FReeper GretchenM (formerly GretchenEE) has died.

Gretchen's son Mark | 31 July 2007 | DollyCali

[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

[Colorado Buckeye]

This is very unexpected and sad news. On the thread for Carrie, I recall Gretchen mentioning that she wasn’t doing so well at one point, but I had no idea that it was a life threatening situation. Gretchen seemed to be a very good person doing all she could to help her distressed cousin. She will be missed as a poster but I’m sure that she will be reading this from her new high and peaceful perch. Prayers for Gretchen and her family.

[EmilyGeiger]

Oh no! I am sorry to hear this. Prayers for her family.

[EmilyGeiger]

Thanks for the ping jonny, I would have missed this if you hadn’t sent the ping. The dose will not be the same. :(

[DollyCali]

Oh dear Julie, that is beautiful! and I am so sorry about Richard’s death. I had not heard. I knew the time was short. Jtill lost her husband recently also - there are many dear FReeper ladies who are recent widows.. Our dear Gretchen will keep them all straight until you join them!

[DCPatriot]

How terrible to hear this!

DAMN!

[altura]

Thanks for the ping, Dolly. I just read about Gretchen on another forum and was so shocked.

I knew her only from the dose, but I felt I knew her.

Unlike many of us, me included, she did not talk much about her problems. I had no idea she was that ill.

I am so sorry about her passing. We’ll miss her!

[sionnsar]

WA Freepers,

One of ours, GretchenEE aka GretchenM, has gone home to be with our Lord.

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.

Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

Then the Minister shall say one or more of the following Prayers, at his discretion.

O GOD, whose mercies cannot be numbered; Accept our prayers on behalf of the soul of thy servant departed, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[silent_jonny]

Hi, EG

The dose will not be the same. :(

It sure won't :(

[Judith Anne]

I am so surprised! I had no idea Gretchen was sick, and now I’m wondering if I missed reading about it somewhere.

She was an inspiration to me on the Carrie thread, and I always looked for her pings...

Dear Lord, please bless her family and friends with Your consolation.

Gretchen, I miss you.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Prayers for Gretchen and her family.

[Clemenza]

A truly lovely person. She will be missed. :-(

[EmilyGeiger]

She was a loving and giving person. I most remember her giving of her time to help tutor a young girl with her reading and talking of how much the child’s self-esteem had grown. I remember thinking how sweet for her to do this and that this little girl will treasure her special friend who was willing to take the time to help. That act of kindness will always be with that little girl.

She will be missed.:( She was a comforting force on FR. She always had a kind and gentle word. I don’t believe I ever saw her lose her cool or temper. :) And we all know how hard that can be on some of the threads. :)

[StarCMC]

Prayers for Gretchen’s family - she will be missed. So sad.

[6323cd]

From another of the Class of 1998:

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other
That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
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 effort,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am
Out of sight? I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)

[Lexinom]

Rest in peace, sister. You're in a far better place now than the rest of us. You'll be missed.

To the family: Your mother was a godly influence on FR, uncompromisingly strong on matters of God's law and desire. She died far too soon, but she's now in His blessed hands. She has finished her race, and received her Heavenly reward. You have every reason to be proud of your mom, based on her contributions here on this forum. We will all miss her.

[RockinRight]

I only saw Gretchen a few times here and there, we either didn’t frequent the same threads, or were simply on different times.

However, based on the contact I did have with her, and what everyone here is saying, it’s obvious we’ve lost an amazing person.

RIP, Gretchen. You will be missed.

[Earthdweller]

Until we meet in the Father's arms Gretchen....

You touched so many lives here. RIP.

[trussell]

RIP Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to GretchenM; DollyCali

Rest in Peace
 Gretchen

My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of Gretchen.  

Mark, thank you so much for sharing your mother with us. Thank you for letting us know of the loss of our friend.

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[Lexinom]

Sad ping. She was the last to respond to the prayer thread for your recovery. She’ll be missed.

[eeevil conservative]

This has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard a son be able to share about his mother....

a testament to her awesome spirit to have a son so able to share so eloquently her true spirit and contribution to so many....

His words and heart are just a sample of the legacy she has given to this world.

May God bless all the things she did in His honor.

I know I was always blessed by her shared thoughts on this forum. I can only imagine the impact she she has had on those that knew her in person.

We will miss her, but Heaven is a much brighter place with her in it.