Hi Pam, Thanks for accepting my friendship request. In that short amount time, my Mommy passed away in Asheville, NC. We were visiting Cam and his family. We are all devastated. She always loved you and I think she would have wanted me to let you know. Love to you.   We are having a Celebration of her life, Thursday the 26th (April 2012) at 6pm at The Mill at Fine Creek. We are working on getting it in the paper.         Jane, Thank you so very much for taking the time to let me know about my darling friend Gwen. She has always had a place in my heart, since we were 4, and I will greatly miss having her on this earth with us. I know you are probably not feeling like it, but when you are able, I would appreciate Knowing the details, and about the funeral/memorial service.,,even if it’s a mass email. Do you want me to post it on the RCHS Class of ’61 site? Is there anyone else you would like me to Let know? My best and big hugs to you. Pam

Dear Linda, A couple of months ago, Gwen was in the hospital with double pneumonia. It took her awhile to get better, but she slowly was on the mend, and doing pretty well. Gwen, Jane and Russell went to Asheville, North Carolina to visit Cam, Laura and their two kids, and to participate in something the grandkids were doing.. Everyone thought Gwen looked great and that she had regained her health. Sometime within the last few days, they had all gone out to dinner. On the way back to Cam’s house, Gwen complained of indigestion. Within a few minutes her lungs and heart had collapsed, and though Cam called an ambulance , by the time it arrived, she had gone without oxygen for several minutes. They kept her on life support for a couple of days. A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held on Thursday, April 26th. In Richmond. They are trying to finish the obit to put in the Richmond, Rapid City and Asheville Newspapers. Gwen spent quite a bit of time doing volunteer work for a Women’s Prison Group, which will be mentioned in the obit. They ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in her name. I’ll give you more info if and or when I get it. I’ll also get emails and addresses. It’s so very strange to have someone who has held down a piece of one’s map of life suddenly be swept away, But I think suddenly is absolutely the best way to go! I emailed a photo of our Brownie Scout Troop to the RCHS page, and another of Gwen, Russell, Jane & Cam larking about in Deadwood in 1981. I found one of Gwen and me at Y camp which I’m going to send along for the heck of it. My best to you, I certainly did enjoy our time together last summer, and pick up bits of info from Linda P now and again. All this is as accurate as I can make it… Ta for now, Pam