What a beautiful legacy Gretchen has left her loved ones.
What a beautiful tribute to a mother from a loving son.
God bless and comfort her family.
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
That is beautiful. Thank you!
Those are very pretty. Gretchen must have had a green thumb.
That’s a great photo, Dolly! Thanks for posting it.
What a beautiful legacy Gretchen has left her loved ones.
What a beautiful tribute to a mother from a loving son.
God bless and comfort her family.
beyond sad...my sincere condolences to her family and friends. I remember how proud she always was of Sabrina’s accomplishments and her eagerness to share them with the Dose friends. She will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace, Gretchen, my prayers are with you and your loved ones.
I did not know her, but my prayers for her family and especially her son. It’s a hard thing to lose a mother, no matter your age.
susie
My granddaughter was in awe of the idea that people from all over the world were praying for her renewed health.
She is fine, now.
May God Bless her for taking that moment among countless others to pray for the health and well being of people from all over.
And May God bless her family as well.
Like many, Gretchen was one of the first to help me to feel welcome when I first arrived at FReerepublic.
I don't know what to say.
My heart goes out to her family and friends and to all of the FReepers that she was so near and dear to.
Condolences to the family.
A stalwart FReeper that shall be missed.
I always enjoyed her comments.
((((Y W Silent One;All: Sad for the reason t’was searched for but happy to find it specifically & especially...))))
This is so sad!! I’ve been praying for her niece, Carrie, since she was in a car accident several months ago. This is so very sad. Her family will continue to be in my prayers.
To: jaycee
God bless and keep you close to His heart.
60 posted on 05/31/2004 10:35:23 AM PDT by GretchenM (No military in the history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of others.-W)
Dolly, I wanted you to see the above. When my husband passed away, I got so many prayers sent up by all the Freepers. Jim R. put the article up for me because I wasn’t sure how to do an article. I have the thread in my bookmarks. I looked for you all but couldn’t find. I did find some familiar names though. It was interesting to look back. GOD HAS GRETCHEN IN HIS CARE NOW AND SHE WILL SUFFER NO MORE. Bless her heart...will remember her son in my prayers.
Sad to hear this. Gretchen was appreciated greatly here; now she’ll take her place in her true Home, minus all the hindrances. You’ve given honor to your Mom. May peace and comfort envelop your family.
Paul
Dear God. I knew she wasn’t fully healthy but had no idea this was even a possibility.
Prayers lifted for her family. Gretchen, Friend, you will be Missed.
I wasn’t even aware of any problems she was having.
May she rest in peace.
Thank you Mark for this email about your Mother.
She was indeed loved here, and was a comfort to many.
When another beloved FR person passed away in 2004, your Mother posted this:
Very sad announcement: Our beloved Freeper RJayneJ has passed away ^
Posted by GretchenEE to JohnHuang2; Brad
On News/Activism ^ 04/18/2004 1:03:15 PM PDT · 183 of 393 ^
JH2, thank you so much for the announcement.
Brad, your mother was one of my favorite folks around here. Her selfless service to this site and the conservative cause, in the midst of lingering illness, was an inspiration to me. I will miss her clarity of mind, faithfulness and many other virtues. Of course, you will miss her more. My condolences to you and all your family.
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This post of hers about RJayneJ could very well be used to illustrate how your Mother was seen here.
May God comfort you and your family at this time.
Thanks for posting that one I had that on my old computer.
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