"We are all here for a spell; get all the good laughs you can." ~Will Rogers
Thursday, July 10, 2008
This is for you Gwen Haight
I'll miss you Gwen. Your gentle, kind spirit, your sense of humor, your honesty. I'm glad I had the chance to get to know you and work with you over the past several years. You were a gem. I wish you peace. With Love, K
from Chris G.- I quickly thought of the end of the year lunch when we were all having such a good time. I have several great pictures of the staff . I thought...I'll see if Gwen is in any of them, then ,oh my God, she wasn't there, of course, having just been diagnosed. Seems like she's was always with us in one capacity or another.
This is the same disease my dad had, so it's like going through it again. At least he had nine months to put his affairs in order and say his goodbyes. I feel so incredibly sad for her family. Grandkids who won't be able to spend time with her, a husband who won't grow old with her, and children who will no longer seek her council. And for her friends who will miss having steady Gwen at their side through their work day. She was always calm and straight forward, never one to mince words. I always admired that. We will all miss her very much and though they will never know it,so will the children who will not have the benefit of being one of her students.
from Georgia P. My thoughts and prays go out to the family. As a retired teacher at Sumpter, Gwen was always the one you wanted for your classroom. When she got a full time job, we all cheered because she was so deserving of the job. I remember in the fall, she would invite the families over to the farm to pick apples and enjoy some cider. The smiles on the childrens' faces was all she needed at the end of the day. We will all miss the soft voice and positive attitude of Gwen.
from Kelly G-M I enjoyed having the opportunity to work with Gwen at Sumpter. She was one of the warmest and sincerest people I've known. I appreciated her sense of humor. Her smile and laugh was infectious! She will be missed!
There are some people we meet in this world who warm our soul just by observing them in their day to day interactions with the human element. Gwen was one of those people who keenly understood the value of the people who entered her life. She respected all creatures great and small and celebrated joyfully the successes of her family, students, and colleagues. In so doing she was a magnet for developing many positive friendships through the years. Emily Dickinson once wrote "My friends are my estate". Gwen's estate was huge.
I am sure there are many that are reeling from the rapid deterioration of her condition. How could I speak to her on June 12th when she was so upbeat and have her whisked away from all of us in such a short period of time? Through the tears of loss just yesterday I envisioned so clearly Gwen walking away from me accompanied by a child on each side of her holding her welcoming hands. This is how I choose to remember her.
There is no doubt in my mind that my life has been enriched as a result of being able to call Gwen my friend. In the days, weeks, and months to come I will hold her family in my most positive thoughts and prayers.
I've been missing you Gwen. I keep thinking about what you'd say about current school happenings, your new class, and what I could do for you with a "jam reward" for my efforts. I know I'm not alone.
6 comments:
from Chris G.-
I quickly thought of the end of the year lunch when we were all having such a good time. I have several great pictures of the staff . I thought...I'll see if Gwen is in any of them, then ,oh my God, she wasn't there, of course, having just been diagnosed. Seems like she's was always with us in one capacity or another.
This is the same disease my dad had, so it's like going through it again. At least he had nine months to put his affairs in order and say his goodbyes. I feel so incredibly sad for her family. Grandkids who won't be able to spend time with her, a husband who won't grow old with her, and children who will no longer seek her council. And for her friends who will miss having steady Gwen at their side through their work day. She was always calm and straight forward, never one to mince words. I always admired that. We will all miss her very much and though they will never know it,so will the children who will not have the benefit of being one of her students.
from Georgia P.
My thoughts and prays go out to the family.
As a retired teacher at Sumpter, Gwen was always the one you wanted for your classroom.
When she got a full time job, we all cheered because she was so deserving of the job.
I remember in the fall, she would invite the families over to the farm to pick apples and enjoy some cider. The smiles on the childrens' faces was all she needed at the end of the day.
We will all miss the soft voice and positive attitude of Gwen.
from Kelly G-M
I enjoyed having the opportunity to work with Gwen at Sumpter. She was one of the warmest and sincerest people I've known. I appreciated her sense of humor. Her smile and laugh was infectious! She will be missed!
Teri Jo Shields said...
There are some people we meet in this world who warm our soul just by observing them in their day to day interactions with the human element. Gwen was one of those people who keenly understood the value of the people who entered her life. She respected all creatures great and small and celebrated joyfully the successes of her family, students, and colleagues. In so doing she was a magnet for developing many positive friendships through the years. Emily Dickinson once wrote "My friends are my estate". Gwen's estate was huge.
I am sure there are many that are reeling from the rapid deterioration of her condition. How could I speak to her on June 12th when she was so upbeat and have her whisked away from all of us in such a short period of time? Through the tears of loss just yesterday I envisioned so clearly Gwen walking away from me accompanied by a child on each side of her holding her welcoming hands. This is how I choose to remember her.
There is no doubt in my mind that my life has been enriched as a result of being able to call Gwen my friend. In the days, weeks, and months to come I will hold her family in my most positive thoughts and prayers.
Correction:
Gwen's memorial will be at
Keizer Church of Christ,
5405 Ridge Drive in Keizer.
6 PM, Thursday, July 17
I've been missing you Gwen. I keep thinking about what you'd say about current school happenings, your new class, and what I could do for you with a "jam reward" for my efforts. I know I'm not alone.
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