Goofynina's Funeral Arrangements

[vandie]

Here are the posters that the family made with all of the photos of Susie's life and also the beautiful arrangement that Sluff/Sludge sent.
If you look in the middle of the second poster, you can see a photo of Bill and Susie. 

[rookiegirl]

Thank you for posting the pictures and thank you for representing our IHD family.  I know Susie would be very proud.

[petey]

Oh, my, that cross arrangement was gorgeous.  Sluff, you outdid yourself.

[vandie]

Vandie, Karol, Sam and Paris.  And the three girls after the rosary.

[Sluff]

Thank You Vandie girl.

Love ya

[okarol]

As sad as this day was, it was a blessing to spend the time with IHD family. Sam is such a great guy. Paris is a gem.
I am so glad you had your camera Vandie. It was so good to see you - you look incredible since your transplant!

If any of you have a chance to meet up with other IHD members - do it. It really makes a difference in your life.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Those are wonderful pitures.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
The cross/floral arrangement is beautiful Sluff.
It is still so hard to believe isn't it?, even with pictures.

[vandie]

Thank You Vandie girl.

Love ya

Right back at you, my friend.

xoxo

[Joe Paul]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Sluff the flowers were awsome. All the women looked wonderful 

[willieandwinnie]

Okarol and Vandie, thanks for posting the pictures.  Sluff, your choice of flowers were beautiful.

[cris]

OMG! Sluff, you really know Susie, with your flower cross, Susie surely adores that as her tiara. The ladies all look beautiful, who says they have (had) kidney problems? They just simply shine.

[del]

The pictures are fantastic!! Thanks for sharing.  You did a super job with the flowers Sluff. Thanks.  The church is very impressive.  She must have had so many family and friends. 

[Bajanne]

I am so touched by the IHD members' outpouring of love for our Goofynina.  Thank you so much, Sluff, Okarol, Vandie, Paris, Kitkatz - all of you who represented us in some way.  It made me feel just that bit nearer.  Thanks too for the pictures.  You guys look good together, as usual.
Sluff, Sulfa, Sludge, Fluffy - those flowers were befitting our Dame!
I am so touched with the fact that her family understands our connection to her, and appreciates it!    She belongs to all of us!

[kimcanada]

Very well said Bajanne, IHD has the most amazing people!   

[Bajanne]

BTW, am I the only person who thinks that Okarol and Vandie look like sisters? 

[Jill D.]

It was so great that the three of you were there to represent our love and friendship that we all have for Susie. Paris - amazing and wonderful that you traveled across the country to be there! I had some hope that I could be there since I was in Las Vegas this week for business. Unfortunately my schedule was very tight and it didn't work out. I was dissapointed to be that close and not be able to work it out. My thoughts and prayers were with Sam and all who love and miss Susie and will continue to be.

Thanks so much for the photos!

[paris]

Dear Family, What a privilege it was to be able to be with Karol and Vandie as we gathered to honor Susie.  As we pulled into the Chapel parking lot, I could see Karol. She was talking with Sluff, so I was able to talk with him for a moment. Then we went inside and there was Vandie. My husband stood back and watched. He said it was like three sisters coming together and couldn't believe I had not met Vandie in person before.  Later he told me that he now "gets it". He understands that the bonds that tie us are even stronger than blood. We know each other more than our relatives may know us.  It helped to put my arms around Sam.  His hugs are as big as Susie's.  It was wonderful meeting her Mother, sister (she is gorgeous!) and brother. This family is amazing. The love they have for each other is so apparent.  Her brother, John, has one of the friendliest faces I have ever seen. They all made us feel like we were part of their family and told us repeatedly that they realized that IHD was her family too.   The tiara was so perfect!  Her sister said they wanted to put the "Drama Queen" sash on her, but her mother thought that wasn't a good idea!  It was great to hear them share stories about her.  Sharing dinner with them was like sitting with your own family. 

Susie's funeral was lovely, peace filled, and comforting.  Music filled the beautiful space; Here I Am, Lord  - Amazing Grace - How Great Thou Art.   
 Then a solo: I am here, standing right beside you
                   I am here, do not be afraid.
All I could think about was how scared Susie was before surgery and how comforting those words were now.

The priest spoke of how we should live our lives; we should be humble and not look for material things
                                                                    we should share all that we have with others
                                                                    we should be kind to all we meet
                                                                    and we should be happy.        He said those 4 things were very true of Susie.  I think we all agree.
The soloist sang Ava Maria, the priest continued with prayers and then it was time for Holy Communion.   We were sitting in about the 12th row and I hadn't looked behind us until then.  There were at least 350 people there, maybe close to 400.  And that is not counting the IHD family that I could feel all around me.   Susie lived in a close, loving community and I think I know why What a Wonderful World was a favorite song. It was her life." Skies of blue, friends shaking hands, red roses, too".  She lived a couple of blocks from the church, in a lovely home that was filled with love.   After the service, Mary and Sam invited us to Sam's house, but it was time to head for San Francisco and also time for her family to be together in her home.  I am grateful that my husband accepted the fact that I felt compelled to be there.  (I am grateful for his flying benefits!)   

Yes, Vandie and Okarol look very much like they could be sisters.  I am so glad they were there. They are both so much fun and doesn't Vandie look great with that new kidney?!  We looked like the three muskateers--always together, always holding hands or linking arms, laughing at the same moments and then crying together. They are two wonderful ladies.

This is long and I am still catching up on rest. The red eye is harder than it use to be!! But, it was time I will always cherish.  Love you, Susie and I will see you again.

[Sluff]

Thanks for the wonderful recap Paris. 

[charee]

Thanks Paris and also thanks to Karol and Vandie for being there for us all

[vandie]

BTW, am I the only person who thinks that Okarol and Vandie look like sisters? 

Our okarol is beautiful.  That is a compliment to me if we look like sisters.   I will tell you that having only met Karol once or twice or three times before and Paris for the first time, it was like being with family.  I love these women.

Thank you Bajanne.     xoxo

[kidney4traci]

Thanks for sharing the pictures -  I love to see faces.  Sam's hair is longer than the last picture I saw of them, so I didn't recognize him.  You girls all look so healthy!! 

[okarol]

BTW, am I the only person who thinks that Okarol and Vandie look like sisters? 

Our okarol is beautiful.  That is a compliment to me if we look like sisters.   I will tell you that having only met Karol once before and Paris for the first time, it was like being with family.  I love these women.

Thank you Bajanne.     xoxo

I was feeling the same way, I am flattered to be considered Vandie's sister - HEY! She is my IHD sister! I guess that's what you can see!
Seeing Paris was great. I know she went through a great deal to get there in time. When Sam spotted her in the chapel he said "Ohh Paris" and gave her a big hug. Thank you for everything Paris.

[petey]

Paris, what a wonderful experience for you.  From what you wrote, I could tell that going to say good-bye to our Goofynina truly touched your soul.  Thank you for sharing the experience with us, and thank you for going to represent us.  The service sounds like it was beautiful -- so fitting for a beautiful lady.

[KICKSTART]

Paris..... thankyou for sharing that from the many of us that couldnt be there because of distance.

[MyssAnne]

We have some very special people here. I was so just thrilled that we had representation from our family here. Let me modify that.
ALL our people here are special, we are strong, loving, and compassionate people here. I am just so honored to be part of this family.