She missed this garden very much ... I can only imagine now that God the Father has provided faithful servant with a garden beyond her dreams.
We love you, G.
Posted on 07/31/2007 4:57:53 PM PDT by DollyCali
I just received an Email from her son Mark.
I am Gretchen Erickson's son Mark, and I wanted to let everyone know who loved and appreciated my mother as much as I did that she is no longer with us. One comfort that I do have is the realization that she is no longer in any pain and is with God now. I still hear her resounding infectious laugh ringing in my ears as a constant reminder that she is having a wonderful time in Heaven. As I write this and I look at how many people she had in her contact list it show me that even with her limited physical abilities that she still made such a positive impact on the lives of so many different people throughout the vast expanse of our planet.
I wish I would have had the opportunity to communicate with all of my Mother's friends under circumstances that didn't bring such disparaging news.
At the same time,this turn of events might provide for a chance to hear from those people my Mother provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and general companionship to if the desire exists within those who knew her. From my personal standpoint, I would be greatly honored to hear any stories of how my Mother has inspired or helped anyone of you throughout the journey of your life.
As most of you who knew my Mother were aware, she has been struggling with emotional and physical problems for a very long time. She was feeling very weak and very sick over the last few days. Mike went to check on her the night before last, her body was rejecting the food she had tried to eat but she still appeared stable.
The next morning he went to check on her again and she wasn't in her bed. He then realized how quiet the house was and found her in the bathroom sitting on the floor. He tried CPR but to no avail, to much time had passed as she expired some time that night.
(CLIP ON PERSONAL CONTACT INFO)
My Mother has a very strong spirit that will carry on with those people she had the chance to cross a proverbial path with. I have never met another person that despite their circumstances never focused on how bad things were, but instead always looked for what was yet to come.
I love my Mother more than I can describe in words. She is the greatest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I owe my livelihood, my table manners, my fervor and passion for knowledge, my love for God, and my wit, among many other attributes that would overload the internet if I were to list them all, to her and her alone.
She will live in my memory and my heart until I am once again rejoined with her in Heaven.
Beloved son of Gretchen
Mark
Wow,I had no idea she was ill,I am so sorry Mark.She was a beautiful person.I will miss her.
Heartfelt condolences to the loving family of this beautiful person.
Leni
Whoa - quite a shock, actually. Quite a lady as well. I am personally grateful for the privilege of sharing a few hours of her life. RIP, Gretchen - the Class of ‘98, and all of us, are much the poorer tonight. Prayers for the family.
I haven't stopped crying since I read this thread, I loved her as though I had known her my entire life.
I know we should all be joyful, she is where she belong, among all the other angels, but she will be so missed.
Prayers for Gretchen and her family.
Prayers up. Condolences to her family and friends.
She missed this garden very much ... I can only imagine now that God the Father has provided faithful servant with a garden beyond her dreams.
We love you, G.
Dolly and Mark, this is beyond pain. Gretchen was my friend too, a very kind and loving friend. I have not cried like this in many years.
I knew she was not feeling well, but this...this is too much.
Mark, I’m sorry for your loss, I’m sorry for all of us. This is a huge loss of a dear freeper. Gretchen was a bright and shining light on the dose, a dear kind compassionate freeper.
I really don’t know what to say and never expected this. I am glad Gretchen has no more pain. One of the things we shared was recipes.
My last email from her was 11/2006, she was organizing a card shower for snugs and her dad for Christmas, to console them because snugs mother had died. That is what Gretchen was in life, caring and compassionate.
Ohhh...my....I am shocked.....my husband and I were privileged to share a very nice dinner with Gretchen once when she was house sitting near our home......then she moved north......I’m shocked, but know she is happy in the Lord’s arms now.
Sad News Ping!
Gretchen was a friendly, loving and intelligent presence on the Dose and also in the past on the troop support threads.
I will always be grateful for her prayers when I was ill last year.
It is very hard to watch the Rapture continue to take our dearest FReepers.
Very sorry to hear this news, Dolly. Prayers to Mark and all other family members.
Pinging the Finest List, Singles List and some from the Dose, where she frequented so you might share your memories of GretchenM (formerly GretchenEE)
Amen.
I think we just wrote to one another the other day.
Prayers of strength and hope for the family, and may the presence of the Lord bring peace to all her loved ones.
AMEN.
Very sad to hear this, Gretchen was a delightful personality here on FR, my condolences to your family Mark.
Thank you for posting that photo, Snugs. I only had the one photo of her that Dolly posted at the top of the thread ...
Mark, my deepest condolences. I lost my own mom several months ago, and now that my time of mourning is less, we laugh at those little things that we remember about her. The funny things she said and did. You will remember your mom with joy and laughter too. As for us here on FreeRepublic, well, we have lost one of our own, and her passing leaves an empty spot.
My prayers for your mom, that God grants her soul peace and for you, as you face this difficult time.
Blessings,
sneakers
Oh my goodness. Sorry to hear this news. I enjoyed Gretchen’s comments re WA state when I lived in Seattle. Very sad news indeed.
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