peace and comfort you need.
Jan

[Kimchi]

I spent the whole day going back looking for Stephers1 last posting and it was just a few weeks ago..I, too, have been in a state of shock over this news and can't believe this disease took her so quickly. It's so sad, she was too young and fought every step of the way.
Stephers1, please watch over us.