Single Pink Rose for AlaskaDeb

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  • KAK
    KAK Posts: 1,679
    edited January 2009

    Oh, I just sat & watched the video story on the Alaska TV station & cried my eyes out.  God bless John & their family.  We are all so lucky to have each other.

  • jezza
    jezza Posts: 698
    edited January 2009

    I have been on this site for a couple of years now and some posters really stand out. Alaska Deb was one of those.Her encouragement and sense of humour was amazing.

    Thankyou to the girls who posted the links to the video and the story....both very moving.

    Condolences to the family from Australia. I love the pink rose idea.

    jezza 

  • Marple
    Marple Posts: 19,143
    edited January 2009

    Eskimodoll,

    Thanks again for posting the link.  I just watched the news report about Deb, her family, her pink flowers and that amazing little flower shop. My husband watched it with me.  Thanks to Deb I am not suffering from dry eyes at the moment.  She has inspired us to be inspirational.  What a gift.

  • gsg
    gsg Posts: 3,386
    edited January 2009

    I LOVED the video....it was so GREAT hearing DEB crack up, seeing the wig from her av, but it also made me cry.  Her husband is a wonderful man...and I know her daughters must be very special to come from two very warm, fun-loving parents.  My heart aches for them and for her parents.  Such a loss.  Such a loss.  Today is going to be especially difficult.  I hope they are able to find some measure of comfort in each other as we do here.  So many Deb stories to tell.  What a legacy of love and laughter she has left for us all.

     I think I'll repost this in her other thread, so John sees my condolence in case he's not reading this thread.

  • wahine
    wahine Posts: 8,231
    edited January 2009

    Eskimo Doll, Thanks also for the link...boy I couldn't stop crying while I was watching it. It was a good piece. And it was amazing to get the pm from you....gals, this is my brothers stepdaughter that I mentioned earlier....who works for the tv staion that did the story! What a small world (I live in Alabama). I know Deb has touched ladies from all over the world, and now in passing, she is still touching even more people.

    John and girls, We are thinking of you today, knowing it will be a very hard day for all of you. I hope all the thoughts and prayers of all of us here will help sustain you through all of this. And that the bouquets of pink roses will show you how much we cared for your Deb. Sending you lots of love and (((HUGS))).

    Kathy

  • lini57
    lini57 Posts: 4
    edited January 2009

    Tears in  my eyes.  That's exactly what I had imagined that her laugh would sound like.  Pure JOY!!  Thank you John for sharing the video. 

    I've been listening to my Circle Girls Power Songs CD that Deb put together a couple of years back.  It is empowering and got through many a hard time.  Like Deb, it is a treasure. 

     lini57

  • VickiG
    VickiG Posts: 536
    edited January 2009

    What a wonderful job they did w/ that news piece ~ I wanted to reach out & give John a big hug.

  • neesie
    neesie Posts: 1,924
    edited January 2009

    Thank you for sharing the link with us, Peggy...........a beautiful piece indeed.  Special hugs for Debs entire family today.

    Denise

  • cmb35
    cmb35 Posts: 1,106
    edited January 2009

    lini - Deb's CD has never left my car CD player since the day I recieved it - the songs are strong, funny, beautiful and full of hope, just like Deb...

  • my3girls
    my3girls Posts: 3,766
    edited January 2009

    Thinking of Deb and her family today..............constantly...with love, gratitude and so much respect! They are truly wonderful models of compassion, love and dignity.

    Thank you for the links. I can't wait to leave work so that I can watch the video at home. It's blocked here. I was able to read the news story from the link Eskimo doll sent..thank you.

    xoxo

    Lisa

  • MomoB
    MomoB Posts: 68
    edited January 2009
     
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    Community remembers Soldotna woman for cancer outreach

    3: 04
    There was an outpouring of support Friday for one local woman who touched a lot of lives in this community -- and around the world. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    There was an outpouring of support Friday for one local woman who touched a lot of lives in this community -- and around the world. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Soldotna resident Debbie Clonan, who was diagnosed in November of 2005 with breast cancer, passed away last week. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Soldotna resident Debbie Clonan, who was diagnosed in November of 2005 with breast cancer, passed away last week. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    But it was never about cancer for Clonan -- or
    But it was never about cancer for Clonan -- or "Alaska Deb" as her hundreds of friends called her. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Clonan, her husband John, and their two kids moved to Alaska six years ago, where John was able to start a successful accounting business. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Clonan, her husband John, and their two kids moved to Alaska six years ago, where John was able to start a successful accounting business. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Clonan's service is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and when the Clonans step into Soldotna Bible Chapel they'll be greeted with about 200 pink roses. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
    Clonan's service is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and when the Clonans step into Soldotna Bible Chapel they'll be greeted with about 200 pink roses. (Scott Jensen/KTUU-TV)
     

    by Ted Land
    Friday, January 30, 2009

    SOLDOTNA, Alaska -- There was an outpouring of support Friday for one local woman who touched a lot of lives in this community -- and around the world.

    Soldotna resident Debbie Clonan, who was diagnosed in November of 2005 with breast cancer, passed away last week. After being diagnosed, Clonan turned to an online community for information, and support.

    But it was never about cancer for Clonan -- or "Alaska Deb" as her hundreds of friends called her.

    "It was about helping folks doing research, getting a cure, solving the problem, and not worrying about how it happened," Debbie's husband John said. 

    She was more a counselor than a patient until the day she could no longer log on. Clonan stopped posting messages in October, and then this past week a message came that she had passed away.

    And since her passing, an overwhelming response of gratitude and grief has come from all over the world.

    A local flower shop, Tammy's Flower's and Gifts, said they've received orders for Clonan's memorial from all around the world including Japan, the Bahamas and South Africa.

    Clonan, her husband John, and their two kids moved to Alaska six years ago, where John was able to start a successful accounting business.

    Clonan's service is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and when the Clonans step into Soldotna Bible Chapel they'll be greeted with about 200 pink roses -- each a friend of "Alaska Deb."

    The flower shop is still taking orders, and they have about 400 of the roses on hand.

    It won't be a surprise if they sell out.

    Contact Ted Land at tland@ktuu.com

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  • MomoB
    MomoB Posts: 68
    edited January 2009

    Hello all,

    I was trying to post the link to the story, but don't know how, sorry.

  • bee5467
    bee5467 Posts: 112
    edited January 2009

    What a wonderful tribute to Deb!  The reporter got it all SO right!  John, we're all thinking of you and your daughters especially strongly today, and I know that Deb will always be with you . . . She's right over your shoulder.  Love from Delaware, USA.

  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Posts: 1,140
    edited January 2009
    Ladies

    For those of you haven't yet discovered it, in the "Commemorating Loved Ones" Forum, there is a thread with the title "In Honor of Alaska Deb-an idea"....Our email campaign in tribute to her is in full swing.....We are emailing Obama, Daschle and Palin on Feb 14th.....Please check it out and spread the word. I wanted in some way to honor Deb and demanding a cure for Breast Cancer in her name after all these decades of "studies" was the only way I could think of........ So please check it out.

    Luv, hugs and prayers

    Deb

  • KLynn
    KLynn Posts: 1,407
    edited January 2009

    Thank you for posting  the video, I watched through tears, tears of saddness, but also tears of happiness that Deb had such a wonderful family and life..I say a pray today for the family on  this difficult day, a prayer for comfort and peace..What a wonderful tribute, she touched so many ...John  the girls, and her parents we are thinking of you ...God Bless you...KLynn

  • Bugs
    Bugs Posts: 1,719
    edited January 2009

    They did a wonderful job.  The roses look beautiful.  Prayers for John and the girls today.

    Bugs

  • DragonladyTina
    DragonladyTina Posts: 371
    edited January 2009

    What a beautiful video and tribute to our Deb. I wish I could reach through the screen and hug the whole family. It was great to hear her contagious laughter and I cried when I saw her "Native headdress" I will miss her humor so much.

    love you Deb, 

    Tina

  • BMD
    BMD Posts: 1,492
    edited January 2009

    They did do an amazing job with that news piece. I am so glad they added the clip with her laugh. The roses were beautiful and we got to see the the ladies we have all talked to when we ordered them.

    John-Thank you for allowing us into your home. May God be with you and your family today.

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Posts: 13,961
    edited January 2009
  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2009

    OMGosh... the tears... That story was incredible... I gotta stop crying..... WOW

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    I have been thinking about her service all day long.  Thankfully, those thoughts are intersperced with thoughts of the pic of Deb wearing her Glenda dress and the sound of her laugh.   Rest in peace, Deb.  John and girls, please come here every now and then to check in with us, because you are our family. 

  • jerseymaria
    jerseymaria Posts: 770
    edited January 2009

    please help ladies.  i'm unable to access the video.  it said i had to download adobe flash player and i clicked ok but it doesn't download.  my computer is dell vista...only 1 year old.  what do i do?

  • Marple
    Marple Posts: 19,143
    edited January 2009

    I saw the pic, what exactly IS a Glenda dress?

  • newvickie
    newvickie Posts: 3,939
    edited January 2009

    I can explain the Glenda dress...

    We used to have cyber parties on the weekends...we'd go to different locations and generally just act silly...we went to Alaska (remember...all in "cyber land")...to so many locations I can't remember them all.  One weekend we decided to go to OZ...we needed to speak to the Wizard...we needed answers.  Of course I had to jump in and be "Glenda the Good Witch"...it was a grand party. 

    Forward to Pinkstock 07...we decided that it would be fun...since we were actually having a party...to have a Glenda dress for everyone to wear.  I made the outfit...made the skirt for all to wear...lots of dancing in the fields in that skirt...lots of beautiful women...well Deb just had to sit in the porta potty with it LOL...just like Deb!  I still have the skirt.  Thinking maybe Deb's girls would like it. 

    I keep watching the video to hear that laugh...thank you John for sharing that wonderful laugh with us.  I know that laugh...I remember that laugh...I pray she is laughing now.  Free

    Love and hugs

    V

  • Marple
    Marple Posts: 19,143
    edited January 2009

    Thank you for sharing yet another "Deb" story Vickie.  It certainly looked very dressy for a visit to the port-a-potty.

  • Britt
    Britt Posts: 731
    edited January 2009

    Hi newvickie -

    That sounds like you ladies had so much fun! - although I never had the pleasure of reading or receiving a post from AlaskaDeb (I was dx on 11/24/08 and I understand by that time she was no longer able to post) she sounds as if she were an absolutely incredible woman.  And still is - I bet she is up there, still clad in her Glinda dress, laughing up a storm at all the commotion, but still delighted, and sending blessings to you all.

    Maria

  • ADK
    ADK Posts: 2,259
    edited January 2009

    Thank you so much for posting the link.  I just watched the video and though I am in tears, I thought it was wonderful.  My thoughts are with John and the girls today.  I will be saying prayers for Deb at mass this afternoon.

  • newvickie
    newvickie Posts: 3,939
    edited January 2009

    this was our beautiful CY playing in the Glenda dress...

    Photobucket

  • Jill_45
    Jill_45 Posts: 137
    edited January 2009

    God Bless you Deb and may you finally be at peace. Today is your day and we are all remembering you. My thoughts and prayers go out to Deb's family and to everyone who is fighting this disease. This site and the people on here are a blessing to us all going through breast cancer. You guys are AWESOME!!!!!!

    Big Hugs to everyone today and always.

    Jill.

  • nancyc57405
    nancyc57405 Posts: 39
    edited January 2009

     I haven't been a regular board visitor...live chat is more my speed, but I certainly was aware of AlaskaDeb. How could one NOT be with her funny avatar!

    The TV news story was so moving, and beautifully done. I've been visiting the boards since I heard in the chat room of Debs' death, so I've been aware of all the energy behind the roses and donations.

    I know that Deb and her family certainly appreciate the outpouring of love and support, and getting the word out to so many people about BCO. Way to go gang!

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