Aunt Joan,
I know you, Grandma, Grandpa and my Mom and sister Dawn are all up there watching over us. I miss all of you so much. I remember walking over to visit you and Uncle Dick when my kids were little. I will always have those wonderful memories. And all the times at the cottage when I was growing up. I love you all.
Your Niece, Sherrie

Nice that you keep this open Vicki. Although entries may slow down, it certainly doesn't mean she is forgotten. How could she be,she made a huge impact on many lives. Anyone she touched will not forget her every wonderful quality that made her so special. I can only imagine she is making heaven an even better place. We can all aspire to have the same impact on our own family and friends. Hopefully the rest of this year proves to be more ups then downs for you and know that you can always chat with your mom here. Don't ever think she is not looking over you guys.

Hello?? (some of you will get that, LOL)

Oh, Mom, been a tough time of it.  So many things this past year - ups and downs - make me miss you more than usual and wish you were still here.  It seems like every passing year, or day sometimes, makes your absence bigger and stronger and harder to believe.  I hope you know how much you are missed and that it is so much more than you might have ever imagined. I wish I could trade places with you - your family needs you.  I love you, Momma.  Always have, always will.

Vicki

I still miss you so much Gramma.  It's surprising all the little things that make me think of you so often.  
Buppa said you're watching over someone for me and I really hope that's true.  Hopefully you're keeping each other company and laughing at all the silly things we do down here.  
Hugs and kisses, love you.

Everytime I think of my own mom, I think of all the people that have already lost theirs and then I realize how lucky I am that mine is still here with us. Never take your parents for granted as they are special people that wanted to have kids to mold them into an even better likeness of themselves. This book is a testament of the people that saw that in her. I'm sure she is thinking " don't worry about me, I'll see you when you get here"

Dear Gramma,

It has been 3 years already, how time gets away from us.  It is summer again and every time I see a snap dragon I immediatly think of you.  Every time Clara says grammy, I think of you.  So many daily reminders of the beautiful woman you were.  I miss you so so much and I sure wish you could meet Clara.  She is such an amazing little girl. Thank you for everything you taught me about being a mom, a good person and a kind soul.  I will never forget you or the lessons.  Love you with all my heart today and always.

Well, Momma -- gotta decide whether or not I'm ready to close this book.  I know not much gets written here anymore but it's kind of nice being able to write to you.  I'm ridiculous.  I know. That hasn't changed.  I miss you so much - every day.  Some days all I want is my mommy!!!  I hope you know how much you are missed by all of us.  Been 3 years, you think it might've eased up some.  I love you Mom.  Always have, always will.

Vicki

She sure left behind many people that loved her dearly. She will never be forgotten as she touched so many lives. She is still here in spirit and is missed by all.  The Fedel family.

Hey Grandma, Me and the family miss you. You are still on our minds and in our prayers. Love you. Jacob

Momma.  I miss you.  Every Day.  That hasn't changed one little bit.  Funny to think about those times we couldn't stand to be within 6 ft of one another and now, I'd settle for that in a heartbeat.  

Had a talk with Nate recently and he was looking at a picture of you and he told me "that's my grandma, but she's not here, she slept too long and now she can't wake up . . . but she sees me and she knows when I had a good day at school."  Bless his little heart.  Bet you thought he was too young to think about you.

Anyhow, just wanted to say hi and let you know that in so many ways it seems like just yesterday you "overslept" (thank you, Nate) and some days my heart is so heavy with missing you it seems like forever.  Today is definitely a category 2 day.  I love you.

Vicki

Time passes so fast, but the memories linger forever. We hope Heaven  is everything she hoped it would be and more. With love, the Fedels.

Hello grandma, I can't believe it's coming up on two years already.  This last year I was blessed with the most amazing gift I could have ever asked for.  I became a mom, finally grandma, it happened, after all those years waiting and hoping, it finally happened.  I am thankful for so many reasons that God made me wait but there is one reason that I will always regret not having Clara earlier.  She will never get to meet one of the most amazing woman I have and will ever know, but I know with all my heart that you are watching over her and loving her from above.  I only hope that I can teach her to be the loving, kind, truthful, stong, caring, compassionate, honest woman you were.  I think about you often, I miss you terribly and love you so much.
Always, Amy

And this little person asks about you all the time, he wants to see you and talk to you.  He knows you are watching over him and sometimes that seems to be all he needs.  Sometimes . . . . that's all I need to know too.

Vicki

Wow, it's been a while.  I think about you EVERY day, Momma.  Miss you just as much as the day you left.  So many things I wish we could all share with you and someone I know you are watching over but would love to give hugs and kisses to....

Happy Birthday, Momma.

Love you.  Miss you.  Hug you.  Kiss you.

Vicki

It is so hard to loose Grandparents, much less our Moms and sisters.
My mom, Carol and her Niece Dawn are all up there together. I don't think Dawn quite ever got over my Mom's passing. But now they are together. I will miss all of them so much. It's been 10 years since my mom passed away and it is still hard not to be able to pick up the phone. I believe they are all watching over us.

Thinking of your mom tonight. Vicki,I love your entries. She is surely smiling knowing how much she meant to you. She was a special lady.

I hate this.  I can't believe it's been a year.  I hate missing you so much every day but every day my heart is glad you aren't in pain and aren't having to fight/struggle.  I am glad you are at rest.

However.  Whoever the fool was that said "It takes time. It gets easier." was clinically insane because it does NOT get easier with time.  It just gets different. And it still sucks.

Love you. Miss you. Hug you. Kiss you.

Always.

Vicki

Hi Momma.  It's Mother's Day.  I've been dreading it.  I miss you so much.  Every day.  Such is life . . . and death, I guess.  Here's someone else who misses you but knows you are keeping an eye on him.

Love you, Mom.
Vicki

Hey Mom ....  I sure do miss you alot ...  I swear there is always something that happens, and I think to myself, I gotta ask mom about ....  and then I remember that I cant.  I never imagined that you wouldnt be here with us.  You have no idea how much I love you, and how much I miss you Mom ....  am so sad ...

Happy Birthday, Momma.

LOVE you.  MISS you.  Hug you.  Kiss you.

Lately I've had that theme song to The Courtship of Eddie's Father (tv show) running through my head.  Wasn't sure what brought that on but I figure it's got to be about you, mom.  Yeah, yeah – I'm not Eddie, you're not my father, you might be a one boy cuddly toy (that's a discussion for another day perhaps) and we'd never talked man-to-man or son-to-son . . . other than that?  It's US!  

So sit back, Mom, and let me tell these people ‘bout my best friend.

My mother was an adorable child and a beautiful woman.  She was beautiful inside and out, although she'd argue that with you.  She just didn't understand how beautiful she was.  She was selfless --- always put her kids, her husband, friends and family before herself.  She was ALWAYS there for us, every single one of us, no matter what.

Mom and Dad always welcomed our friends as family, and it's funny because I always wondered why the neighborhood kids would want to hang out at our house when we only wanted to go to theirs!  There are those special few who became family – they were the “adopted kids,” like Tony & Monica.

I remember when we were kids mom would sometimes create outfits for us three girls, me – Sue – Jodi.  All done by her own hands from start to finish and they were smashing! 

One of my warmest memories is waking up on the couch in the living room after having had a pretty serious bike accident, thanks to the neighbor boy, and not really knowing what had happened.  The first thing I saw was the ceiling, but the second thing I saw was mom's face.  She was supposed to be packing so we could all head up north to the cottage but she had moved all that into the living room so she could keep an eye on me and be there when I woke up.  And she was.  She was always there.

I remember shortly after Tyrone was born that Jodi was in the hospital, we didn't know exactly for how long so Ty ended up coming to stay with Gramma so she could take care of him.

When Amy was little she practically lived with us for something like 2 years – and not because she didn't have a home or loving parents, but mom babysat her during the day and sometimes it was just easier to let her stay overnight than have to go back and forth.  There was one stretch during winter when she never left our house for probably a solid week.  It was great.

You can say that any Gramma would do that for her grandchildren but that's not true.  And not many would do it without question, without a minute of thinking of themselves and worrying about what an inconvenience it might be, without hesitation.  But she did, because that is who she was.


I've been watching the Wimbledon tennis tournament this last week or so and missing her so much – we'd always watch the professional tennis tournaments and pick our favorites (often they were the same players but sometimes not) and I've wanted to call her and say “Rafa is out??!?!?!”  “HAH! Sharapova is out!”  “Roger's still in it!!” . . . but I can't.  It's those times, when you have this automatic urge to do something you've done a million times before with her that you miss her the most, simply because that urge doesn't go away as quickly as you might like and it's a reminder that she's not there.

It's occurred to me this last month that we are all pretty much ordinary people living ordinary lives.  We don't think about it, we just do it.  But, as is the case with Mom, sometimes in the course of living those ordinary lives in ordinary fashion doing ordinary things – we become extraordinary.  We become important to other people.  We become someone that another person looks up to and admires, respects, cherishes.  We become someone's rock, someone's advisor, someone's confidant, someone's friend, someone's lover, someone's wife, someone's mother, someone's gramma, someone's great-gramma.  We become so much more than we ever thought we were . . . because we were just ordinary.

Many years ago I heard this quote that struck me as so powerful then but means so much more right now . . . 

“Remember . . . to the world you are one person but to one person you are the world.”

So, people, let me tell you ‘bout my best friend . . . . .

Gramma,

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.  You were a woman of strength, courage, dignity, selflessness and wisdom beyond measure.  I can think of so many beautiful, wonderful memories in my life that I shared with you.  Chicken pox, meant a week with Gramma, Christmas time, Memphis, Casino Trips and most recently Jason and my Wedding, just to name a few.  

You were never more than a phone call away when I needed to talk or an hour drive when I needed some "Gramma Time".  One of the things I miss the most is our late night phone chats.  You always had the best way of listening, understanding and giving great advice.

I will always look up to and admire you for the woman you were.  I only hope that someday, I can be half the mother and grandmother you were.

With all my love,
Amy

All I want to say is thank you.  Thank you Gramma for being so amazing, so loving, always honest, and stubborn as hell.  I am so grateful that I got to have a grandmother like you.  I hope to make you proud.  You are loved and we will all miss you dearly.   - Samantha

While Monica and I were not members of the family, we always were made to feel as though we were.I'm certain this was due to the upbringing from the wonderful parents that wanted nothing in return from their offspring ( only that they always knew that they would always be there for them). Joan's life should be an inspiration to us all.She was so insightful as if she saw into the future.Had we listened to her every word, we probably could have saved ourselves many harsh lessons. She will be surely missed, but never forgotten. May she continue to look over us as the guardian angel that she is and may her family and friends remember her as she was, With Love, The Fedel Family

Hi Mom,
I just wanted you to know that I love you very much and miss you every day. You are my hero and I cherish the extra time we had together. I only wish that I had been around more. I knew this time would come, but you really never expect it. Thanks for every thing you have done for me and everything you will continue to do.

Love Always ~ Jim

Mom, I was not prepared for you to leave so soon, although I know I would never really be prepared. I think of you every day and miss you. I admire the grace and courage that you showed during all of this. Like Vicki, given the opportunity, I would have gladly taken the cancer myself and spared you, but I am sure I would have complained a lot more! I will treasure the friendship that we had and all the fun times we spent together, shopping, gambling, going to the movies and just hanging out and playing games together. I appreciate all that you have done for me and the girls and all the things you taught me along the way. One thing I know that I have done well, is be a mom and that is truly because of the wonderful role model you were!
I love you Mom......always and forever

Dear Mom ...
It's been a month, and it still seems so surreal.  Its so different not having you here.  I miss you so very much, and I hope you know how very much I love you, and always have ....   I know I have never been that perfect daughter, but rather more of a disappointment in alot of ways...  I never meant to be.   I always wanted to be like you.  You had a wonderful husband that loves you, and you were a great mom, and a great grandmother to my children.  I have always tried my best to be a good mom, and it seems that in some respects I have failed in that as well ...  I miss talking to you about things ...  kids, cooking, silly things ...  or just to see how you and daddy were doing.  I keep you in my heart each and every day, and love you with all my heart ... You are very much missed.
Jodi

For the worlds GREATEST Grandma. You have always been there when I needed you. And when I pray, you still are there when I need to talk. Saying I miss you just isn't saying enough.I thank God for blessing me with an extra set of parents. You taught me a lot. I will remember it all as I grow to be a man you can be proud of. Your always in my mind and prayers.  I love you so much. P.S. you can still keep an eye on me.

I love you, Momma.  I miss you so much.  You told me it would get better and I have to believe that you are right.  I hope so anyhow.  Because it's not always about me (insert smiley here) and what I want, I try to take some comfort every day in knowing your struggle is over and you are at peace.  Had it been about me and what I wanted – I'd have taken that horrible disease from you and carried it myself, probably not with as much grace and dignity, but with as much as I could have mustered.  I told you a few times how much you amazed me . . . but did I tell you enough?  I told you I loved you . . . but did I tell you enough?  You were, and are, my best friend and I don't think I was as aware of that every day as I should have been, but I am now.  Somehow I think you always knew.

Travel safe, Momma, as you continue on your journey.  We'll see you again and in the meantime you give Mrs. N. and Aunt Carol a big hug from me, cuz I know they were there to greet you with smiles and open arms, and you three are having coffee and laughing together like fools.  As it should be.

As Whitney would have put it (and I know you are laughing AND trying to cover your ears) . . . Iiiiiieeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii will always love you,
Vicki

Dear uncle Dick and Kids,
Lorie just called me. I had no idea she even had cancer. 
I will always have wonderful loving memories of her and all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with. Love to all, Sherrie (Weis) Larson.

What a wonderful family!  I'll always remember Mom's kindness, thoughtfulness and humor.  Love to Vicki, Dad and the whole family - I'm thinking of you!  -Sandy

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the Dieringer family.  We hope they find peace knowing that Joan is at peace.  All our love to you, Vicki.
- Angie and Kevin Bailey (Kirkland, WA)

Jodi and family, i am so sorry for your loss, just know that mom is now in heaven with our savior and in no more pain. she will be watching over all of you and you will all meet again some day in heaven... i love you all.... kris watson

 I am saddened to hear about Aunt Joan. All of our prayers and thoughts to everyone.
              
                 Love 
          Danny and Cathy Glisson

Pray not for Joan for she is with the Lord...may her daughter Vicki always have beautifull memories of her mother.

OBITUARY

Joan C Weis Dieringer

July 31, 1938 – May 28, 2012

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