Donna

[Jan214]

It is with a very heavy heart that I bring this news to you.  Donna passed away at 4 AM this morning.  Johnny called very early and I know I should have posted this earlier, but there were several people Donna wanted me to call personally and I could not go against those wishes.  I am sorry for those of you who have not returned my phone calls but I tried desperately to get ahold of you by every means available & I didn't feel that I could withhold this information from the rest of the forum any longer.  It has been 12 hours or so since he called.  Donna passed away quietly in her sleep with Johnny by her side.  She is finally at peace and although they never allowed her to be in pain, I know she was very fearful at the end.  We all like to think that we go quietly in our sleep, but that is not how it always is.  At the end I know she fought to cling to life.  She is most definitely in a better, more peaceful, pain free place now.
I know none of you will be able to make it, but Cory and I will be going down tomorrow afternoon, the visitation will be tomorrow night and we will stay overnight for the funeral on Saturday. The videos they do now will be on a website and I will get that to you after the funeral.  Her obituary will be in the paper tomorrow and I will send you that link in the morning.
After much consideration, I have decided not to do flowers.  If any of you feel so compelled, I can give you the number of a florist down there, but I think donations to ovarian cancer research or perhaps a small scholarship to a photography school in Memphis would better honor Donna, but that is an individual choice.  Besides, Donna was allergic to flowers so.  That sounds stupid doesn't it?  I am all over the place & I am sorry.  If any of you would like to participate in something like a small scholarship than I will let you know what I can set up.  RIght now I can't think anymore and that doesn't have to be decided today.  Donna loved you all and this forum meant more to her than you can ever know.  It was her lifeline to the world, and it made her feel like she was not alone.  I know that she expects you all to keep fighting and win.  Towards the end she realized that she should have fought harder, but by than it was to late.  Don't let that happen to you.  If you are all agreeable I will print out whatever prayers and comments you all make and take it to her family tomorrow.
With much sadness, sorrow, and joy that she is in God's loving embrace,
Jan  

[milashka]

OMG I didn't know...it's bad to return here after a long absence. I am at work and crying reading this. A chemo-buddy of mine also lost her fight a week before Donna so it hits home. We are losing too many good women...So sad.

[crecco]

Donna,
  You were loved more than you could ever know, and you touched the hearts of all that met you. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.
  You are home now.
  My dear friend, I promise you that I will continue this fight, just as you did. Who knows whether I will win or lose. But I will never give up, in honor of you.
  Yes we will meet again one day, all of us. Until then, I feel safe knowing an angel like you is watching down on us all, and I know if I look, you will be the brightest star in the heavens.
   Rest in peace our lovely ms jazz and thank you for letting us all be a part of your life.
      Love Chris

[Knotmeg]

Donna....
My heart will never forget you.  I can't believe you're gone....
Love, Meg

[CaydensMommy]

I am sending my deepest sympathies and prayers to Donna's husband and family. I was so sorry to hear this news.
May Donna's family be comforted during this time,

Glenda

[jlock]

I am so sorry to hear this news...may God hold her and her family in his palm right now and give them the strength needed on this very sad day.  My condolences to her family~~~Joanne

[msjazz]

Well ladies, I made it.  The angels you prayed for surrounded me with love and light and carried me home.  I am so much better than I was and it is more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine, just as He promised. Please take care of yourselves and each other. I know I will see you again, but I want you to continue to fight and I want you to win.

Lv
D

[Mid]

My deepest sympathy to Donna's husband and family.



Be at peace Donna.

Mid

[Hindat]

I am sad to get this news but I will take comfort knowing that you are at peace now.  When I think of you I will think of you sitting in a pretty meadow surrounded by flowers and all the animals you loved to watch with a big smile on your face.

Linda

[ChrisP2236]

I am so very sad to hear this for Donna's family.  My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort at this time are with them.  Chris P

[Cindy]

We are so very sorry to hear about Donna.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Donna's family and all those who loved her and whose lives she touched.  We hope that a cure for this terrible disease is found very soon.

Cindy Thompson
MedHelp

[Teresa222]

Of course, this news saddens me.  But, Donna is in a better place, free of pain now. I will miss her so much.
Teresa

[kipland]

I only corresponded with Donna a couple of times, but followed the posts with updates of her.  While I am glad that she is no longer suffering and is at peace, I am so very sorry for the rest of her family.  That's what she told me in her post to me too - that she hated what this disease did to her loved ones.
So for Donna, rest in peace my friend.  It's obvious that you touched many, many lives.  For the rest of the family, I will keep you in my prayers.
~ Lori

[vallieanne]

Donna,
Thank you for being such a kind and gracious woman, for sharing you love of all things bright and beautiful with us, and for giving us so much love and friendship.

I am sending my deepest sympathies to Johnny and her family, may God Bless and give you strength and peace.
Love,
Valerie

[Angie_Lou]

My deepest sympathy to Donna's husband and family.  I hope that knowing she is at peace will give you some comfort during this time.

Sincerely, Angie

[butterflytc]

   Donna,
     Though you are no longer with us here on earth, I know that you are with us always.
As hard as it will be, we will try not to mourn, but to celebrate the life that you had. I know that you are home now.

    To Donna's family I send my deepest sympathy. She will be missed by us all.
          Love Chris Recco

[coogeegirl]

I am sending my condolences to Johnny and it is good to know she is now free of pain and at peace

Jenny

[PPhelps]

I really never got to know Donna, but her posts were always so heartfelt. She made you feel like she was your friend no matter that she really didn't know you. I will miss her posts greatly. Paula

[Cindy809]

Even though our friendship was just beginning I had a deep connection to you.  Thank you for reaching out to me first at this forum.  I will miss you.  You were such a kind sweet lady.  Johnny, I will be praying for the strength you will need during this difficult time.  God Bless you...Cindy

[OzBron]

Even though I didn't have the chance to know Donna personally, I am so saddened by this loss. Donna made such an impact on so many people and she will be truly missed. Though I wish it could, nothing I say can bring comfort to Donna's friends and family or change anything. The stark reality of this terrible disease, is so hurtful and upsetting know matter how you try to prepare. I am glad that Donna is at peace . . . . .

[bohan54]

I am grateful to have known Donna through this forum and would be honored to contribute to a scholarship in her memory.  

Sharon

[bmcd]

God Speed Donna, you are now free of pain and worry.  God bless you and your family.  Rest now brave warrior.

Bob

[Tybear]

Although we all knew this day was coming, It's still such a shock. I'm so very sad that we've lost yet another wonderful woman to this disease.
Donna was an inspiration to all of us here and I know she will continue to cheer us on from the other side.
Be at peace Donna...
With much love,
Becky

[silver&gold]

Donna will be sadly missed but remembered with love. Sending prayers of strength to Johnny and family .

Love Angie



All Is Well
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

By Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

[lvfrogs]

Jan, I have been dreading this day but I do thank you for letting us know and for being such a compassionate woman to all of us on here and for being a wonderful friend for Donna. I feel like you took all of us with you when you visited and for that I am forever grateful. I would like to donate to a scholarship - how very kind of you to think of that.

For Donna,
I am so glad that you are no longer suffering and that you are at peace and with God. Although we didn't meet in person, you reached out to me through your pain and offered love and friendship. I am a lucky woman to have known you.  I will forever think of you when I see all the wildlife around me.  God Bless You and Johnny.

Love,
Colleen