join us for our memorial walk & action at the … 2020 10.pdf · birthday table: we remember...
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VOLUME 2, ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2020
SUMMERTIME MEMORIESThe Compassionate Friends 21st A
JOIN US FOR OUR MEMORIAL WALK & ACTION AT THE CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL GARDEN
OCT 24TH AT 10:00 **********************************************************
Chapter Plans Meeting at Children’s Memorial Garden
While we were all locked in our homes and restricted from our normal
lives, many of us had to find new ways to cope and learn things we never
thought we would do. I feel like I am preaching to the choir, but I want all
you to know what it means to us to finally meet in person once again. The
camaraderie we share among our members is like no other organization.
As we look back to how we have conformed to the “New Norm,” we have
all learned so much. We have learned how to ZOOM. We have had a
personal appearance from Alan Pedersen, we have had a local singer
perform, and we have incorporate inspirational songs and music to help us
in our grief journey. While we certainly miss our group sessions, our cake
cutting, our refreshments, it is time we move forward. Our goal is to
STAY SAFE and with that in mind, your steering committee has agreed
that we should meet for our October meeting in an outside setting. What a
more perfect place than our own Children’s Memorial Garden in Lafreniere
Park. We will meet for 6:00 pm. The earlier time is necessary due to the
anticipated sunset is 6:30 pm, so I would like us to arrive while daylight.
Social distancing and safety cautions will be observed. Hand-sanitizer will
be available. We will not supply Birthday cake, refreshments, nor will we
display our picture boards. I will supply iced bottled water. We ask that
everyone bring his or her own chair. It will be dark when we leave, so I
would recommend a flashlight if your phone does not have that capability.
If weather requires us to cancel the meeting, we will meet via ZOOM.
ZOOM invite will be in attached flyer. I will also supply an additional
ZOOM meeting invite for the third Monday for those who cannot make the
outside meeting in our garden. We are sincerely looking forward to
meeting our members this October at the Children’s Memorial Garden.
William and Millie Hunton, Co-Chapter Leaders In memory of Chelsea Hunton
TCF, Greater New Orleans ******************************************************** The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. ************************************************************************************************************
BIRTHDAY TABLE: We remember birthdays every month which can be found on “Our Children Remembered”
page. We do encourage both you and your family to come when it is your child’s birthday month, to share
your child with all of us with photos and memories. You will receive a special birthday gift in memory of your
child. Bring that treasured picture of your child that always makes you smile so we may smile with you.
Chapter Leaders: William and Millie Hunton 504-265-0581 Email address: [email protected]
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING:
October 12, 2020
Children’s Memorial
Garden 6:00 – 8:00 pm See attached flyer
2nd Monday of every month
East Jefferson Hospital
4200 Houma Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
On the 1st floor, adjacent to the
Hudson St. Garage, Esplanade III
room
UPCOMING MEETINGS: 13 Jan 20 10 Feb 20 9 Mar 20
13 Apr 20 11 May 20 8 Jun20
13 Jul 20 10 Aug 20 14 Sep 20
12 Oct 20 9 Nov 20 14 Dec 20
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Denise St. Pierre
504-460-2970
NATIONAL OFFICE
The Compassionate Friends
PO Box 700
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
www.compassionatefriends.org
877-969-0010
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Newsletter Submissions: TCF Greater New Orleans welcomes all submissions to our
newsletter. Send articles, poetry, love messages and scanned photos to: TCF GNO, 1104 Colony Rd., Metairie, LA 70003. You may also text photos and messages to 504-251-1938. As
our chapter is only funded by your donations, we ask for a donation of $15 or more for a
dedication for our newsletter. This is tax-deductible. We reserve the right to edit for space and/or
content. Deadline for submissions is listed below. TCF Chapters may copy articles from this
publication provided credit is given to the author and the original source. Errors and Omissions:
Please notify me if any of your information is incorrect. Thank you!
Love Gifts/Dedications to be put in the October newsletter are due September 20th!!!
A Newsletter Dedication: is a special page dedicated in memory of your child with any
favorite poem or writing that you submit.
A Love Gift: is a short one or two sentence message in your child’s memory.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday October 24, 2020 Walk and Auction
Our only fundraiser!!
To all those newly bereaved, who are receiving this newsletter for
the first time and to all our Compassionate Friends, we wish you
were not eligible to belong to this group, but we want you to know
that you and your family have many friends. We, who received
love and compassion from others in our time of deep sorrow, now
wish to offer the same support and understanding to you. Please
know we understand, we care, and we want to help. You are not alone in your grief.
Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at East Jefferson Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., 1st floor adjacent to the Hudson St. garage at 7:00 P.M. We are a self-sustaining
organization with no funds except what we receive through
donations from members and newsletter recipients. Please join
with us at a meeting.
Grief support after the death of a child
The Compassionate Friends is a national non-profit, self-help
support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope
to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. There is no religious
affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees.
The secret of TCF's success is simple: As seasoned grievers reach
out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward
begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal.
The vision of The Compassionate Friends is that everyone who
needs us will find us and everyone who finds us will be helped.
Big Thanks to Our Steering Committee
Contact: Phone: (504) 265-0581
Email: [email protected]
www.tcfneworleans.com
1104 Colony Rd
Metairie, LA 70003
Chapter Leader William Hunton
Chapter Co-Leader Millie Hunton
Special Advisor Denise St. Pierre
Treasurer Linda Provance
Facilitator Debi Giordano
Newsletter Editor William Hunton
Webmaster William Hunton
Steering Committee: William Hunton, Millie Hunton,
Denise St. Pierre, Debi Giordano, Jan Dutilh,
Linda Provance, and Dena Peters.
Denise St. Pierre, Regional Coordinator
(504) 460-2970
TCF National (877) 969-0010
www.compassionatefriends.org
The Meeting Agenda
7:00 p.m. - The meeting will begin with a short introduction
followed by lighting of candle and then reading of the Credo.
Remembering our children’s birthdays of the month. Then
followed by smaller groups of sharing.
9:00 p.m. - Meeting will close by recognizing our children’s
names. Feel free to visit with each other and check out a book
from our library.
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Memorial Walk / Auction
See Attached Flyer
The Greater New Orleans TCF Chapter is sponsoring
a Children’s Memorial Walk on October 24, 2020 at
Lafreniere Park in Metairie, LA to raise funds for the
operating expenses of our chapter.
Due to the business shutdowns during the COVID-
19 pandemic, many businesses who would have
normally supported our yearly event will not be able
to. If we are going to have a successful fundraiser
this year then WE ARE GOING TO NEED YOUR
HELP.
This letter is to ask YOU, our MEMBERS, to help us
make our Children’s Memorial Walk a great success.
We are asking for a donation. All donations are tax
deductible and will be acknowledged. For cash
donations please make checks payable to The
Compassionate Friends GNO. Non-cash items
donated will be auctioned off at our auction
following the Children’s Memorial Walk
We greatly appreciate any help you can give us.
Please feel free to contact me to arrange a donation.
William Hunton – 504-251-1938
The Greater New Orleans TCF Chapter has been
helping bereaved families in the Greater New
Orleans area for over 20 years. Our operating
expenses include the following: chapter meetings
once a month at East Jefferson General Hospital;
printing and mailing a Newsletter each month; and
maintenance of our beautiful Children’s Memorial
Garden in Lafreniere Park, Metairie, LA. We also
sponsor three events each year that are open to the
public: a Butterfly Release; Memorial Walk in
remembrance of our children; and a Worldwide
Candle Lighting Ceremony.
Will you please join with our chapter and TCF in our
mission to assist families toward a positive resolution
of grief following the death of a child?
William and Millie Hunton, Co-Chapter Leaders,
In memory of Chelsea Hunton TCF, Greater New Orleans
THE REASON FOR TCF MEETINGS
One could ask, “Why go and listen to the woes of other
people when it is easier to get wrapped up in our own?”
It is not to compare tragedies, nor assess the right or wrong means of grieving, nor to pressure or complicate
or confuse a bereaved parent with timetables of grief.
This is not the reasoning behind TCF meetings.
When a child of a family dies, the emotional pain can be
intense. It is tempting at times to try to run either into
solitude or avoidance. A balance is needed to survive and live more than a resigned existence. Finding a way
isn’t easy when the “rest of the world” rushes by, taking
little notice that our life has changed.
The monthly meetings of The Compassionate Friends is
a special time we can set aside to gain and maintain our
balance. We need a lot of encouragement to endure and experience our emotions and to express ourselves while
grieving. Coming to a meeting can help alleviate the
feeling of being alone in sorrow. The environment of other bereaved parents offers a means of keeping in
touch with reality, in which there can be a sharing and
mutual understanding. There is sustained support knowing that others are willing to acknowledge that
though a child’s song might be over, the melody of
memories will remain woven throughout the remainder
of our lives. N. Hunt
TCF Sioux Falls, SD
I'm Beginning
I'm beginning to know your children
From the things I heard you tell.
From the pictures that you've brought here
I think I know them well
Our hurt and sorrow are immense
I'm not sure where to start.
Compassion after all is
Your Pain in my heart.
My thanks to you for listening
To words wrung from my soul.
We are The Compassionate Friends
That's all I need to know.
Jack Brown
TCF Louisville
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LOVE GIFT DEDICATION IN MEMORY OF
Colin O’NeillColin O’NeillColin O’NeillColin O’Neill
October 15, 1972 - October 9, 2015
A Moment
A glimpse of fair skin, dark hair, dark rimmed glasses - my heart leapt, I smiled.
It was not you, for you are only in my dreams and your face in the photos I love.
A moment, just a fleeting moment of joy and it was gone.
How easily I could adjust to your being in this world again, how very easy.
Not to be.
This is the 9th, a painful day, repeated monthly. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Mother’s Day soon, will miss celebrations made special and face that day with
grief and sadness until the end of me.
Love Ma ***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Footprints in the Sand
There was a day of sunshine,
when you followed after me.
Bare feet in cool sand.
Small prints skipping
through swirls of foam upon the shore.
Even as we danced and laughed
The waves crashed against the rocks.
Yet when I looked behind us
Only smooth sand remained.
People have ceased to speak of you
and grow uncomfortable when I do.
But I refuse to let them, like the sea…
erase your memory.
Karen Nelson TCF, Box Elder County, UT
******************************************************************************************************
BIRTHDAY CAKE: Our child’s birthday is still such an important day to us bereaved parents. In TCF this is
where we can celebrate our child’s birthday and remember the love we still have for them no matter how long it
has been since they died. Our chapter is now offering you the chance to sponsor the birthday cake for the month
of your child’s birthday. You may do so by calling William Hunton (504) 265-0581 to order the cake through
East Jefferson Hospital. The cost for the cake is $40. This way we can all celebrate your child’s birthday.
NOTICE: Members who can receive our monthly newsletter by email instead of regular mail, please let us know. This
would be more cost effective for our chapter funds if your newsletter was delivered in this manner. It also would cut down the time it takes to fold, stuff, stamp and put the labels on each newsletter. If you do not have access to email you
may still receive your newsletter by regular mail. Please help us to reduce the cost of mailing out Newsletters each
month. In order to do this, you can email me your email address so that your newsletter will be emailed to you. You can
email me at [email protected]
Also, please let us know if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter or if there is a change of address.
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LOVE GIFT DEDICATION IN MEMORY OF
Shawn Michael RomeShawn Michael RomeShawn Michael RomeShawn Michael Rome
October 31, 1978 - October 5, 2006
My Shawn, words cannot say how much I miss and love you. I speak of you a lot to your
daughter Gabby, and your nephews Arden and Ayden. Ayden loves to hear stories about you.
For his birthday, he asked for a picture of you. So I gave him one, he loved it. Katie also has a
picture of you in her home.
It has been 14 years since you have left us. I wish I could have had one more hug and kiss from
you.
Your birthday is also near. Halloween, October 31st. You would have been 42 this year.
Happy Birthday my Shawn, Love you so much,
Mom, Dad, Gabby, Katie, Ayden, and Arden
********************************************************************************************
*Important Chapter Information*
BRICKS: The chapter takes orders for engraved brick twice a year, for the Butterfly Release in April and then
again for the Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony in December. The deadline to order bricks will be on
November 1, 2020 for the WWCL on Dec. 13, 2020.
William Hunton is now our Chapter’s webmaster. He would like to add some updated pictures to our website.
If you have any pictures of our events that you would like added to the website please send to
[email protected]. Thank you for your continued support of our chapter. And a big thank you to William for
being our webmaster in memory of his daughter Chelsea Hunton.
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LOVE GIFT DEDICATION IN MEMORY OF
LEE RUSSELL CENTANNI, JR.
10-16-42 - 02-23-01
WHY BUTTERFLIES
Since early times, the butterfly has symbolized renewed life. The caterpillar signifies life here on
earth; the cocoon, death; and the butterfly, the emergence of the dead into a new, beautiful and
freer existence. Frequently, the butterfly is seen with the word “Nika,” which means victory.
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross movingly tells of seeing butterflies drawn all over the walls of the
children’s dormitories in the World War II concentration camps. Since Elisabeth believes in the
innate intuitiveness of children, she concludes that these children knew their fate and were leaving
us a message. Many members of The Compassionate Friends embrace the butterfly as a symbol –
a sign of hope to them that their children are living in another dimension with greater beauty and
freedom – a comforting thought to many. *****************************************************************************************
This year will be 19 years since you died. You would be so proud of your family – your wife
Marilyn, your children Kevin and Tara and your son-in-law Louis. You never got to see your
two grandchildren – Max and Maylee. You would have been a good and loving grandfather.
Everyone loves and misses you.
Your loving sister Judy Centanni Bonura and your brother-in-law Dominick Bonura.
*****************************************************************************************
THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS CREDO WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE. WE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS. WE REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER WITH LOVE, WITH UNDERSTANDING, AND WITH HOPE.
THE CHILDREN WE MOURN HAVE DIED AT ALL AGES AND FROM MANY DIFFERENT CAUSES, BUT OUR LOVE FOR THEM UNITES US. YOUR PAIN BECOMES MY PAIN,
JUST AS YOUR HOPE BECOMES MY HOPE. WE COME TOGETHER FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, FROM MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. WE ARE A UNIQUE FAMILY
BECAUSE WE REPRESENT MANY RACES, CREEDS, AND RELATIONSHIPS. WE ARE YOUNG, AND WE ARE OLD. SOME OF US ARE FAR ALONG IN OUR GRIEF, BUT
OTHERS STILL FEEL A GRIEF SO FRESH AND SO INTENSELY PAINFUL THAT THEY FEEL HELPLESS AND SEE NO HOPE. SOME OF US HAVE FOUND OUR FAITH TO BE A
SOURCE OF STRENGTH, WHILE SOME OF US ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND ANSWERS. SOME OF US ARE ANGRY, FILLED WITH GUILT OR IN DEEP DEPRESSION, WHILE
OTHERS RADIATE AN INNER PEACE. BUT WHATEVER PAIN WE BRING TO THIS GATHERING OF THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS, IT IS PAIN WE WILL SHARE, JUST AS
WE SHARE WITH EACH OTHER OUR LOVE FOR THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIED. WE ARE ALL SEEKING AND STRUGGLING TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR OURSELVES, BUT
WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING A FUTURE TOGETHER. WE REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO SHARE THE PAIN AS WELL AS THE JOY, SHARE THE ANGER AS
WELL AS THE PEACE, SHARE THE FAITH AS WELL AS THE DOUBTS, AND HELP EACH OTHER TO GRIEVE AS WELL AS TO GROW. WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE. WE
ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS.
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LOVE GIFT DEDICATION IN MEMORY OF
Rosalie Miranda Fournett
October 25, 1985-June 15, 2016
A POEM FOR MY DAUGHTER
I love you now, as I so loved you then
your Spirit is with me forever
When you were born all of heaven sang out
Joyous that we were together
Your eyes twinkled bright as a billion stars
Your lashes brushed sweet angel's kisses
As you snuggled so warmly against my neck
So serenely, you gave me such bliss
As I stroked your head, very gently My Dear
Your hair felt as soft as down feathers
Your fingers, so tiny, wove tightly with mine
Rainbow's end couldn't give me more treasure
I remember you now, I'll remember you when
every day and each night begins
You're a part of my soul, every beat of my heart
I promise, My Darling, Amen Karinelyn Paul
Broomfield, CO
In Memory of my daughter, Katrina
Missing you so much,
Isabel(Mommy), Jacolbi, Jacob, Jonah, Josiah(The Fantastic 4), Chacho, and Gary.. ***************************************************************************************************************
PHONE
FRIEND
LIST
Our listeners are willing to listen, understand, and share.Our listeners are willing to listen, understand, and share.Our listeners are willing to listen, understand, and share.Our listeners are willing to listen, understand, and share. 504-454-3293 – Melva Duhon, son, 41, suicide 504-456-8248 – Patsy Ashton, son, 24, drug overdose 504-559-2438 – Jaimie Kimball, sibling, 12, vehicle accident 504-265-0581 – William and Millie Hunton, daughter, 30,
accidental overdose
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October Birthdays
October Anniversaries
Olivia Baker Oct 2 Daughter of Crystal Baker
Shawn Michael Rome Oct 5 Son of Kathy and Allen Rome; Brother of Katie; Father of Gabriella
Kurt D. Fleming Oct 6 Son of Susan and Samuel Fleming; Brother of Chevis, Derick and Sam, Jr.
Beau Benjamin Serpas Oct 8 Son of Cari and Steven Serpas
Jacob Charles Powell Oct 9 Son of Kathryn Powell; Brother of Anthony
Colin O’Neill Oct 9 Son of Melanie O’Neill
K.C. Heckathorn Oct 14 Son of Betty Cefalu
Todd William Risher Oct 14 Son of Anita and Wayne Risher
Raegan Michelle Oct 14 Daughter of Tiffany Bordelon
Keilon J. Barnes, Sr. Oct 15 Son of Brenda D. Barnes
Chelsea Marie Hunton Oct 17 Daughter of Millie and William Hunton
Amina Gerhart Hambrick Oct 17 Daughter of Monika Gerhart-Hambrick
Ann Margaret Eaker Oct 23 Daughter of Helene Toney
Ryan Plattsmier Oct 29 Son of Randy Plattsmeir
Korey Patrick Spindel Oct 29 Son of Judy and Keith, Sr.; Brother of Keith Jr.
Eris Peters Oct 30 Daughter of Dena Peters
Thomas A. Arbon, Jr. Oct 30 Son of Sandy & Tommy Arbon, Sr.; Br of Mike; Father of Tommy III
Ryan Patrick Sanders Oct 30 Son of Roxie Sanders
Joseph Leif Armstrong Oct 31 Son of Joe Armstrong
Adam William Conkey Oct 3 Son of Julie Conkey; Br of Alex & Matthew; Grandson of Janie and Bill Munch
Joseph “Joe” Sauvinet Oct 5 Son of Sherry and Eric Sauvinet; Brother of Malissa
Ryan Neider Oct 7 Son of Margaret Neider
Beau Benjamin Serpas Oct 8 Son of Cari and Steven Serpas
Anne Woodfin Oct 9 Daughter of Anna Belle and John Loeb
Terrance P. Anderson Oct 11 Son of Beulah S. Anderson
Eileen LaPorte Mustacchia Oct 13 Daughter of Catherine O. LaPorte
Raegan Michelle Oct 14 Daughter of Tiffany Bordelon
Freddie Nichols III Oct 14 Son of Renee White
Colin O’Neill Oct 15 Son of Melanie O’Neill
Ana Marie Oct 15 Daughter of Carmen Sanchez Colon
Lee Russell Centanni, Jr. Oct 16 Brother of Judy Bonura
Rebecca (Beca) DeMuth Oct 16 Daughter of Kathy and Wilton MeMuth
David Joseph Sisolak, Jr. Oct 19 Son of Janell and David Sisolak, Sr., Brother of Mindy Parrish
Hallie Kathleen Espenan Oct 23 Daughter of Tracie Espenan
Rosalie M. Fournett Oct 25 Daugher of Isabel Miranda-Vigne
Jayla Rae Cook Oct 27 Daughter of Bobbie Mason; Sister of Jessica
Matthew Boudreaux Oct 28 Son of Julie and Ronnie Hemenway
Gerard “Jed” Schulin Oct 29 Son of Cynthia and Gerard Schulin
Cherie Ann Tibbs Drumm Oct 31 Daughter of Brenda Cooper
Shawn Michael Rome Oct 31 Son of Kathy and Allen Rome; Brother of Katie; Father of Gabriella
Paul Charles Fleming III Oct 31 Son of Courtney & Paul Fleming; Br of Madeline, Caroline & Jake;
Grandson of Gary Fleming
Brian Storms Oct 31 Son of Barbara Storms
Benjamin C. Holtsclaw Oct 31 Son of Leslie Wolf Holtsclaw