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Friday, June 1, 2018
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Tammy posted a condolence
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Hey, guess what? We are having a party on 10/27 and it's all about you!! Cuz it's your birthday :-) Of course, you already knew that. It was Danielle's idea! You already knew that too! She has grown into a fascinating young woman. Isn't Oliver the sweetest little baby? He has the greatest disposition and that smile is so contagious. Mike is a wonderful husband and father and so attentive to his family. JRad and I had some great discussions when I visited him in San Diego this last weekend. He is a great kid. KJ is doing well and seems to be adjusting to not having Cale, Harmony and Kaleb around. I know he misses all of them, but the relationship between Cale and KJ was not good. I think we all have to experience a bad relationship in our lifetime so we understand what a good relationship is when we finally find the right partner. RC is grand as always! We all love you very muchl Check in with us on the 27th if you can :-) Love ya!
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Tammy posted a condolence
Sunday, February 12, 2012
I can't believe it's been 4 years since we've seen you in the physical form. I felt you by my side this last week - it was a tough week - and I was glad to have you there. I felt the warmth and love you share. I miss you and love you so much!
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Danielle posted a condolence
Thursday, February 10, 2011
I come back each year and read this. We sure do miss you. love you- can't wait to see you on the other side and get one of those great grandma hugs! love you! xoxo
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Sarah Christensen posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I miss you! More than you can imagine! You were my rock, you held me together when times were tough and still never judged me.....i love you every day still for that. <3
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Tammy Crawford posted a condolence
Sunday, March 16, 2008
I thought I would post the notes my husband, Randy Crawford, read for me at mom's celebration of life on March 8, 2008.
When we were young we never had a lot of money, but I can remember my mom packing up picnic lunches and taking us to free cultural events throughout the community. I always enjoyed the Arts Festival along the River canal in Wichita Kansas. She was an excellent artist and I am sure she may have explored a career in art if she had not had 4 children to support. She always had a way of making the most of what she had, and she knew how to have a good time.
She use to always tell all of us - "you can do and be anything you want to be", and she mirrored that when she obtained her GED, enrolled in College and graduated from Wichita State University with her Associates Degree the same year I graduated from my High School in Kansas - 1975 - while holding down two part time jobs and raising four children - 3 of them being teenagers!
She continued to show her strength and dedication to her goals when she packed us all up in a broken down Dodge Dart and a U haul and made the trek to Washington State where she always wanted to live with the mountains on one side of her and the ocean on the other.
We truly looked like the hill billies coming from Kansas with a dog, cat, three kids and our belongings stuffed everywhere we could find a nook and cranny. We took our time getting here, visiting relatives along the way that thought she had no business taking off across country and why couldn't she just find a simple job here in Kansas and stay put.
Again, strength and determination was brought forth - and when we finally arrived in Washington she was informed the person who she was to replace as a Respiratory Therapist in one of the Kent Hospitals decided not to leave. There she was with no job, kids to support, in a city she wasn't familiar with. Most people would have given up, but that did not stop her - she found a part time Respiratory Therapist job at St. Peters Hospital which ended up being her lifetime employer.
And, as the obituary stated, she continued her education. Our saying for her is "From GED to PHD". She went further with her education and teachings when she started attending events at the Ramtha School of Enlightenment. She loved going to that school and I can remember seeing changes in her after every event. I know her strong belief of the teachings in the school is what kept her alive these last three years, when Physician's reported she was at the end stage of her disease in 2005 and she may want to prepare herself and her family. She always came back with "I am not going to die".
She coached and supported me when I was going through my own struggles as a young parent, schooling and working. When I shared a goal that I wanted to reach with her she gave me a card that quoted "Perseverance Sets Dreams in Flight". I have it framed on my desk and when I am working to obtain a new goal and things seem to get difficult along the way I refer back to it knowing that if I persevere all things can happen.
As I have been going through some of her financial information I found that, even on a limited Social Security Income, she was giving to others. I found where she had deductions taken out monthly for Mercy Corps and the Central Asian Institute which builds schools for women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Anyone who knew her, knew her as a strong female advocate.
We have a picture of her attending a Gloria Stienhem event at Wichita Sate University, and we also found a note from Gloria to her asking her to share the information from her Thesis project on self esteem for Welfare women.
She is smart as a whip and her wit and sense of humor were with her until the very end, even when she was on the ventilator the morning she passed. She was ready to get the show on the road, get that tube out and move on with life. I believe she truly thought it was just another day. Not once did I ever hear her say she was going to die.
In the end, we were all with her and told her it was ok to leave her sick body and we would find comfort knowing she was with Ramtha. I know that she is with us here today, and will continue to educate herself, and be with us - finding ways to show her love for us.
I am so proud of her and so grateful that I chose her to be my mother here on Earth. She has taught me so much and her legacy will live on throughout my life and those that follow through my own children. We love you Mom.
Thanks to all who have shared their memories of my mother, it has been wonderful to read them and brings comfort to me throughout this tough time. Tammy Crawford
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Abigail M. Haddock posted a condolence
Friday, March 7, 2008
Flora, seeing your smiling face in the halls of PSPH and the secret knowing acknowledgement we exchanged always brought a smile to my face. Although I did not get to that cup of coffee and meeting we were going to arrange, you were in my thoughts. I knew you as a supportive commrade in the marketplace and a fellow student in the great work. May you continue to shine on your journey and your orb is always welcome!
Love, Abby
T
The Four Muskateers Now minus ONE posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
God's speed on your new journey. Say hello to the BIG GUY for us.
See you on the other side.
O
Olympia Credit Union/Paula posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
She will be missed.....she was a favorite of the Lacey Branch. Our thoughts go out to her family.
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Sam posted a condolence
Monday, March 3, 2008
Flora, all I can say is, girl...YOU ROCK!!! And you always did.....you were one of the students at school who always really stood out in my mind as inspirational. I certainly couldn't carry on any pity party for myself if I looked upon you, which I am so glad I got to do many times at events. I can only imagine you are having a wonderful time where you are now, being an inspiration there as you are here. Bless you....
M
MC posted a condolence
Monday, March 3, 2008
Flora and I were a part of a spinning group that use to meet every week. Everytime we saw each other we promised we would take time to have a spinning day. Farewell sweet lady.
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GEJ posted a condolence
Monday, March 3, 2008
Flora, we had so much fun together...remember when we laughed until we cried? You are so fondly remembered. Fare thee well.
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Gloria Winnick posted a condolence
Sunday, March 2, 2008
It seems like I have known Flora all my life, but it has really only been the last 10 years. Every break of every event day that both of us were there, we worked at Charlie's place at the Ranch. When we were not there, we frequently saw each other out walking there. She has always been an inspiration to me. I always thought, if Flora can keep on going, I can also. When she was able, sometimes we would sit and talk for a while. We were both very interested in gardening. I still have a little nut tree that she gave me. It is doing just fine. She is already missed, not only by me, but by the hundreds of customers and friends who enjoyed her.
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Marian Clements posted a condolence
Saturday, March 1, 2008
I met Flora many years ago at an event at the Ramtha School of Enlightenment. We were already long time students of the Ram and unbeknownst to both of us, neighbors. It was a winning combination and we eventually began spending time together sharing our learnings from our teacher and exchanging lots of great stuff, ie cooking, gardening, music, books. Many times I was inspired by Flora to be greater and sometimes she allowed me to inspire her forward into the unknown. And we laughed a lot. Sometimes, when Flora was relating to me something of her past, perhaps a difficult time or a trying event, she would suddenly pause and add: But I had my Kids. I had four wonderful kids. I always was blessed to have my kids. I am so grateful for my kids. That was the theme of her reality, her kids and her grand kids. In the last few weeks of her life, I found it challanging to ride with Flora the extreme ups and downs of her illness. It was an opportunity for me to let go of human emotions and just be with her in a state of love and allowing. She was good at that and I learned from her. Now I miss her.
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Bruce A. Smith posted a condolence
Friday, February 29, 2008
In Memoriam, Flora Edmundson, a student of the Ram
Pink Sky and Red Wine
The last time I saw Flora, at the end of our visit in the rehabilitation unit of Panorama City a week or two before she passed, she exclaimed “It’s going pink - the sky is going pink.” Sure enough, the day’s sunset brought with it an alpine-glow that lit the clouds and cast a rosy pink across the sky.
Her exclamation was striking because Flora could hardly breathe. For those of us who have spent three days on Focus Beach and know something of the rigors of long thoughts, just imagine having to focus on every breath. In fact, Flora had to focus hard to both breathe in, and then again to breathe out. Every action was an effort, and Flora, in her tough, cranky ol’ manner, did so for months.
So, to hear her light-hearted delight about a pinky sunset was sweet. It was an even bigger treat knowing that a few minutes before she had shown her grumpy, unforgiving side to a nurse’s aide when she asked for her red wine.
That was Flora. Tough Broad and Sweetie-Pie. Judgmental and bitchy, yet insightful and compassionate. Flora was a real good mirror to me. Although I think I whined more.
I first met Flora in the mid-90s at St. Pete’s psych ward. I was the in-patient activity therapist, and Flora was a clinician in out-patient services. We never talked too much back then. We were just part of the half-dozen or so masters working One-South, floating through the charged atmosphere of schizophrenia, slashed wrists and administrators wondering where their souls had wandered once they had left clinical work. Flora, me, and the others were a quiet support to each other in all of that beautiful mishigas.
But I got to know Flora much better in the ten years-plus we worked at Charlie’s at the Ranch. Charlie’s crew is like family to each other, and I even married one of my co-workers. In the early days, Flora was the primary dishwasher, and I have heard her mantra: “NO slop, NO sharps!” ringing in my head many times in kitchens from here to New York. So it was natural for us to help Flora when her lung disease required her to tote oxygen bottles everywhere. Then, when her strength ebbed, I was part of the spontaneous group who took down her tent and packed her van. Last year, she was still attending events, but her health then required a heated RV with an accessible toilet. So I became one of her RV attendants.
She wanted to cook me a dinner to thank me for these services, but I never had the where-with-all to consummate the invitation.
So, I was pleased when Flora called a few weeks before Christmas and gave me another chance to connect. On the phone, she sounded weak, but when I actually saw her at Panorama City on Christmas Eve, she was a basket-case.
Lying on her side, her belly was profoundly distended. She only had the strength for a word or two between breaths.
“I guess I’m going to have to do all the talking,” I said.
She nodded and uttered a weak, “Yup.”
So, I told her Christmas stories, a couple jokes, and brought her up-to-date on my life’s happenings. She had a glass of red wine on her little bed-table, so I sipped between tales. It was Gawd-awful stuff.
“Flora, you gotta start drinking better wine,” I admonished.
“I like it,” she spit back.
For once, I didn’t take offence from a woman’s sting. That told me, without any effort, we were becoming friends.
At the end of our visit, she started piecing together half-sentences describing her thoughts on the attitudes that had put her in a hospital bed, like her anger. That’s when I realized I knew what I wanted from Flo - a communion on this level – what are our deepest attitudes, what are the ones that give us poverty, ill health and death. The Nittus-Grittus as the Big Guy says. And Flora looked like she was up for it, even if she was lying horribly still.
When her strength fully depleted again, I stood up to leave, and said, “Flora, you look like you’re in pretty rough shape. What do you think is going to happen?”
“I’m not going to die!” she barked. “I’ve come too far to let that happen.”
I gave her a little squeeze on her shoulder, smiled, and said, “So Be That! - I’ll see you soon.”
Three weeks later, Flora looked a little stronger. She was able to tell me that her health issues commenced, ironically, on an archery stand at a summer event. She had to be transported directly to St. Pete’s, and the prevailing opinion in medical circles was that Flora was having an acute reaction to long-term usage of prednisone, which had been helping her breathe. But six months of detoxification from the steroids had left her gasping for air, physically crumpled, and watching the alpine-glow show for a few minutes at the end of her day.
But I thought she was making a come-back. I think she thought so, as well. But it was not to be.
Death is very close to us these days. The veils between our world of the living and those who have passed seem to be at their thinnest, particularly for our community. Bruce Haney and Linda Goulx are gone, and I knew them fairly well. Linda was a fellow thespian and Bruce was my best man at my wedding to Ursula. Since the holidays, there have been several others, Carol Cobb, a fella named John Duncan and a young man’s suicide. Now, Flora.
Many other masters are hanging on to life by a fingernail; serious health issues abound in my life and in the lives of the folks around me. We are pressed to become Gods. To me, all are runners, and Flora is a major one. Imagine if we had started our attitude conversation a few years ago instead of at the 11th hour.
Enjoy your new journey, Flora, my sweet friend. Go with grace and courage, and of course with your trademark fierceness and determination. And thanks for being a friend, telling me in death not to tarry with my adventure into God-awakened consciousness.
And, Flora, when we meet again, this time I’m bringing the wine.
B
Bettye Johnson posted a condolence
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Flora was an inspiration not only to me, but to many others who
admired her tenacity and love for life. I am sure she is kicking up
her heels in joy on the other side.
D
Dan Kosenski posted a condolence
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I think about Flo everyday. I remember her when she first moved here with her children, bunched up in an apt. across the street form the hospital. Even though we had opposite shifts at the hospital, I became a very good friend of Flo. We often read the same books and then discussed them..Flo usually winning the discussionn with that contagious laugh! We went out a lot and listened to her fav. music...jazz., which then became one of my favorite sounds. She loved her kids very much and often we would have great detail discussions about their growth. What wonderful adults you turned out to be. right before she moved to Calif. to study her passion, she rented a little cabin on the bay down the road from me...we even learned more about each other and had great times discussing politics, food, gardening, kids, relationhships and on and on. I will miss you Flo more than yo0u may know.
I consider you of my best best friends ever...may you please think of me now? Someday our paths will cross again. I LOVE YOU!
A
Ann Edington posted a condolence
Friday, February 22, 2008
Beginning in 1992, I worked with Flora in mental health at Providence St. Peter Hospital. As our work assignments changed I continued to lunch with her monthly as often as possible until her recent hospitalization. I have always appreicated her gracious manner, compassion and her thoughtful discussions of the world around her. I will miss her lovely smile, her warmth and her wonderful friendship.
R
Rena Merithew posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I worked with your Mom/Flo, both in psych and when she was in RT I was in social work and our dept's were next to each other. Whether an RT or psych worker, Flo was so committed to what she was doing and yet fun to work with too. She loved her family so much as anyone her knew her was aware. Blessings to you as you keep her memory alive in your hearts.
J
Joyce Edmundson, Scott and Mary Jo Wilkison posted a condolence
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Hey kids...(or KEEDS as Dad said in his letters back home circa 1943) I thought I did this the other day--(sent a message that is) but as I just now checked I see that it did not "post" as I thought. So here goes again!
First of all, our condolences to you all. I visited Mom this afternoon and told her I would bring the obituary up to her and that we had been able to send "messages" on this website, and she was glad that we had. We "reminisced" together how Aunt Nell had been so young and full of life and had all her kids by the age of ....what, 22? or so? LA!! Bless her, that's all I can say! That is a job in and of itself. But then when I was reminded of all the schooling that she had persevered through--well, it's just an obvious testament to her iron-clad strength. I suspect not many people would have stuck it out and accomplished all that she did.
I enjoyed reading Aunt Nancy's message--yes I think we got in on some of the "cousin" time--but not as much as I know the 8 of you shared. I do remember playing "spoons" at Gr. Nell's house--and how A. Nell would always be at the table playing with us!
Mostly my memory of Aunt Nell is her (seemingly) always smiling face, a kind word, and the way she would throw back her head when she laughed. Jacque talked about how she and A. Nancy (and I'm sure A. Pat too) entertained the "boys" (as we still always called them) and how Mom must have surely appreciated that.
I remember the time when you all got to come to "our" lake (Cedar Bluffs) and how much she enjoyed it. I was a LITTLE jealous of the way I felt she "favored" Mitch and Larry--I just didn't "get it" back then--but I'm sure it was because of the relationship they had when the "boys" were little! (I understand it now!)
I noticed the article said she loved nature and gardening. They must have all gotten that from Grandma and Grandpa--funny how they all loved to garden! (and so do their kids...) What a legacy!
Well, before I'm accused of "rambling" I guess it's time to stop. I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Emily Dickinson, "Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all." I think it means that hope keeps singing it's song. Even if we can't always hear it, it's still being sung.
~~With Love--Mary Jo and Aunt Joyce
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Aunt Nancy posted a condolence
Friday, February 15, 2008
Jo, Tammy, J and Terry, this is very hard for me to do,but want to share a few things with you. She was my little Sister.Many many times we two fought off the Indians while having our little cap guns, cowboy hats and boots making sure the South 40 was secure. We always won of course. Also we had a little store and cafe. Got our furniture from the dump where the folks took their trash in a little ravine east of our house. Had fresh mud pies (made daily) and what ever else we could think of. Did not have many customers that I recall. Then we both got married and shared our 8 kids, sometimes Jacque and Mary Jo were with us, Larry and Mitch were too old to be in the baby group. Good times I think, hope you all do. When you moved we sort of lost contact for a number of years. The last 10 years or so we have had some wonderful phone conversations. I just talked to her for the last time 2 days before she died. I loved her and will miss her very much. I will keep you all lifted up to God in Prayer. Only He can give you the comfort and peace you need. You only need to ask Him.
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debby flory posted a condolence
Friday, February 15, 2008
tammy i am so very very sorry to hear about your mother , she was so special to me i wish with all my heart that i could of seen her one last time, i loved her so much and i love yall . i didnt get this message untill today. aunt nell is in heaven now with grandma . i love you and miss you/call 479-987-5836.
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Terry and Delaine Barnett posted a condolence
Thursday, February 14, 2008
JoNel,Tammy, Jay, and Terry,
I was very sorry to hear about Aunt Nell passing away. I have so many fond memories of her when we would all gather at Grandma's and she was always so full of laughter,love and life. She always made time for the younger kids and I remember her even setting at the " kids table " a couple of times and that made me feel really special.Our thoughts,prayers and love are with you all at this time and may you find comfort in the arms of the Lord.God Bless.
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Gus Sheley posted a condolence
Thursday, February 14, 2008
JoNel, Tammy,J Bird & Terry , I'm Sorry to hear about Aunt Nell Passing away. We had alot of good times when we were younger. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all , and may the Lord comfort you in this time of sorrow. Love You All .
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Walt and Jacque Marsh posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
We were so sad to hear of Aunt Nell's passing. I have just finished reading the obituary and thought it was really nice. I always remember her as laughing and joking and I thought the part about her loving to play games was so true! Mom always talked about how she and Aunt Nancy entertained Mitch and Larry for hours and hours. No doubt Mom really appreciated that!
JoNel, Tammy, Jay and Terry - our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and we hope you find peace and comfort soon.
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