In Loving Memory of
Dave & Shannon
Wind River Co-Founders
Cinda Cleckley-Parker, Charlotte, NC (August 27, 2010) (Cinda here with Shannon)
Cinda was a gifted woman in the art of helping others see their potential for goodness, and also embrace their imperfections. At least this is what I learned from this woman over our two year friendship.
Close to God, she walked a path of commitment, even during the most trying of circumstances. She will be missed by many friends and family members, including her Wind River family!!!
Karen Carpenter, Columbus, Ohio (July 14, 2010) - Karen is on the rightAn extraordinary woman that shared her commitment to finding inner peace and truly living "in the moment" with all that cam in contact with her. Her ability to teach others through leading by example was a true gift. Karen had a wonderful impact on others at the retreat, as they stayed in touch with one another and helped ground each other during difficult as well as good times.
One Retreat friend said this of Karen, “The little time we spent at the retreat surpassed the normal years it takes to develop a strong friendship & what I got was time with a dear, dear soul. You inspire me.” You will not be forgotten my friend..._________________________________________________
Yaufung Olivia Chang,Planto, Texas (July 2, 2010)
Olivia was a bright, light-hearted woman who made EVERYONE laugh! Cooking one night, her timing was perfect when she exclaimed, "don't let (cancer) rip off your happiness!" Everyone got it immediately and nobody could stop laughing.
Olivia was too young at 47 --- but I know she made every moment count for her daughters, husband and friends!!!
_________________________________________________Leslie Dauphine Brown, Charlotte, NC (African American woman on the left)Pure JOY! If we could have bottled Leslie's infectious laugh and ability to make people smile it would sell for a million dollars a jar. But most of all, Leslie was a woman of Faith. She was about helping others and doing what was right. Last summer she had the opportunity to perform mission work in Eqypt - her first time out of the country, and it was again, to help others.
I know Leslie is greatly missed by her Wind River friends as well as all the people she has touched with her smile and big heart. Leslie returned to God June, 17 2010._________________________________________________Lisa Long, Apex, NCJanuary 7, 2010 is when Lisa returned Home. A wife, mother and grandmother who faced cancer head on for over 14 years, she is someone who gave everything she had to give to her friends and family.
Last summer she wrote a beautiful poem called The Merry Go Round of Life. Here is a quote from that piece:
"That is what our life is...being who we are called to be, caring for others, reaching out to those we hardly know, being MINDFUL of the present moment." (Lisa, Summer 2009)
Much love goes out to her family and loved ones._________________________________________________
Susan Porter,Charlotte, NC, (on the left)
In late August 2009 Susan lost her two year battle to a brain tumor. She was artistic and creative ... definitely a free spirit of the 70's. We will miss her humor and curiosity!
Sonia Santos, Charlotte, NC (on the right)
On March 27, 2009, we lost one of our three musketeers ... A loving mother, a good friend and a US Army Veteran, Sonia had this rye smile that made you feel she was mischievously up to something (and usually was). She and Samantha would stay up late every night in their PJs and talk the night away!!! Quoting Sonia,
'May God Bless you in a million ways ....' con amor, Sonia
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Susan Jones Mize, Fort Mill, SC (Susan is on the left)
What a burst of energy and adventure! Give her a pair of sneakers and Susan would leap into action, exploring our back trails and wooded areas. Susan lost her battle to small intestine cancer in July 2009 (Susan is on the left). Susan's love of the outdoors and her family will be missed by many.
Yvonne Jackson, Covington, Ga (Yvonne is in Red on the Right)
Yvonne fought a long and feisty battle with Breast Cancer until May 2009. I remember her reflection after the retreat ... "I came in and felt the warmth of you and Dave and heard the wind chimes and KNEW God was in this place." Her exuberance will be missed my many but she is in Heaven for sure!
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Echo Moore, Bowling Green, Ky
I would like to share a beautiful story with a difficult ending.
This summer we were honored to be called to Bowling Green,
Kentucky to the side of our friend (and alum) Echo Moore, and become part of this woman’s beautiful approach to her transition from this earth. Echo fought metastatic breast cancer for 9 years and passed away a week after her 38th birthday.
It was a Sunday when we received the call from her brother Devon that time was very short and Echo wanted to see the people who had been important to her to share in this part of her journey. We quickly packed and made the seven hour drive to arrive at her bedside that evening. When we arrived she was smiling…
It would have been easy for her to have withdrawn. The pain was, at times, intense, but instead she chose to minimized her use of pain medication so that she could remain “present” and share the love and appreciation in her heart with those that had been important in her life. As she put it, “I am just so thankful for all that others have given me in this life … and I want to thank them each personally”.
Each day she had me walk her through several guided meditations to help relieve the physical pain. Her courage was incredible, but not surprising. Echo’s life profession was as a psychiatrist. In her dedication to help others find “peace of mind”, it seemed fitting that before we left, she smiled and said, “Shannon, I have found my Joy … I am at Peace.”
Thank you Echo for showing us what a heart overflowing with Love looks like … Shannon
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Maria Alvarez - una mujer hermosa con un gran corazón (Raleigh, NC)
Maria shared with us her heart through her smile.
In a note to us, she thanked us for "the beautiful god-like weekend and said she was going to that this experience and keep it in her heart forever. "
In March 2009 we lost Maria to breast cancer BUT she is in our heart forever!!!
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Devon Currie, Alpheretta, Ga
It is always devastating to lose a friend or loved one to cancer, but to experience it through the eyes of a young, gentle giant like Devon Currie is even harder.Devon returned to the Kingdom above on December 13, 2008 at the age of 20.
As seen in the picture here with another resilient participant (Annabelle is doing well with her family in Michigan last we spoke), you can almost feel his passion and huge heart leap off the page. Missed by many, but none more than his loving parents David and Mary, our hearts are with you.
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The Amazing Grace of Kelly Kilpatrick, Dandridge, Tn
On November 13, 2008 a beautiful angel from our first retreat passed from this earth to a finer place above. She was in incredible teacher of how to live each day to the fullest!
Her grace and joy were truly infectious and she is already missed by many. But she is also still here, in all the good deeds and moments of laughter she gave to all of us!!!
"Your beautiful and inspirational setting is second only to your gracious friendship and hospitality.Your retreat facilitates immense feelings of joy, love and connection.I connected with ‘like-others’, an invaluable gift, and I connected with myself, the ultimate spiritual experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
-Love always,KellyKilpatrick, September 2007
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Sam I AM - Samantha Gray Steffen, Winston-Salem, NC
(Sam is on the far right with her two wonderful musketeers, Misha is still fighting their battle with cancer).
Samantha, who passed on September 21, 2008, was and IS a shining star... we are privileged to have known her and to have enjoyed her wonderful english sense of humor. When we visited her we were told "Elvis" had been in the building to see her! Her comment when asked if she liked elvis: "do you know any Elton John?"
"Mustn't grumble" Sam would say... we promise you Sam, we won't.
We would like to offer a special thank you to those visiting our site on behalf of Samantha Gray Steffen.
"From the moment I walked into your home, I was met with hugs, big smiles, and caring support. I am SO glad I came to Wind River. You helped me focus on the things to be thankful for and enjoy life to the fullest. Thank you for being my two Angels."
- Samantha Gray Steffen, June 2008
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Susan Bello, Durham, NC
" My name is Carla and I was a good friend of Susan Bello. The last time I saw her on June 29th, she had just returned from your Retreat and was glowing with enthusiasm and joy.
The sad news is that she died VERY UNEXPECTEDLY on Saturday, July 5th, 2008. The cause was given as acute leukemia.
I wanted to share what an amazing impact your Retreat had on her ...
On June 29th we met for lunch and when I arrived, Susan looked more radiant and glowing and healthy than I had ever seen her. She was just beaming. She was full of stories and enthusiasm about her experience at the Wind River Retreat, the people she met there, and the intimacy and kindness that they shared. I looked at her and realized that she had changed in some way. She was not struggling so hard, she had a softened look about her, and she exuded an air of hopeful acceptance. Her last words to me were, "Carla, I realize now how lucky I am. I am so very, very lucky."
Each of us has our own speculation as to why the universe saw fit for Susan to have this opportunity just days before her untimely death. But what all of us can know is that her retreat experience was a wonderful gift, and one that she would keep." -- Carla
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