The passing of a c-brat and friend.

S

starcrafttom

Active member
It is with the upmost regret that I must inform our fellow c-brats that Dee Gonser of the knotty C has passed on. After a yearlong fight Dee succumbed to ALS. Don has asked that we pass on this news to all their friends here at the pub. Dee and Don were together surrounded by family and love when the time came. We will miss her.

It was only a year ago that Dee was diagnosed with ALS. Dee and Don did not sit back and let this disease rule their lives. They bought and converted a short school but with a lift for Dee's wheel chair to act as their new means of adventure. They even showed up at the Friday harbor gathering last year to visit and see the islands for what turned out to be the last time together. In the summer they took a cruise to alaska. Only this time on a cruise ship and not in thier 25 as they have several times in the pass. Don was able to find a helo with a wheel chair lift so Dee could go up on the glaciers with him. Dee and Don contuined to live life in a big way regardless of her ilness.

In September Don and Dee along with family and friends, their search and rescue team and more than a few c-brats participated in the Walk for the Cure for ALS in Vancouver. Not only did Dee’s team have the most people (and dogs) but Dee’s team also raised the most money for the cause. It was a wonderful day spent supporting an organization that helped support our friend Dee.

Susan and I ask that you keep Dee and Don in your thoughts and prayers today. Dee was a kind and wonderful person with a knack for life and laughter, she will be missed

Don_and_Dee_on_Nama_Bickie_Garrison.jpg
 
So sorry to hear the sad news. We have lost a marvelous friend. Her kindness and thoughtfulness will live on in our memory. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Don. With our love - El and Bill
 
Today I am both tear stricken and Joyfull. Today my very good Friend Dee Gonser passed today of Lou Gehrigs disease. With her amazing husband by her side. It was a long frustrating battle. Dee and Don showed such immense tenderness for each other, I was humbled.

I will miss her so much. I am going to really miss talking to her and hearing her perspective on life and kids, jokes and boating and politics. Our favorite subject would always come about and we would talk of the antics of our crazy husbands. I will miss her voice and her smile. We became such good friends Because of Dee. She was so open and kind and fun. She is one of those people you gravitate to because she has such great positive energy. We had lots of things in common to talk about. And for me that is so rare. We only had a short few years, but I am so grateful that we meet on the c-brats and spent summer outings together. Dee was so fun that it was enough. A fulfilling friendship. I know we will be just as close when we see each other again.

I am joyfull and excited about what GOD is revealing to her. I know we are only separated for a short celestial time. I am so looking forward to seeing her again in heaven. She can show me around up there. I look forward to seeing the things she has created around her in heaven and her new mansion as Jesus has a prepared a place for her.
John: 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you

I once read a passage in another book. A women was walking in a garden in heaven and she saw a rose bud. And it was beautiful to her. As she felt love towards it and it’s beauty It grew, multiplied and blossomed right before her eyes. With an amazing fragrance that was peaceful and comforting. That is where Dee is for me. And I look forward to seeing the garden she creates out of love for all of us friends. I can see her now sitting on the grass in the sun amongst a pile of loving dogs.

Love you Dee


PS Dee.....Tom and I plan to drag Don out for some more crazy boating. He'll have to tell you all about it.
 
It is a true blessing to have known Dee. She was always smiling and welcoming whenever we had a chance to get together. We cherish the friendship and enjoy all of the memories of the water/land adventures that we were able to share with her and Don. She will definitely be missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don and their family.

Amy & John
 
Carol and I just took a trip down memory lane by viewing the photo album of the "Canadian Gulf Islands 2008" cruise in which Dee and Don were a part of. Every photo of Dee in that album shows her signature broad smile. We are saddened to hear this news. Don, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
 
What a wonderful photo, Pat. Thank you for sharing.

We were looking forward to getting to know Dee this year....her spirit radiated so strongly, we were certain we'd have the chance to meet at the next gathering.

Your stories carry her on with us. And, We are certain that she will revel in escapades to come, Susan & Tom, and will be comforted to know that Don continues to enjoy these adventures and will delight to share with you all.
 
I wish I could take credit for that pic, but I can't, I just grabbed it out of the album and posted it, since that is the Dee I remember. I have one picture that I found on my SD card from our 2011 San Juan cruise that I will put up some time today.

Caiprianha":3gig93cn said:
What a wonderful photo, Pat. Thank you for sharing.

We were looking forward to getting to know Dee this year....her spirit radiated so strongly, we were certain we'd have the chance to meet at the next gathering.

Your stories carry her on with us. And, We are certain that she will revel in escapades to come, Susan & Tom, and will be comforted to know that Don continues to enjoy these adventures and will delight to share with you all.
Click to expand...
 
And that 2011 San Juan Island cruise, I think we took off right after the CBGT in Bellingham, just illustrates how the C-Brats you meet through this marvelous website, at CBGTs, and out on the water become your new best friends for life. I am SO glad we went down to Don and Dee's for their Fourth of July party and got to talk to her and give one last hug.
 
We are also sadden to hear of Dee's passing. We know she is in a far better place now. We met Dee and Don in 2006 and they inspired us with their travels. She was a kind and unique person. We will always hold her in our memories. Our hearts and love go out to Don and his family.

And to Susan and Tom; God sends angels into peoples lives for love and support, you two were chosen. How blessed Dee and Don are to have you in their lives. And how blessed we are to know you. Sending our love. Toni
 
Hoping we all get to meet her once again in that "Far Better Place". We are very sorry for our (all of us) loss and will keep her family in our thoughts.

Charlie and Sally
 
The last time I saw Dee was at the Friday Harbor Brat Gathering. I could tell that she was having a tough time. I felt so bad for her and I was glad that she had a good strong man like Don to stand by her with all the love and patience of a saint. I kissed her on the top of the head and said---I love you, she whispered back, I love you, too----

Joe
R-MATEY

Oh, dear Dee, I will miss your smile, your friendship, and everything else that made you such a wonderful caring person. You will always hold a special place in my heart :love
So many photos of you to chose from but this one is a favorite.
2007 SBS-CBC

Ruthie
R-MATEY
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Good by Dee
We will miss you

Some Time at Eve

Some time at eve when the tide is low,
I shall slip my mooring and sail away,
With no response to the friendly hail
Of kindred craft in the busy bay.
In the silent hush of the twilight pale,
When the night stoops down to embrace the day,
And the voices call in the waters’ flow-

Some time at eve when the tide is low,
I shall slip my mooring and sail away.
Through the purpling shadows that darkly trail
O’er the ebbing tide of the Unknown Sea,
I shall fare me away, with a dip of sail
And a ripple of waters to tell the tale
Of a lonely voyager, sailing away
To the Mystic Isles where at anchor lay
The crafts of those who have sailed before
O’er the Unknown Sea to the Unseen Shore.

A few who have watched me sail away
Will miss my craft from the busy bay;
Some friendly barks that were anchored near,
Some loving souls that my heart held dear,
In silent sorrow will drop a tear-

by Elizabeth Clark Hardy
 
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Dee. She was a great lady! Caryn and I feel a sort of kinship with both Don and Dee as we were both part of the class of 2005, along with Tom and Susan and many others. We attended our first C-Brat gathering at Lopez Island along with Dee and Don.

We were so fortunate to have been able to spend some time cruising the San Juans with Dee and Don, along with Pat and Patty, Jan & Stacy, Bill and El, and Gary and Vickie. We had a great time and those memories will last a lifetime.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Don. May you rest in peace sweet Dee.


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Peter & Caryn
C-Dancer
 
Thank all of you for your kind words and prayers for Dee and I and all of her family. Dee loved her family and friends. It is difficult to put into words my feelings right now. I can say that Dee was my hero.
The photo below is one of my favorites that I would like to share with you. It is Dee’s first glimpse of our daughter Deema on her wedding day in her dress. Dee’s smile lights up the room.
We are planning a memorial for Dee next Saturday, January 19th at 2 PM at the Battleground Baptist Church 1110 NW 6th Ave. Battleground, WA 98604. Donations can be made in her memory to the ALS Association of Southwest Washington.

Don
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Don, Patty and I will not be able to make it, we have had a standing commitment for the weekend to be in Omak with our daughter and granddaughter, who we don't see nearly often enough, but we will be thinking about you all.
 
Don and family, my prayers are with you all in your loss. Dee was a neat lady. She was the first C-Brat my wife and I talked to ... ever. It was at a Sequim Bay CBGT and we were in the parking lot above the dock, looking. She was on the way back down to the dock and we asked her about the boats and what was going on. Her infectious smile and warm invitation convinced us to go on down to the dock and look. The rest is history. At our first SBS event, we shared a table with Don and Dee at the factory supper. Just couldn't stop listening to all the great stories and great places they had been on their boat.

It is sad to loose a friend, but/and it is good to know there are friends who will gather around us in times of need. Don, we are all with you, and hope to see you at some of those crazy water parties with Tom and Susan, Pat and Patty and all the rest of the Brats.

:rose :rainbow :hug :hug2

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Don,
Kate and I have enjoyed you and Dee at various events over the past years. We have enjoyed the pictures of her that have been posted with her infectious smile. Our thoughts have been with you this past week.
 
Don, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Dee's infectious smile and your love of each other are favorite memories of gatherings at Friday Harbor, including last year when I noticed Susan and Ruth laughing with Dee on the dock even in the face of her medical diagnosis. You both have been wonderful examples of goodness and bravery. Thank you.
 
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